"Fight for the people and the things you love,

no matter what task or risk you may face,

it will be worth it! "

🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷

The slow pace of the car as it travelled through the Lazy Point Rd intensified my frustrations. I'm already infuriated at the thought of being separated with Clara Bell, but I had to. She needs to be there for the preliminary trial, though not necessarily, and I need to do something.

I pulled the phone away from my ears briefly as I leaned in a little, eyes on the rearview mirror trying to catch the temporary driver's eyes my secretary sent me while Langdon is out for a while.

He seemed pre-occupied while driving and it irked me even more. "Is there a reason you're driving at a snail's pace?" I barked at the driver, dropping back my back against the plush leather seat in the backseat, pulling my hand with the phone closer, back to my right ear.

I caught his eyes briefly before he shifted it back on the road. "I apologize, Mr. Demakis," he replied, his voice cracked a little. The car jerked softly as it speeds up and I focused back my attention on the other line.

"Langdon, you mentioned that Tamera Dominguez or Maria Corazon Santos is with Helena Ratskin?"

"Yes, Sir while the case is ongoing. She's also under the protection of the authority."

I felt my phone vibrated followed but a soft beep but I ignored it. It could be an email or a text, but that can wait. My whole attention was now glued on Langdon on the other line.

"It's a theft, not a murder. Yes, it is a grand felony, but still..." My teeth clamped trying to tamp down the growing anger rising in my chest. "They are sure too scared," I muttered, mostly to myself but Langdon heard it clear.

"I believe it's Mr. Valiente's past and it's catching up to him. Apparently, he made a lot of enemies during his prime," Langdon explained. "The lawyer representing Mrs. Ratskin is Angelo Bermudez's lawyer, a top dog lawyer in the States."

My back straightened as I absorbed all the information Langdon is feeding me. "Isn't he Aunt Enna's estranged brother?" I asked. My eyes darted together, brows in a deep frown as I recalled something about aunt Enna's estranged brother whom they stopped seeing for more than 25 years. I was just passing by to talk to Lucas and congratulate him as the new CEO of the Santorini's bank, during his Inauguration party. He was standing close to his mom when I briefly heard about him.

"Yes. He's the CEO of the Bermudez Chains of Casinos."

"Why would he let his lawyer represents her? It's not a corporate related case. And is he related to her?" I asked. Free hand on my thigh, with my index finger absentmindedly tapping my left thigh with the same rhythm.

"His lawyer is also a Defense lawyer. No, they are not related, but Angelo is one of the Ratskin's friends. And he is one of Mr. Valiente's enemy. The reason he was estranged to the family who raised him. He was imprisoned for abduction. He kidnapped Mr. Rafael Valiente's wife," Langdon explained further. My free hand unconsciously lifted up to my temples and massaged it. Suddenly, my head hurt. I never know about all these, not that I'm interested before.

The car jerked slowly to a stop. I dropped my hand and sat upright. I climbed out of the back when the car door opened up, the new driver holding the door. He tipped his head slightly down briefly and I just cocked my head to the side, signalling him to go.

I heard a soft thud of the car door behind me as I strode away and towards the entrance door of our parent's mansion.

I absentmindedly shook my head. My mind still wrapping around the news. "He was indeed a very infamous back then," I murmured. And the thought that Aunt Enna's estranged brother getting his revenge through Clara Bell, fresh waves of anger shot through me.

"Mr. Bermudez is trying to get his revenge through her," I seethed with anger rolling through me.

"I believe so," Langdon replied briefly.

"Listen, Langdon. I will be flying to LA tonight. I need you to pick me up at the tarmac and while waiting, trace Ms. Preira's whereabout. I'm going to give her a visit," I ordered.

"Noted, Sir," came his reply. I heard shuffling sounds in the background as I ended the call.

My eyes dropped on the screen and it was Cornick, trying to reach me but I was on another call, so he just sent an email.

I decided to call my secretary, Emily. Emily replaced Andrea, my dad's long time secretary. When dad passed down the company to me, she also retired.

The call connected.

"Stavros Demakis Of—"

"Emily, it's me," I started cutting through her sentences. I climbed up the wide brick up-steps that lead to the front double door of our mansion and rang the bell.

