Chapter 38

A banquet

Rowan

I was getting ready for a banquet. It wasn’t something I wanted to do but I had to go. none the less The

founder of Hope foundation was holding the banquet in thanks giving and honor of all its donors. Given

I was one of its many donors, I was invited

“What is it, Brian. I’m busy?” I answer after checking the caller ID

“We were able to get a DNA match from the blood sample we collected from Miss Sharp’s house” he

goes straight to the point.

Her name makes me take a sharp intake of air. The last words I flung at her still echo in fucking mind I

shouldn’t have said all those hurtful things but I was so fucking pissed that she put her hands on Emma

“And?” I urge, wanting him to continue.

I was hoping this was good news. I wanted nothing more than to solve Ava’s case and put it behind us

“I don’t have good news” he replies making me grown.

“What happened?”

“We identified the man. He goes by Black Serpent. He’s been on our radar for quite a while since he is

a hired killer Someone tipped us as to where he’s hiding, only problem is that we found him dead with a

bullet in his skull” there was an edge in his voice. An edge I was also feeling.

He was our hope but now the man was dead, so we were back to square one.

“Did you find anything that might have given a clue on why he was after Ava?” I ask almost

desperately.

“Nothing” he replies.

“And the one that tipped you?

He sighs tiredly. “I think it might have been the one that killed him. My guess is he or she found out that

we had evidence against Black Serpent so he killed him before we could make an arrest and get him to

reveal who his boss is

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The picture he painted started forming in my head. The pieces falling into place. I didnt fucking

like the direction this was leading to.

“But that would mean that whoever is after Ava is someone close to her, otherwise how would

they have known about the DNA sample?”

Despite the news of Ava’s attack leaking, nothing much was said. Tabloids only reported that she was

attacked in her house. There was no public information concerning the blood sample the police

collected.

“Most likely. That or they have an accomplice who is close to Ava and therefore feeding him or her

information” Brian finishes.

Just when I thought things would get better then this happens. How the fuck are we supposed to catch

this guy?

“Is that all?” I ask him.

“Yes…for now”

“Keep me updated” with that I hang up and get back to tying my tie.

Now more than ever I didn’t feel like going to the damn banquet.

I finish and head downstairs where my limousine was waiting. I was supposed to pick Emma up since

she was my date for this dinner. I get in and my driver drives the short distance to Emma’s apartment.

I find her ready when I ring the bell to her apartment. She looked beautiful, but for some reason I

couldn’t appreciate her beauty as much as I did when we were younger.

“You’re quiet” she tells me.

She was seated across from me, looking elegant and poised. I stare at her, not really knowing what the

hell I was looking for in her blue eyes.

“I just have a lot on my mind” I answer.

“Care to share?”

Not really

How could I tell her that the thoughts that were plaguing me were mostly of her sister?

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Her mouth thins. She isn’t happy that I turned her down, but she doesn’t say it. Instead she keeps

quiet and stares out the window.

I sigh. The atmosphere was now fucking awkward. I don’t do awkward so I start drumming a

finger on my thigh. Praying that this fucking trip would end already.

We get there in time and I let out a breath of relief. The car stops and I get out, then I help Emma get

out. The cameras begin flashing the minute we step onto the red carpert.

‘Mr. Woods, is it true that you’re now with Emma Sharp, your ex–wife’s sister?‘ one reporter asks

‘Some say that Miss Emma is the love of your life while circumstances forced you to be with Ava sharp‘

another flings.

‘Where is your ex–wife, Mr. Woods?”

‘Miss Emma, how does it feel to be with a man that was once married to your sister? They even have a

son together”

I feel Emma’s grip tightening on my forearm when they ask her that question. I lead her away as they

throw question after question at us. Finally we get to the entrance and are welcomed in.

The organizer did a wonderful job. I wasn’t into this kind of shit but the place looked amazing. We are

led to our table. We find Gabe, Travis, Letty and Christine already seated.

I don’t bother greeting anyone unlike Emma. I just help Emma into her seat then I take my own

My mind wasn’t here. My thoughts revolved around Ava and her safety. I couldn’t even focus on the

conversation around the table, that’s until her name is mentioned.

“What the fuck is Ava doing here?” I look up to find Emma staring daggers behind me.

I turn in that direction to find Ava standing with Ethan. She looked like a fucking goddess with her long

curled brown hair, and a gold glittering dress. I’ve never seen her like this. She looked absolutely

breath taking. As much as I tried I couldn’t take my eyes off her.

