“What do you think?” Ian retorted. “I dumped you because I was hoping Diarmuid and his people wouldn’t come after you. Guess I was still too late, but no matter. Now that the cat is out of the bag, I can tell you that Abigail Bernstein was using you to find her baby.”
“You took her baby?” Robin gasped in surprise.
“Yes, and he’s everything to me. As long as I have him, I can force Diarmuid to give me everything he has even Light Group.”
“And that woman just now…”
“Like I said, a wet nurse,” Ian answered simply, before adding, “The baby was having a crying fit. I needed her to feed him.”
Robin came to her senses then. “It was all just a misunderstanding?”
“What do you think?” Ian sighed–now that Robin understood that she had been targeted, he did not have to break up with her either.
“Come with me,” he said, and directed his crew, “Find that woman!”
The ship was only that large–there was no place to hide.
“I’m sorry.” Robin apologized to him then. “I’ve brought trouble to your doorstep.”
Ian put a hand on her waist. “Actually, you didn’t. Once we get her, I have two bargaining chips against Diarmuid.”
Still, Robin felt like she owed him because she caused him trouble.
After all, he was trying to protect her when he dumped her, a thought which left her feeling guilty.
She blamed her own recklessness–she should have stayed calm.
Abigail could swim, and had hid herself by latching herself to one of the lifebuoys tied up over the hull of the cargo ship.
However, when Ian’s crew failed to find her on the ship, they thought of the hull as well, and found her in no time at all.
“Over here!” one of the crew members yelled, and his companions were there soon.
“Let’s go look,” Ian said, bringing Robin along.
His crew did not capture Abigail immediately, since she would not be able to hold on for that long–they simply stood aside, watching and laughing at her.
As Ian looked down at her as well, he smiled. “Did you think you would get away in the middle of the ocean? You came here on your own, so don’t blame me if I prove to be less than gentlemanly.”
With that, he gestured for the crew to pull her aboard.
Abigail glanced at the sea beneath. She would break something if she jumped and it was too far to swim ashore. Not to mention that there was no telling what lurked beneath the depths. Eventually, she decided to go up on her own. Stop. I’ll get up myself. Eleven. When she got aboard, Ian’s crew encircled her as if worried she would run. Make way, Ian growled, knowing that there was no way she could run. She would not have surrendered otherwise. You were using me. Robin strode up to her then, as they looked each other in the eye, Abigail knew that she could not argue because she did exploit Robin. I had to do this. I want my baby. Dash. Before she could finish, Robin raised her hand, ready to slap her. Stop.
Henry had boarded the cargo ship at some point in time, and bellowed at Robin, stopping her just as she was about to hit Abigail.
When Robin turned and saw him, she remembered how respectful Ian was around him.
Knowing who he was, she refrained from hitting Abigail, and gingerly retreated behind Ian.
As Henry walked toward them on his crutch, he growled at Ian, “Come with me.”
Ian naturally could not refuse his elder, but before he left, he gestured for his crew to keep Abigail under their custody and prevent her escape.
Once they were gone, the crew took her to another container.
As they stepped inside Ian’s office, Henry gave him a look and said, “Release Abigail and her child now. There is still time-”
“Time for what, Grandfather?” Ian asked in return, cutting him short.
Then, before Henry could answer, he said, “Do you think you could convince Diarmuid to step down?”
Henry’s expression darkened. “Let them go, and I’ll be able to do it. He’ll respect me as long as I’m alive.”
Naturally, Ian refused. “I’m your grandson, and my father’s your son! But you gave everything to Diarmuid because he’s your favorite! My grievance, and the conflict in the family, is all because of you!”
Moneypenny could not stop himself just then. “Master Althoff did so because your mother-”
“Stop,” Henry growled, stopping him just in time. “Since you’re being so obstinate, I have nothing to say to you. You’ll be solely responsible for what’s coming to you now.
