CHAPTER EIGHT

Karen looked around and smiled. Is the party over so soon? Why is everyone leaving already?

The Whitmores had gathered in the room,their expression tense. Karen couldn't help but break the tensed atmosphere. Why is everywhere so tensed? Are we going to keep looking at each other.The Queen mother,old madam stamped her stick against the ground, her eyes cold.

"What are you doing here?" she demanded."Why do you always like to ruin the family's moment?" What hole have you crept out from and what trouble are you here to cause this time?

Karen smirked. The black sheep of the family is back. At the very least I deserved a welcome party just like Louis here,Mother.

Just then,the butler announced the arrival of Master George–the monarch himself.

Karen let out a low chuckle. "Ah,the white sheep of the family has arrived."

George strode in,exuding power and authority. His presence commands attention,and even the Queen mother's sharp expression softened slightly.

Selene's heart leaped with joy at the sight of her husband. Finally her husband was back from the long day of work. He had been busy for weeks, tying up loose ends at work in order before officially handing over to Louis.

George turned to Karen and to everyone's surprise pulled him into a brotherly hug. Despite everything,despite the years of silence and distance,George had missed him. 

The Queen mother scoffed at this sight. "Hmph. Look at you,still shielding him after all these years. You should be more like your brother–he knows his responsibility and still has a big heart towards you." She said pointing her stick towards him, "you ungrateful child."

Karen smirked but didn't argue. "Well, I have never claimed to be responsible. That is George's role, isn't it?

Meanwhile,Louis sat in silence,his mind far from the family's banter. He couldn't shake off a growing unease–Star about her disappearance.

He stood up abruptly wanting to leave,the Queen mother interrupted "Are you already leaving Louis?" He went to her side "Grandma,I will come visit another time when we can have a proper discussion" 

She nodded approvingly, "You are such a blessing."

Louis strode out of the room wanting to leave when Karen's voice stopped him in his tracks.

"No goodbye for me,nephew?"

Louis hesitated. Karen's eyes glinted with something unreadable.

"You know," Karen continued casually,"the girl Louis is getting engaged to–she is different from the one you used to love. Are you not being committed to her?"

That's not Whitmores' like.

Louis stiffened. His heart pounded,but he didn't respond. Instead,he walked out,his thoughts swirling in confusion.

As he sat in the backseat of his car,Louis couldn't shake off the thoughts of what Karen had said.

His hand clenched into fists. What did Karen know? And why raise the question to him?

Karen might look like the reckless one–troublemaker. But now,he seems unsure. Maybe Karen knew far more than he was letting on.

"Boss, Karen seems to be leaving as well" The driver's voice cut through his thoughts. 

Louis' jaw tightened, "Track him. I want his entry logs,every place he's been today and every of his movements. Be discreet – Karen is meticulous. If he's been hiding for years without his hideout being known, only for him to resurface now, it means he is up to something.

Later in the night,in his study,propped up in his chair Louis sat before a full report. The outcome in front of him was predictable,yet it did little to ease his suspicions.He had only followed the normal standard procedure,careful not to alert the kidnapper. But deep down,he knew–the kidnapper is not an underrated one. The person behind Star's disappearance was calculated,dangerous.

A knock on the door.

John entered,his expression serious. "The team is ready, sir. Everything is in place."

He had already instructed John earlier to arrange for men as they are going for a mission.

Louis stood,his face unreadable. "We leave now."

As he strode out of the mansion,his usual demeanor cracked, revealing a raw, shimmering rage beneath. John had witnessed him in different shades before fearless in business,overbearing and ruthless. But this? This was different.This was personal.

Tonight, Louis wasn't just a Whitmore,he wasn't just the heir apparent to ascend the throne.

Tonight,he was a man ready to tear the world apart to bring Star back.

Meanwhile at the outskirts city,in the little room where Star was held hostage she was already planning her escape when the door burst open,this time with force.

She jumped,fear gripping her chest.She knew this kind of coming in wasn't to offer any peace treat–it was for something worse.

Three men this time,there were two other men with the lanky guy who came at first. The lanky one barked at the other man who was gawking over Star's beauty. "Quit the stare and drag her out! Boss is waiting".

Star's heart pounded. The real nightmare was about to begin.

She was dragged out and shoved to the floor in front of their boss. He sat in a large,imposing leather chair,his face marred by a jagged scar that ran down from his brow to his cheek. His presence alone sent shiver through the room.

With one leg casually propped over the other,he tapped his fingers against the armrest. His lips curled into a predatory smirk.

"Gently,you do not handle a delicate jewel like that with such rough hands,incompetent fools". He scolded.

The two men that had dragged her in instantly lowered their heads "We are sorry,boss".

He waved to them signaling their dismissal while he leaned forward,the dim light casting and eerie shadows over his features.He pulled her chin up,forcing her to meet his eyes.

"I've stories about your beauty," he mused, his voice dangerously low "I wanted to see for myself if it's true".

Star recoiled from his touch,jerking her face away from his palm.

The man's smirk deepened. "Fiesty," he murmured, amusement flickering in his eyes. "That will make this all the more interesting and fun".