Charles could have chuckled hard but something else stopped him. The audacity of the man who supposedly is his biological father certainly couldn't be ignored. What annoyed the man most was the fact that a gun was pulled when Isabella was there. She didn't show any kind of fear, but he didn't want her exposed to such dangers.

Charles knew he had to act fast and get them both out of there without Rodrigo Ordinaz getting anything from him. He stole a look at the man who had a smile on his face. His mother was right, he was not a man with good intentions. But that didn't sadden Charles. He had already sort of believed his mother's statement about Ordinaz, so he wasn't too surprised.


But the part he totally didn't see coming was where his real father would openly say he wants to use his company and how wife's as some kind of leverage.

"Are you going to sit down or not?" Ordinaz asked, an impatient grin now etched in his bold face.

Charles who was already working on his plan, pressed the emergency button attached to his shirt earlier. Thankfully no search was conducted, so that wasn't sniffed out. After he was sure that he had pressed the button so many times, Augustus will have no choice but to act, he faced the man with a smile while drawing his wife closer to his side.


That little move got Ordinaz snickering.

"Do you really think I will be willing to give you even a fraction of what I have worked for?" Charles asked calmly.


"We should sit down and discuss this."

"I have been sitting all day, Rodrigo Ordinaz. I am fine this way."

Ordinaz wore a small smile and made his legs dance a bit. When he stopped, he crossed his arms and heaved a deep sigh that had him looking smaller for a second. "You are never going to call me father, are you?"

"Someone else gets to be called father."

"If your mother hadn't run away..." The man's voice approached sobriety and Charles wasn't counting on listening to the story of his life.

So, he interrupted him. "I am genuinely not surprised that she ran away. But I really don't care how that made you feel. All I want right now is to go back to my home. I have seen and heard enough." Charles was making sure to give off his intimidating tone but it was hard to tell if it was working.

"Like I said..." Ordinaz sighed heavily again. "You really can't go anywhere. Any wrong move and my men react."

" Isn't it thuggish of you to be willing to kill your son because he doesn't want to form an alliance with you?"

" Oh Lord!" Rodrigo smacked his face and dragged his palms down the length of his face. "I wouldn't think of that if you could just agree to my terms. For goodness sake, I helped you get united with the woman you love. Certainly, I should get something for that."

"Hmm. I actually think it's time for me to leave." Charles wore a smile as he caught a glimpse of Augustus who was already sneaking behind the man as quietly as possible. "It was nice to meet you, but I really can't work with someone as entitled and manipulating as you. I have a lot to protect and I feel you will ruin them for me."

"What are you doing trying to leave?" Ordinaz's voice wore a bit of threat as Charles grabbed Isabella's hand and had them facing the entrance again. "Stop them! Who is at the entrance?" he bellowed. On cue, the door flew open and two seemingly lifeless bodies fell on top of each other onto the floor. "What is going on out there? I want-"

"Shut up," Augustus solid voice ordered the man and he surprisingly obeyed.

Charles then turned, his face wearing a bigger smile. "Rodrigo Ordinaz, don't try to do anything funny to my family or trust me, I'll show you that I am mightier than you. Augustus, let's go."

" That was so sexy," Isabella blurted and Charles chuckled in agreement. "I can't believe that just happened," she continued as they walked past some more suited men who could do nothing but stare confusedly as they walked past. "Your real father is quite a man."

"Hmm." His hand left hers and went on to suggle her shoulder closer into his wanting heat. "I am glad I won't be seeing him again. All I want to do now is go home and relax with you."

Charles knew how cheesy he sounded. Normally, most people won't get to see him that way. In fact, they would be surprised to see the ever stone faced Mr. Oxford smiling and acting like a teenage lover boy.

But one could safely say, Isabella made him that way and he really didn't mind.

"Uh...sir?" Augustus cut through his thoughts. "There is an issue."

"What's that?"

"Apparently..." His eyes darted to the side for a second, rousing Charles's curiosity. "There was a blast and your house is uhm... blown into pieces?"

Charles frowned at the uncertainty in Augustus voice and then the furrow on his forehead deepened when it hit him. "Did you just say, blown into pieces?"

Augustus gave a curt nod, his hat following the motion and Charles looked down at Isabella who looked distraught already.

"Who did it?"

"The men believe it was Gabriel."

" Gabriel," Charles said his name like it was poison and he became instantly eager to tear the man apart. "Where is he?"

"My men are still searching for him sir."

"Contact James, he should get the plane ready, we will be leaving in an hour. And keep checking with your men, we must get his location." He looked down again at a now quiet and even more distressed Isabella and said, with every form of assurance, "We will get him for good this time."

~

Hours later, Isabella and Charles were back in London. But contrary to earlier thoughts, they really didn't have a home to go back to. It was all in ruins, everything was gone except for parts of the unique building which still remained but with scars.

Presently in a hotel room, waiting for any news on Gabriel who seemed to have a killing intent, Isabella could not help but start to pace again like she had been doing ever since she saw the chaos her ex-husband had already caused.

"Bella, please sit down. You are making me nervous," Charles called from the corner he was quietly sitting at. Her pacing stopped and she leaned onto the head of the only couch in the large room which took simplicity as a mottoo with the plain duvets, single coloured walls and regular carpet.

"I can't help it. I-" She was interrupted by a knock on the door. "Are you expecting someone?" Charles got up without a word and walked towards a confused Isabella who perceived his silence to be hiding a message. "What is it?"

"I called Daphne here." Isabella raised her brows, unsure how to react. "I need her to apologize to you."

"But I don't need it."

"You don't?" Charles frowned.

Isabella wore a gentle smile. "I don't think her apology would change anything for me. She hasn't offended me in anyway."

"What do you mean? She came to our house and claimed to be pregnant for me. She could have destroyed our union."

"I am glad she did not." Isabella had her head ducking as she ran through things within her mind. "Truthfully..." she resumed her talk. "Right now Charles, all I want is to finally get to live a peaceful life with you. But now that Gabriel is..."

" Hey." He pulled her into her chest. "It will all be fine, I promise."

"I really hope it will." She could not help the tears that rolled in after due to the jumbled feelings within her. "I might not even be able to give you a child. But you are-"

"Hasn't it been settled that we will try other means?" He cut short her statement and made her look into his eyes in which there was a message to soothe her over and over again. "We will get to have a child Isabella. And if we don't, that doesn't mean I will toss you away. I am too stubborn to easily give up."

"I am glad you won't toss me away." Her sobbing intensified as she wrapped her hands around his waist with every emotion she could give.

"You are such a crybaby," Charles teased as his hands enveloped her assuredly. "My crybaby." She sniffled before giving a reckless giggle. " I promise you Isabella, you will find that peace you are looking for, right here with me."

Isabella whose heart was fluttering hard was about to give a response when the door suddenly flung open. The hugging duo who soon had their heads flinging towards the entrance had their eyes landing on Augustus who seemed to be trying to catch his breath.

"Any news Augustus?" Charles had impatience in his voice.

"Yes. There is news."

"Where is he?"

Augustus adjusted his stance and walked a few steps closer. "At the hangar."

Isabella looked up at Charles who frown instantly and asked, "The one here?" When the man who was now a bit calm nodded, Charles whose blood seemed instantly roused said, "Let's get him. Is he still there?"

"Well...I think someone beat us to that."

" How do you mean?"

"Well... the thing is..." Augustus momentarily looked towards Isabella and that made her wonder what the matter was. Had Gabriel escaped? Or did he do something worse? Augustus replied her growing questions as he dropped, "Gabriel is dead. He was burnt to death."