I could feel Emily panicking on the other line. "I'm leaving to LA tonight. I need you to contact the Victoria Secret CEO and connect me to her as soon as you reach her. And also, I'm gonna fax you some photos, I need you make copies of each men, and send it to their places, ASAP. I will email you their names and find their addresses. It shouldn't be hard as they are elites,"

"Copy, Sir."

I ended the call. I tapped on my cellphone screen while waiting for the door to open. Opening the first email on my inbox, and then started reading Cornick's email.

...

Two days later...

I was staring at the scene below through the glass wall over 200 ft tall. The morning star appeared brightly, a golden blanket that stretched out across the horizon. Warm rays like a golden arms embracing the small and towering buildings, bustling cars and hustling people in every direction, an everyday scene I am so familiar with.

My mind was brought back to why I was here. This is the last place I wanna be, and a sick feeling swirled in my stomach. I dreaded to come here but there are things I need to get it done. One thing is to get the truth out of her mouth.

I had to wait for two days before I see her. I know she had been hiding from me, from us.

"Alex!"

I turned to face that excited voice, choking back that anger that's about to resurface. My jaws tightened as I watched Claire bounced towards me. Her face filled with greasepaint that looks almost like a mud smothered on her face.

"What a nice surprise!" she exclaimed as she flung herself onto me, I was taken aback, but my legs instinctively stepped backward. Our bodies didn't connect but I caught her on her arms before she fall, though I should have let her, but then it is not how I was raised.

"I know you will come back," she giggled and my eyebrows darted together. I quickly dropped her hands and buried them inside my black trouser's pockets before I grab her neck.

As soon as she saw the seriousness on my face, her smile disappeared.

"I'm not here for you," I said through gritted teeth. "You know why I am here." I stated bluntly not caring that glint of sadness that briefly crossed her eyes.

"Playing the hero of Clara Bell, I see." Her lips curled into a smirk. Her hands crossed on her chest.

"I have to be, as I'm to be her husband." I smirked. I didn't wanna say it, but it's the only way to say that I'm serious about Clara Bell. About protecting the people I love.

The smirk plastered on her face gone as fast as it came. Her shoulders straightened as she dropped her hands on her sides. She stared at me as if I had grew two heads.

"You're lying!" she smiled bitterly.

I shook my head as I fought back the urge to say more to piss her off. I didn't come here to exchange sarcastic words. I came here only to warn her to start telling the truth. And in addition, I didn't intend to stay longer.

"That pair of earrings she gave you as a gift, don't tell me you have nothing to do with it!" I started.

Her face twisted into a scowl, but no words came out from her red stained lips.

Playing innocent, I see.

"How about that watch of your bitch of a friend you put in Clara Bell's purse." I stated with a tone of disgust. My stomach churned at the thought that I ever dated this cunning, manipulative woman in front of me.

Her face turned red, not sure if it's out of anger or embarrassment. She steeled her spine, her eyes sharpened. "How sure are you that it was me? Were you there?" she challenged as she crossed her hands over her chest, her lips curled into a mocking smile.

My hands curled into a ball inside the pockets. "True," my hand bobbed... "I wasn't there, but your friend did. Unfortunately, she can't keep a secret."

She let out a snort.

"Are you still gonna deny it?" I asked through clenched teeth.

She didn't answer. Instead, she turned on her heel and walked over to her mustard yellow sectional sofa and plopped down, , an apparent insouciance that riled me even more. I didn't move from where I was rooted, or I might regretted it.

"I know you were the mastermind. You like to manipulate the people arou—,"

"I didn't do such things. And stop blaming me for her demeaning actions!" She interjected as she sat upright. Her tone rises an octave.

"Demeaning?" I growled with barely controlled anger. I clenched and unclenched my teeth. Anger swirling in my gut. I forced my legs to stay where it was cause I'm at the end of my rope. I'm so close to reaching her neck and strangle it. "Do you know what demeaning means?" I scowled at her.

I saw the fear on her face. She looked away. "That's you, Claire!" I spat.

She turned her head to me and scowled at me. It must have hit a nerve.

Her eyebrow arched, a small smirk curved on her lips. "Believe whatever you believe, Alex. But I'm not gonna tell you anything," faking nonchalance as she shrugged her shoulders.

