A T T H E S H A W M A N S I O N
The Shaw mansion was a monument to wealth, but inside, it was eerily silent save for the subtle movements of newly hired maids. By the sparkling pool, Millicent and her daughter, Lacey, lounged on deck chairs, their bodies being kneaded by two male models. The men's movements were precise and practiced, their eyes focused on their task. They seemed oblivious to the world, and to the fact that Megara, their niece, hadn't been home in over a day. Their gilded life was only interrupted when the glass door leading to the backyard slammed open with a jarring bang.
Millicent, her sunglasses still perched on her nose, slowly sat up as the models discreetly moved away. Lucas strode towards them, his eyes glinting with a cold fury. He looked at his wife in disbelief, then his gaze fell on the male models, who were dressed in tight, athletic wear.
"What the fuck is this, Millicent?" Lucas's voice was a low growl, barely a shout, but full of menace. He then turned his attention to the models. "And you, you dare to put your hands on my wife? Do you have a death wish?"
A red-haired model stepped forward, hands held up in a gesture of surrender. "No, sir, we didn't know."
Lucas ignored him, pulling a gun from his waistband. His eyes, full of hatred, were locked on the men. "I'll give you ten seconds to get the fuck out of my house. In nine… eight…"
The models scrambled for their clothes, their panic palpable as they fled. Millicent, wrapped in a towel, ran to her husband, her eyes wide and innocent, but Lucas pushed her away with a disgusted shove.
"You two imbeciles," he snarled, his gaze flicking between her and Lacey. "You sit here squandering money, lounging around for nothing, while Megara—your niece—has been injured and is in the Elite hospital."
"Elite hospital?!" Millicent shrieked, her hand flying to her hair in a dramatic gesture. "What happened? What are we going to say to her father, Lucas?"
Lacey rushed to her mother's side, feigning concern and grabbing her arm, but a smirk played on her lips. "Dad, what happened? Why weren't we told?"
Lucas's eyes held nothing but contempt as he looked at them. "The principal called yesterday morning. Megara had an accident during basketball practice. She's been in the hospital for two days, and you were too busy shopping to even notice."
Millicent subtly squeezed her daughter's hand, a silent signal to feign sympathy. "We are so sorry and disappointed in ourselves," she said, her voice dripping with fake remorse. "But at least we can go and see her today." She then turned and walked away with Lacey, leaving a heartbroken Lucas standing by the pool.
Once inside Lacey's room, Millicent slammed the door shut and sank onto a plush couch. "That little slut," she seethed, her eyes burning with hatred. "She dares to get into an accident while staying here and make me look bad in front of my husband, just like her slutty mother, Regina."
"Why does she have to get hurt now?" Lacey whined, sitting beside her mother. "Now our spa day is ruined, and Dad is furious."
Millicent patted her daughter's head gently. "Don't worry about her. We'll just go and see her so we don't get into trouble with your father. And we certainly don't want her lawyer getting involved; if he finds out she was injured while staying here, we'll forfeit any compensation for negligence."
Lacey nodded, getting up from the couch to go to the bathroom. Millicent watched her go, then walked out of the room, leaving behind an atmosphere thick with unspoken malice.
A T E L I T E H O S P I T A L, I N M E G A R A' S W A R D
Golden sunlight streamed through the open curtains, illuminating the hospital room. Uriel was fast asleep, his head resting on the edge of Megara's bed, her hand clasped in his. He held it close to his forehead, using it as a makeshift pillow, a silent vigil in the quiet room.
Uriel's eyes fluttered open to the sight of a burly bodyguard standing over him. The man's face was impassive as he spoke. "Mr. Uriel, your friend, Mr. Hugo, is here to see Miss Megara."
Uriel's gaze narrowed, his sleep-heavy eyes now sharp. He slowly rose from the bed, his hand still gently holding Megara's. "Get out," he commanded in a low voice, "and let him in."
The bodyguard nodded once and exited the room. Uriel released Megara's hand, careful not to disturb her, and walked to the large window, pulling the curtain open to let more sunlight flood the room. The moment he turned his back, Hugo entered. His expression was a mixture of guilt and sympathy as he made his way to Megara's bedside, his eyes fixed on her still form.
He sat down on the couch next to Megara his head bowed with her hand in his. "I'm sorry Megara I'm a bad friend I failed my promise again. He muttered under his breath a stray tears in his eyes.
"Uriel," Hugo's voice was soft, hesitant. "I heard what happened to Chaplain. Was that... was that you?" He paused, then continued, his voice dropping to a near whisper. "And the Bonners... their family secret. Was that you, too?"
Uriel didn't respond. He simply picked up his leather jacket from the armchair and slung it over his shoulder, his back still to Hugo. He walked toward the door, his movements fluid and deliberate. Just as he reached the threshold, he turned, his dark eyes locking on Hugo's.
"Watch her," he said, his voice flat but firm. "Don't stress her. I'll be back."
With that, Uriel left the room, the door clicking shut behind him, leaving Hugo alone with a silent Megara and a heavy silence.
