Chapter 2

[Veronica's POV] 

Relief washed over me as I heard the familiar voice. I looked up with hopeful eyes at the man who just entered the room.

“Dad,” I breathed.

 He walked over to me and I noticed a nicely dressed lawyer, who shot Blake a cold glare, trailed in behind him. In that moment, I realized that Blake being here wasn't acceptable by the law. He wasn't a police officer, or an investigator and he certainly didn’t belong to the military. My Dad wasn't a simple figure in this country either. He had his own company, which was well established, and he even had some influence with high ranking officials. Unfortunately, that didn’t even hold a candle to Blake’s power.

Turning towards my dad, Blake chuckled darkly as his anger grew exponentially. The atmosphere in the room felt dangerously heavy. 

 “Mr. Knight finally showed up to save his precious daughter, hm?” he asked with a sardonic smile. 

Dad stared at Blake with an unfathomable expression. 

“Both of my daughters are precious to me,” dad corrected. “I know you love one, but that doesn't mean I will let you disparage the other.” 

“You know everything about what your daughter has done! Victoria has, for all we know, left this world. And what do you do about it? You come here to support a murderer who caused the death of my wife and unborn child!” he yelled passionately. “Do you really think that I’m going to let you help her escape from proper punishment?”

The words “unborn child” caused my stomach to turn. I didn’t even know that Victoria was pregnant. My tears threatened to resurface and I had to work hard to stifle my need to cry. No wonder Blake was so furious! 

Dad sighed deeply. In a final attempt to reason with his son-in-law, he said, “Blake, I know that you suspect Veronica. But, you don’t have any concrete evidence, do you? Everything must be coincidental. Veronica would never hurt her sister. She loved her too much.” 

“Bullshit!” Blake shouted as he brought his fist down on the table. “She was there with a member of the mafia. Hell, she even lit the stove on her own. What more do you need as proof, Mr. Knight?"

My dad’s eyebrows furrowed deeply at hearing Blake’s enraging voice. 

“That doesn't prove anything,” dad said sharply. “I am going to bail her out now. Without any solid proof, you have no right to file charges against her. There are laws in our country and they are not made from your words.” 

He then signaled the lawyer to continue the procedure of my discharge. I smiled gratefully at my dad. He was the only person who believed in me. But, then I saw Blake's eyes close as if he was holding on to the last bit of his patience not to kill anyone in the room. He pinched the bridge of his nose and chuckled, which caused me to flinch in my chair. 

“Of course, the law of the land can get her out of this police station, Mr. Knight. Yet, outside this station… people play by my rules,” he threatened–emphasizing each word.

 Dad’s frown deepened even further at his words while trying to decipher his veiled warning. 

“Have you forgotten the incident that happened with the Winston Empire, Mr. Knight?” Blake asked in a threatening tone. “It will only take me a few hours to burn everything that you have built to the ground.” 

He paused, glanced over at me and with a smirk, he said, “Regarding your daughter, she can forget about being a model or even stepping foot in the industry.”

 At those words, dad flinched slightly. He stared at the young man as if he was the devil in human form. Maybe he was?

“B-Blake...We are family...” he replied, his voice starting to crack.

At this omission, Blake’s smirk twisted into a disgusted sneer. 

“Heh…family? My relationship with this “family” started and will end with Victoria. But she isn’t here right now, is she?” he asked. “I strongly believe that Veronica is involved my Victoria's disappearance and I am not going to let her roam around freely! Unless, perhaps, you have some irrefutable evidence that proves she didn’t do it?” 

Dad stammered in anger, “Y-you…”

 I could see his body trembling after hearing Blake's allegations. Refusing to sit back and watch Blake destroy dad’s hard work, I shot out of my chair with my fists clenched. 

“Dad, just let him say what he wants,” I begged. “I don't want to cause you anymore trouble.”

 Shifting my attention to my accuser, I took a step forward and addressed him formally as he was no longer acknowledged as my family. 

“Mr. Blake, what exactly do you want?” I asked. “Please, don't drag my dad into this mess. I am not involved in Victoria's disappearance. But, since you are determined that I am guilty, I will cooperate in any way that I can just to prove that you’re wrong.” 

He glared at me. I guess he was irritated that I was maintaining my story of being innocent. Blake shoved his fists into his pockets and sauntered toward me. Warning bells rang loudly in my head as I tried to keep my composer. He towered over me and took a moment to choose his words.

 “Since her body can’t be found, I can’t be certain if she is alive or not. If she managed to stay alive, she probably reached an island located near BNS Ocean,” he explained. “However, that falls into territory of Raven Mafia. I want you to go with me to look for my wife. Until I find her, you are my main suspect.” 

Dad interjected, “You want to keep my daughter as your prisoner, Blake? What about her career?”

“Your other daughter is also missing, Mr. Knight. I can't believe how you are treating this matter. Shame on you for only thinking about Veronica’s career while my wife, who is also you daughter, is missing! Do you really think anyone will hire Veronica right now anyway?” he asked. “Those reporters outside are tearing her reputation to shreds as we speak.”

 I kept quiet with my head down as I was thinking about his proposition. Blake did have a point. Even If I managed to get out of here, nobody in their right mind would offer me a job. I had to prove that I was innocent. Biting my bottom lip, I cleared my throat.

 “I agree,” I said.

My dad looked at me astounded and somewhat angry.

 I shifted my eyes to Blake, and said, “Since I am unintentionally involved in this incident, I will come with you to help you find my sister. But on the day you find her, you must let dad and I go.”

It took him a moment to understand the sincerity of my words. 

“Deal!” he said through gritted teeth. 

“It's settled then,” I murmured.

 Dad was furious. Not uttering a single word more, he huffed in exasperation and slammed the door on his way out. 

“Follow me. We will be leaving for C nation tomorrow morning,” he said. 

I hummed in response and dragged my feet behind his brisk stride. After taking a few steps, my vision blurred. I shook my head and stubbornly took another step. However, that was not a good idea. I felt my body sway and my knees buckled. Instead of hitting the floor, I felt a pair of firm arms quickly wrap around me. My head was spinning and I heard someone… someone familiar. 

Victoria’s scream pierced my heart and I heard her say, “You killed me and my baby, Veronica!” 

My head was pounding as she continued, “You killed me! You must die too! You are a killer!”

I wanted yell that it wasn’t true. I knew it wasn’t true… It couldn’t be true. I welcomed the darkness that quieted my mind as I fell unconscious.