CHAPTER SIX

In a building at the outskirts of Silvermore city,Star's eyes fluttered open. A sharp, splitting headache surged through her skull as she looked around her,unfamiliar to her surroundings.

"Where am I?", she questioned herself while holding her head as she gently comes down from the bed as she groggily took in her surroundings.

She used her hand trying to trail the wall as she stood up. The door to the dimly lit room screeched open all of a sudden and a tall,lanky guy stepped in. Star's heart pounded as she looked up at him.

"Who are you?" "Where is this place?" she demanded.

It was then it occurred to her that Maria had handed a dress to her to check in the dressing room. Moments later everything had gone black and then here she was. Her breath hitched as panic took hold.

"Where is my friend?" "What are you going to do to me?

Curling into herself, she pressed against the cold wall, fear gripping her entirely.

The man scoffed at her, "Better be worry about yourself. When the boss comes you will know what ordeal he has planned for you".

His words sent a shiver down her spine. Questions raced through her mind–who might have had her kidnapped? Who was this boss? What did they want from her?

Meanwhile, back at Silvermore, Louis had ordered all the exit of the city to be closely monitored,and ensuring discretion to avoid alerting the kidnappers.

"Boss," an officer reported, "every exit of the city is now under surveillance.Also,all the entry logs into the city for the day has been requested."

Louis nodded. "Good. Keep me updated."

"The case of the kidnapping should be kept within the circle and not leaked out one way or the other."

John stepped forward. "Sir, there is a call from the ancestral house. They are requesting your presence at the welcome party,"

Louis exhaled sharply, "I will handle it".

"Summon the manager and staffs on duty today". He ordered John. 

"Yes boss,"he turned around immediately and get into action.

He turned to Maria and Raymond, his voice firm and reassuringly. "I will bring Star back. You have my word. I promise".

Maria who already bawled her eye out over her missing friend,look straight up to Louis and asked.

"Are you sure,you are going to bring her back? Hope you won't fail her?"

"I will bring her back to you,she is going to be fine" Louis promised.

Raymond slightly calmer now,nodded "I trust you, Louis. Thank you."

John escorted Maria and Raymond back home, ensuring extra security was in place Before leaving he bowed his head slightly.

"I will be heading out now. These men will remain here to monitor your safety as instructed by Louis.

With that he hurried off into the night,as Raymond escorted back to the door.

At the grand ancestral mansion,the party was in full swing. Lisa joined the party over again as she paraded herself around with her shoulders so high,a smug smile on her face.

Finally,with her plans going smoothly,Star is going to be out of her way and Louis all hers,she thought triumphantly.

Everything was falling into place as she had it planned out.

As she walked past the lobby,she caught a glimpse of the butler handing the phone over to Selene.

"Madam,Master Louis is on the line now," he said bowing slightly as he handed the phone to her.

Selene swiftly took the phone,her voice laced with urgency.

"Hello,son? Where are you?"

"Hello,mother,I will be heading over soon,I had a late meeting with some officials" Louis responded smoothly at the other end.

Relieved Selene put the phone down,"Prepare to receive the young master right away,he is on his way now",Selene ordered the butler.

As the butler hurried off,he crossed path with Lisa at the entrance and inclined his head politely."Miss Stones".

Lisa barely acknowledged him,her focus only on Selene.

Selene worried about how stressed and tasking his Son's new role is,jolted back hearing Lisa's name.

Her face warmed up with smile as she saw Lisa."Come dear," she beckoned on Lisa who was at the door. 

She held her hand tightly and smiled warmly "Louis will soon be here and he is so lucky to have an understanding woman like you."

Lisa was excited,her heart swelled up with satisfaction "Of Course, Mother, I will always be here to support Louis in his career. He is my safe place".

Selene smiled, seeing a reflection of her younger self in Lisa– a woman who always place her family before everything else.

Outside,Louis had arrived at the mansion John by his side.He had rushed over to the party not to leave room for suspicion whatsoever. He had ensured all the employees at the shopping mall had been silenced–no loose ends,no leaks to ensure everything is under check.

"You are welcome,Master Louis," the butler greeted opening the door to his car. 

Louis gave a curt nod as he strode inside.

As he was about to head inside, a car pulled into the driveway the headlight towards them. His gaze darted to the plate number–it bore the emblem of the Whitmores',he stopped in his track immediately to check out who the person in the car is.

Strange,who could that be?

Just as he was about to step inside,he heard that familiar voice called out to him.

"Louis,my nephew,welcome back".

Louis turned sharply,his chest tightened as he recognised the man standing before him.

Uncle Karen

His uncle that has been away for a long long time,what is he doing here? Was the first question that popped out of his mind. Why now? Why had he returned suddenly?

Karen smirked, stepping closer. "What's this? No warm welcome for your dear uncle?Have you grown so big and important now that you don't greet family anymore?

Louis clenched his jaw hiding his unease. What could have possibly brought out after all these years of hiding. What mischief is he up to this time around?