I pulled my hand and ran it across my face, anger bottled up inside of me.

I stared at her without blinking. My jaws clenched. "Let's see where your pride takes you, Claire. Because slowly by slowly, we will take whatever that is precious to you. Starting with your career," I scoffed.

She shot up to her feet and stared at me incredulously. "I didn't do anything to her! And I'm not part of any of this!" she cried out as she marched towards me, almost stomping.

She stopped in front of me.

"I don't believe you, Claire. Start talking, and maybe Uncle Rafael and his family, or me can spare your fake luxurious life."

"I have nothing to confess, Alex."

My face hardened. Lips on a thin line.

"Try it again," I snarled.

"Why can't you just accept the truth that she has a knack of stealing things that doesn't belong to her," she grumbled. Her brows are drawn together.

I narrowed my eyes at her. My teeth clenched as I stared her down.

"Answer me, Claire and make sure you are using your brain if you ever had any."

I ignored her face distorted into a scowl.

"I know there is a little brain left their in your big head. You managed to wheedle your way into my life, and I hate to admit but somehow you had manipulated me for some time." A tone dripping with mock.

She stilled, shaking her head. Her lips pressed together into a slight grimace.

"Yes, I lied to you many times. But I am telling you the truth this time, Alex. I didn't put that watch in her purse. I didn't have anything to do about that earring, and I'm no part of that missing jewelry."

My eyes sharpening.

She swallowed hard. "Yes. The plan was me to sneak that watch in her purse, but I was surprised when I saw it in there. I thought Tabitha did it."

I hate to say but she seems sincere. Still I don't believe that she wasn't any part of hurting Clara Bell.

"So you know she didn't do it yet you made a statement that she stole it."

She glared at me. "I just answered their question. They asked me if she took those things and I said yes. I didn't put that watch in her purse but it was in her purse. Maybe she did it? Maybe she's a kleptoma—"

"STOP RIGHT THERE!"

She jumped backwards at the gruff loud tone I used. My anger is slipping away. My nails dug into my palm as I stared her down. My eyes twitching, my jaws rooted as I held it back that fury that's slowly sticking it's head out. All I see is red. My breathing is getting harsher and harsher every seconds passing.

Those arrogant smirks on her face disappeared and this time, she looked terrified. That didn't help simmering down that boiling rage swirling within me.

In a controlled, gravelly tone, I spoke slow, enunciating every word that hoping it sinks into her tiny brain through gritted teeth. "Take.that.statement.back."

She swallowed hard. Now I'm hovering over her, she stepped back a little. Her eyes now filled with terror. "I will ruin you, Claire. You clearly have no idea who you messed with!"

I quickly left her place. If I stayed for a minute longer, I don't know how much damage I may have done.

As I stalked towards the elevator feeling exhausted. That bottled up rage made my chest feeling tight, I need to take it out. My hand massaged my forehead.

I punched the button, staring right through the shiny rectangular chrome metal as I waited for it to open. I absentmindedly walked into the metal box and punched the main floor button.

As soon as the door slides open, I strode towards the exit door. A guard holding the door open. He tipped his head slightly but I just walked pass him. Langdon quickly opened the car door and held it for me.

"To Ms. Nemiah's place," I instructed before I slid into the back seat. The car moved with the traffic. I leaned my back against the seat back support and stretched my legs as far as the room lets me.

My phone rang just as I closed my eyes to calm myself.

I sat upright, hand dug into the inside pocket of my gray tweed blazer over my white buttoned down shirt. I pulled my phone out and connected the call without checking whose the caller.

"I have the person that can help you prove Ms. Valiente's innocence." Cornick's news suddenly enkindled the hopes that's had dwindled after that frustrating talk with Claire.

"Where are you?" I asked.

"In my old apartment," he replied.

🛑🛑🛑🛑🛑

Sitting at the very back on one of the benches inside of one of the courtrooms, I watched as the two lawyers argued heatedly. On the other side of the spectator's seats, where Tammy and Helena seated, holding each other's hand.

Tammy had never looked in my direction. I had to forced back that distaste, anger that slowly consuming me. My heart though was beating furiously inside my chest.