She walks forward and Ethan walks by her side. His palm on the exposed flesh of her lower back. She

passes by our table. A part from Letty, who she smiles and waves at, she ignores the rest of us.

Ethan leads her to the table a few feet from ours and pulls out her chair for her. She gives him such a

radiant smile that I feel it deep inside my soul even though it wasn’t directed at me.

I pull my gaze from them when Ethan leans in and kisses her cheek. Everything inside me turned

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myself from matching to their table and claiming her.

I shake those away. What the fuck? She wasn’t mine, so what the hell was happening to me?

“The cop probably invited her, Rowan did some digging and found out that he is from a wealthy

family up north. His presence makes sense, as for Ava we all know she isn’t the kind of person to

be invited to such fancy things” the snide remarks pulls me from my anger

I turn to look at Christine just as she and Emma burst out laughing.

Why the hell have I never heard her say such things before now? Had I been that blind and stupid?

Letty snorts. “We also know that you wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for your association to Rowan.

Same with you Emma, you only got invited because of Rowan despite you family’s name, so why

don’t you shut your fucking mouth and stop acting like you’re the queens here” s

“Letty…” Travis growls.

“No! Christine is here bad mouthing Ava because just like Emma, she’s jealous of her. Tell me

Christine what are you except for a highly paid secretary? What connections do you have? None!

You were nothing before Rowan hired you, just a cheap slut that made her way to the top by

sleeping with her former bosses” Letty then turns to Emma

“And you? When are you going to grow the fuck up? Nine fucking years and you’re still a bitter

spoilt brat. Ava made a mistake, get over it and stop acting like the world ended. The sun doesn’t

revolve around you so instead of trying your hardest to put your sister down why don’t you focus

on your relationship with Rowan which by the looks of things, isn’t even working”

Both Emma and Christine stare at her in shock and anger. Probably because no one had ever dared

to talk to them like that. Emma had her hand fisted. Angry waves rolling off her.

“That’s enough, Letty…I won’t tolerate you talking to Emma like that, she’s my sister. If you can’t

respect her then leave” Travis growls at her. Letty just looks at Emma before sneering then

turning to Travis.

“In case you forgot, Ava is your sister but that doesn’t matter to you does it? After all you’re among the

very people that put her down and treated her like shit” she then stands up. “I’ll gladly leave, I’d rather

stay at home than spend the night with a bunch of self–absorbed assholes: You all

sicken me

“Letty “Travis pleads his tune changing quickly, but she’s already turned around and leaving

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The table remains silent as we watch her leave. She doesn’t get far though. She’s stopped by a

body guard. He then directs her back to the banquet room and straight past us. She’s taken to

Ava’s table.

Ava stands up and hugs her. They then take their seats and begin chatting.

Seconds later the bodyguards stands at our table.

“Mam, I’m gonna have to ask you to leave” he tells Christine.

“What?!” she almost screams.

“Please stand up and leave. I don’t want to embarrass you by dragging you out”

“What did I do?”

“I don’t know and I don’t care, I’m just following my orders, please don’t make things difficult”

Christine was about to protest but I give her a sharp look. She shuts her mouth and stands up. All eyes

are on her as the bodyguard escorts her out.

This room is full of the cream del a cream of the society and they all bare witness as she’s escorted

out. The bodyguard didn’t want to embarrass her but the damage was already done. The fact that she

was asked to leave was shameful to her.

“What the hell just happened?” Gabe asks as he stares around the room. 2

None of us had an answer. We continue staring at each other trying to figure out why the fuck Christine

was asked to leave and why Letty was taken to Ava’s table.

“Good afternoon” the sound of someone at the podium speaking makes all our eyes turn to the front.

The woman at the front was a blonde lady. She had on a black dress and she was smiling at her

audience.

“My name is Mary and I would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for coming today. As you

know this banquet is in honor of all of you. Before we begin the festivities and celebrations, I would like

to invite the founder of hope foundation to give a speech..” she’s interrupted the excited murmurs that

fill the room,

No one knew who the founder of Hope foundation was. His or her identity has been a secret for years,

so of course everyone is fucking excited to finally meet the founder of the largest

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I was curious, always have been as to why he or she would keep their identity hidden.

She waits until everyone is quiet before she continues.

“I know that you’re all very excited, so with no further ado, help me welcome the founder of Hope

Foundation…” She pauses. She has all of us at the edge of our seats

“Miss Ava Sharp”