Chapter 10
Confrontations
Damien
"What do you mean she's gone?" Albert's voice was curt and brimming with barely held rage.
Careful, I thought, narrowing my eyes. I put up with his tone because he was Elena's father and nothing else.
"It's like I said," I exhaled slowly, repeating the words I'd repeated twice already. "Elena's disappeared, she took her daughter to the hospital and hasn't been seen since then."
There was a long pause on the line as Albert took in the news.
"She's not here," Albert finally said, his tone mellow. "I'll call the authorities, she has to be found."
Indeed, I nodded my head. I had people checking all the nearby hospitals for any sight of her. I still held onto the hope that Elena had taken Lily to the hospital, in that case, it would be easy to find them.
"Think about how this will affect our arrangement," I paused, allowing the implications of my words to sink in. "If she's not found," I paused again. "It wouldn't be good for anyone."
I ended the call before Albert could say anything. A little pressure on Albert Kingston wouldn't do any harm, I thought. I quickly dialed another number.
"Priest," I hissed, muttering the name of the German investigator I had on my books. He didn't have a name, simply going by the name; 'Priest.'
Waiting around looking for traces of Elena wasn't going to work.
"Yes Sir,' Priest's voice was raspy and curt on the line.
"I need you to find someone," I went straight to the point.
"Elena Kingston," I paced back and forth in my wide office, my heels making the only sound to be heard in the office.
"You mean, your wife?" Priest's surprise echoed over the line.
"Yes, Priest," I snapped, massaging my brows. "She's gone missing. Find her, and fast." I was about to end the call when I paused.
"Priest."
"Yes sir?" Priest grunted.
"She has a friend…Jacinta Towers," I said as I recalled the name. I'd looked into her resume here at the office. She might know of Elena's whereabouts if Elena wasn't with her already.
"Keep this under wraps, Priest" I muttered, glancing out at the view. "I don't want the press getting wind of this," I added, my voice grave.
I couldn't afford to have news of Elena's disappearance in the news, that was publicity I couldn't afford.
"Yes sir, I'll get started," Priest didn't say much and he ended the call with a click.
I paced back and forth for a long moment, not able to sit still. Elena's disappearance was a problem, I had an upcoming dinner with my parents and Elena had to be there.
Priest had better get things arranged I thought, taking my seat. I'd just begun signing some documents when there was a knock at the door and Jared, my secretary/handyman walked in.
"Good morning sir," he nodded, dropping some documents on the desk. "These just came in from HR, they need your approval," he explained, tapping the documents.
I nodded, about to begin signing when I froze.
"What's this?" I hissed, flicking the first file back to him. "What does Victoria have to do with this?" My eyes spat fire as I glared at Jared.
Victoria was my half-sister, the figurative thorn in my side. She'd made it her life's mission to make my life miserable, she'd been the reason I'd gotten drunk last night.
Was this another of her ploys to undermine my authority and influence in the company? My eyes narrowed and I clenched my fists, anger coursing through me.
"I…" Jared looked hesitant, his eyes flashing. "I don't know what the proposal is about. Edward, the HR head wasn't in. I got this from his secretary, I don't —"
"Then get him here!" I snapped, interrupting Jared. "He has…" I glanced at the wall clock. "Ten minutes. If he isn't in here in ten minutes tell him to not bother coming anymore."
Jared's expression changed but he didn't dare say anymore. "Yes sir," he nodded repeatedly before he turned and rushed out.
Audacious! I leaned back in my chair, annoyance filling me. I scanned the document again, my sharp eyes picking out the discrepancies in it.
It was a promotion proposal for a few employees. When I'd taken over as CEO a few months ago I'd dismissed some underperforming HOD's and some positions hadn't been filled.
Victoria had her claws in this, my eyes narrowed as I stared at the proposed names on the list. 'David, Phillips, Ortis, Magdalena…' I ran through the names and my expression became colder.
These people were all names associated with Victoria one way or the other, I would be dumb to believe she wasn't up to something.
"Mr. Damien," a warm voice snapped me out of my thoughts. I looked up in time to see Edward striding through the door.
He was a tall stout man in his early fifties, his hair was greying and the black suit he wore gave him an executive look.
I nodded slightly. "Mr. Edward, what's this all about?" I pushed the document across the desk. I didn't offer him a seat.
"What?" His eyes flashed in surprise and he picked up the document, scanning through it for a moment.
"Are you aware of this?" I asked coldly, not mincing my words. "It must be nice," I continued, my tone biting. "Plotting with my sister behind my back."
"I…" Edward froze, my accusation startling him. "I do not understand, Mr. Damien," his expression relaxed deliberately and he dropped the document back on the desk.
"This is a routine occurrence, Mr Damien," Edward adjusted his glasses. "This doesn't have anything to do with your sister."
"Hmmmm," his words made my anger surge the more and the air in the room became heavy, weighing down on us as I glared at him for a long moment. Edward held his ground, his face a mask of calm.
He was a wily old fox I knew, I couldn't punish him without a good reason and he knew that.
"These are the names I want to see on that list," I took out a paper and pen and scribbled a few names.
Edward stepped forward and took the list, his eyes widened as he read through it.
"But… but…" he stammered.
"But nothing," I snapped. "Put those names on the list, or…" my eyes flashed with cold lights. I left my words hanging, the threat evident.
Edward was a smart man, he wouldn't like to find out what I'd do if he didn't follow instructions.