My palms felt clammy as the time ticked away. I felt the weight of Dad's hand on my shoulder. I looked up and gave him a small smile. He returned mine with a reassuring smile. Our eyes drifted back to the two imposing lawyers, Uncle Christopher was standing not so far from the Judge bench, while Mr. Levensky was sitting on the Prosecutor's table, a few ft. away from the defendant table.

"She was set up, your honor!" Uncle Christopher insisted, staring down at his opponent's face.

"Then prove it during the trial, Christopher." Mr. Levensky smirked.

Uncle Christopher scowled at him before he turned his head at the judge sitting on his throne, behind a raised desk. He watched at the two below him argued. His coffee coloured eyebrows furrowed as he faced Uncle Christopher. His back leaning against the high back judge chair.

"Your honor, my client is a daughter of a billionaire, and a royal. Do you honestly believe these people's allegations against her?"

The judge pulled his body forward and leaned his hands on the table, body leaning forward. He met Uncle Christopher's eyes with frustrations.

"Mr. Banks, do you think I care about the status of your client?" he asked in a tone that laced with mockery. "All I care about is a proof of your claim that she's innocent."

"I can prove that they were conniving against her," Christopher walked over to the desk where he left his black leather case.

The judge shifted his tired almond shaped eyes at Mr. Levensky, prompting him to say something.

"I have a solid evidence that prove Ms. Valiente stole Mrs. Ratskin heirloom. And I brought the witness too." Turning his head towards the direction of Tammy and Mrs. Helena. He shifted his eyes back to the judge and continued on. "And a few more that has something to say about Ms. Valiente." Mr. Levensky looked into my direction with a malicious smirk.

Dad turned rigid. His hand around my shoulder tightened. I can feel he wanted to say something but he held it back to my relief. I silently patted his hand that was sitting on my left shoulder. He relaxed.

"How about you settle with him, Mr. Banks?" The judge suggested as he slumped back on his chair.

Mr. Levensky spoke before Uncle Christopher said a word.

"My client doesn't want settlements, your honour."

"Then—"

The courtroom door open, and Alex barged in with a short lean woman with grayish hair. She looked terrified yet there was a determination on her face as she walked in next with Alex. Two guards in gray uniform was behind them.

All eyes focused on them and even the judge who was staring at him with displeasure. "What is your business here, Sir?!" the judge asked. His orotund voice reverberated inside the four walls of the courtroom.

I just realized Dad and I was on our feet watching Alex as he spoke. My eyes darted to Mrs. Ratskin and she was staring at the woman with eyes as wide as a saucer.

"Your honor, I brought here Mrs. Mary Hayes. She's Mrs. Helena Ratskin housekeeper. She's here to prove Ms. Clara Bell Valiente's innocence," Alex explained, his eyes rested on Mrs. Ratskin who looked like the blood just left her face.

"Mary—"

Mrs. Ratskin's was interjected by Alex's voice. "I have the video clips during that day inside Mrs. Ratskin's room. And not only the plaintiff connived with Ms. Tamera Dominguez or Ms. Maria Corazon Santos, she also tampered the evidence, your honour. She denied having a camera installed in her master bedroom. She has every crook and nook of her room including her walk-in closet."

Alex strode further inside, stopping just before the judge bench. He handed over the judge a small rectangular thing that looked like a USB. The judge looked at the two on the other side of the benches.

"Mrs. Ratskin, is it true?" The judge asked. The room was so silent, tension thickening. I was holding my breath as I waited for her response to the judge. All the blood seemed to drain out of her face. Tammy looked like she also just seen a ghost.

Mrs. Ratskin nodded her head. A tear fell on my cheeks as relief coursed through me. Dad turned to me and embraced me, feeling the same emotions, relief. I felt that boulder that had been sitting in my chest was pulled out.

The judge spoke causing us to separate and looked at the direction of Tammy. "Ms. Dominguez?" she probed.

Tammy for the first time directed her eyes on us. On dad specifically with so much hatred.

"He killed my family!" she screamed, her index finger pointing at dad and I looked at my father who was staring at her with his cold eyes.

....

I dreaded to write anything about trial or anything related to court because I'm scared I'm gonna screw it.

Anyhow, we are getting closer to the ending.