He signals a bodyguard standing outside the door, who approaches him with a swift but cautious pace. "I'm leaving. You're in charge now," he commands, his voice low and firm. "Under no circumstances is anyone except her relatives and Z3 allowed to see her. If a fly gets in, you'd better have a reasonable explanation."
The guard bows his head in reverence. "Yes, Boss."
As Uriel walks out, the other guards acknowledge his presence with respectful bows. He enters the elevator, and the doors close, concealing his intimidating presence.
SEVERAL HOURS LATER
Lucas, Millicent, and Lacey step into the hospital, its opulence far exceeding their expectations. This is the Elite Hospital, a five-star facility reserved for presidents, politicians, and the five wealthiest families in the country: the Jeffersons, Oswalds, Oscars, Arnolds, and Ramos. They can't help but wonder how a family worth only $25 million could possibly afford Megara's care when a single night here costs millions.
Lucas and his wife head to the front desk, leaving Lacey in the waiting area.
He offers the nurse a warm smile. "Hello, I'm Mr. Lucas Shaw. I'm here to visit a patient named Megara Smith."
The nurse returns his smile as she checks the hospital records. "Yes, she's here," she replies, and Lucas lets out a sigh of relief. "What is your relationship with Miss Smith?"
"She's my sister-in-law. We were told she had an accident while practicing sports and that the result was fatal."
The nurse nods, exchanging a quick glance with a colleague. "Alright, Mr. Shaw. Miss Smith is in the VVIP ward and is receiving exceptional intensive care," she says, writing on a piece of paper and handing it to him. "It's room 005. She won't be discharged today."
Lucas's eyes widen, and his jaw drops as he stares at the paper as if it were a ghost. Millicent gasps.
"Did you say intensive care and the VVIP ward?" she asks, her voice sharp.
The nurse, looking confused, nods. "Yes. It costs three hundred thousand pounds per night, but you don't need to worry about that. All the bills have been fully covered by the school."
A collective sigh of relief escapes the couple.
"Thank you for your time. My wife and I will go see her now," Lucas says with an awkward smile before turning away from the desk.
Millicent follows, her face a mix of conflicting emotions. Lacey rises to her feet, and the three of them make their way to the elevator, the only way to access the VVIP ward.
Once in the ward hallway, they looked up at the number tags on each door post until they finally found room 005 but to their horror it was surrounded by guards.
Lucas gulped his suspicions picqued. "What are the guards doing in Megara ward? Is she in trouble or is this part of the school plans? He asked but Millicent grabbed him by the bicep her fear evident.
"I guess her father stole that card and the owner is here to take his daughter as a ransom. She replied her voice low and fearful. "It's better we turn around for home and avoid this kind of confrontation.
Lucas's gaze narrowed as he offered his wife a lethal glare. "You're as hardened as marble tone towards your own niece. He remarked his voice echoing his unhidden disappointment in his wife's childish behaviour. "If they must carry her out then they should step over my dead body.
As they walked down the ward hallway, their eyes scanned the number tags on each doorpost until they found room 005. To their horror, a group of guards stood clustered outside the door.
Lucas swallowed hard, his suspicions piqued. "What are the guards doing in Megara's ward? Is she in trouble, or is this part of the school's plan?" he asked.
Millicent grabbed his biceps, her fear evident. "I think her father stole that card, and the owner is here to take his daughter as ransom," she whispered, her voice low and fearful. "We should turn back now and avoid a confrontation."
Lucas's gaze narrowed as he gave his wife a lethal look. "You're as hardened as marble toward your own niece," he remarked, his voice echoing his profound disappointment in his wife's childish behavior. "If they are going to take her, they'll have to go over my dead body."
Millicent tugged at her husband's suit her expression that of horror and fear. "Don't make such a silly declaration. She scolds but only gets a disappointing glare. "My brother has always been shady and acting alone. He gave us such amount of money where did he get it from perhaps he stole from a wealthy man.
Lucas grabbed her hand firm but not unkind removing it from his suit. "Don't be such a know it all! He reprimands. "If you can marry into a rich family such as ours what makes you think Denver isn't worthy of being rich.
"But...you don't.. she stuttered unable to form a solid and understandable speech.
"Enough dawdling Millicent. He replied giving her a side glare enough to shut her up. "Lucas isn't a thief I know him and if you're not comfortable seeing your niece you might as well go home.
He moved forward his steps swift and deliberate with each step. He walked over to the guards unafraid but cautious while Millicent and Lacey stood together hands locked together.
Lacey tugged helplessly at her mother's emerald dress her eyes staring at her with deepest hurt and confusion. "Mom what is wrong with Dad? Why does he keep treating us like strangers? She asked her voice low and confused. "Ever since megara arrived Dad has been Very concerned about her and doesn't even glance at me.
Millicent gently pats her daughter's hand staring into her eyes reassuringly. "Be patient child. You'll see that the winner always is the last. She advised and Lacey nods in agreement. "To win your father's favour you need to act matured and kind then leave the rest to me. In no time regardless of the deal megara will quietly leave our home.
Lacey nodded both had and evil smirk plastered on their face the tension hung in the air like a stormy sea as they both made their way to the bodyguard. Lucas looks over at them before staring back at the bodyguards who let them into the room without further questioning surprising them.