“Of course I will!” Ian certainly knew what he was doing, and the outcome was naturally his to bear.
He would not apologize for what he did either!
“In that case, there’s nothing more to say.” Henry headed outside then.
Moneypenny had no idea why Henry refused to tell Ian what his mother had done. “Sir…”
“Stop it.” Henry raised a hand, gesturing for his silence.
Moneypenny had to follow suit!
Still, after they left the cargo ship, Moneypenny finally asked his question. “Sir, didn’t you go on the ship to look for the boy? He’s right there, along with Ms. Abigail-”
“Moneypenny,” Henry interrupted him. “What do you think my family needs to prosper?”
Moneypenny did not hesitate in his answer. “A leader who is competent, has foresight, and moves swiftly and decisively. A man of such caliber would ensure a lasting dynasty…”
Catching on to Henry’s intentions just then, Moneypenny gaped. “Are you saying that you want to find out who’s better among the two?”
“Ian deserves a chance.” Henry said earnestly – he was a Althoff after all, and whether he could claim the right to rule was all on him.
Henry had decided to refrain from meddling this time, just to see if Ian stood a chance against Diarmuid.
If lan won, it would not be a bad option to have him become the next family head–that was only fair.
Personal merit will decide the victor!
“With two leverages against Master Diarmuid, Master Ian does seem to have the advantage of the moment.” Moneypenny pointed out.
“It does seem that way,” Henry replied. “But it’s too early to say who is the victor.
“With two leverages against Master Diarmuid, Master Ian does seem to have the advantage of the moment.” Moneypenny pointed out.
“It does seem that way,” Henry replied. “But it’s too early to say who is the victor.
Meanwhile, Ian’s crew had taken Abigail to another container, inside of which was a simple bed arranged of wooden crates with a simple quilt placed over it.
Tommy was sleeping on it, but he was not reacting at all, in spite of the loud clanging of heels against the container floor.
That was clear, utterly abnormal. Abigail ran forward and scooped him up in her arms, slapping his cheeks lightly, but got no response either. She turned sharply toward Ian. What did you do to my son? Ian said nonchalantly.
He was being noisy, so I fed him a sleeping pill. Abigail was livid. He’s still a baby. Ian thought nothing of it. He won’t die. He did not want the baby dead, but could not stand his crying fits. Not to mention that he would start drawing attention. That was why he fed him the sleeping pill after speaking with a doctor.
Abigail was shaking with rage.
She put down Tommy and suddenly dashed toward Ian.
She moved so quickly that before anyone noticed or could move to stop her, she had reached him and slapped him across the face!
The ensuing smack seemed to echo in the container, and everyone froze!
Abigail had struck Ian so hard her palm turned numb—she had struck him as hard as she could!
“Abigail Bernstein!” Robin yelled, running up and shoving Abigail when she saw her beloved being struck. “How dare you touch him?!”
“Why wouldn’t I?!” Abigail’s eyes were red. “I will kill him if anything happens to Tommy!”
“And I’ll kill you if you do!” Robin yelled back, her eyes bulging furiously.
After learning that Ian had broken up with her just to protect her, she fell deeper in love and was now willing to kill for him!
That was when Diarmuid walked up, pushing Robin aside, and strode toward Abigail with the look of a frenzied beast.
Abigail took a step back warily. “Take it up with Diarmuid Althoff if you have a beef with him! Do you think you’re a man, abducting an infant?”
Ian simply narrowed his eyes.
The red palm print on his face was ever distinct as he smiled. “No one’s ever slapped me. Did you think I’d ? forgive you?”
Abigail reared her chin at him, not yielding despite her clear disadvantage. “Did you, after you hurt my child?”
Ian cracked his knuckles just then, his veins bulging over the back of his hand, and laughed despite his rage. “Fine, I don’t lay a finger on women anyway – but I can make you wish you were dead, while humiliating Diarmuid at the same time.”
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.
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