Chapter 9 ** Owed Victoria **

Chapter 9
**||VERONICA'S POV||**
I couldn’t believe that Blake just slapped me in front of so many people. Sure, I understand that he thought I ran away; but even so, to fucking hit me?! No one had ever treated me so unjustly. He didn’t even give me a chance to explain. What the hell?
Asher crouched down and pulled me up off the floor. He was absolutely furious, but he took the time to rub my arms with his hands trying his best to comfort me. My heart melted at his kind gesture.
Turning to Blake, he growled, “What the fuck are you doing?!”
Asher wasn't in his uniform so Blake couldn’t possibly know that the man he had been looking for was right in front of him.
More than ready for a fight, Blake yelled, “Who are you to lecture me? Just who exactly do you think you are?”
His infuriated tone echoed between us and, as I was still in shock and in pain, I completely forgot why I was here. Asher looked at Blake with utter disgust. His taunt muscles ticked. For a brief moment, I felt like a woman trapped between two lovers! Asher stomped toward Blake but then I came back to reality.
Shaking the delusions from my head, I shouted, “Stop!”
At my raised voice, I earned a bunch of strange looks from the people passing by trying to board their flight. I took a breath and used the same voice of authority I’ve heard my dad use in his business meetings.
“There's no need to argue. Blake, meet Asher Maxwell, the Chief General of C Nation,” I said while shifting my eyes to Asher, who was still glaring at Blake. “Asher, this is Blake Davidson, my brother-in-law.”
The look of surprise was evident in both of their eyes. Blake's jaw clenched firmly and Asher turned to me, looking like he had a hundred questions to ask me. I exhaled a deep sigh and, while rubbing on my arms, I murmured, “I will explain everything once we go back to the house.”
…
Once it was settled that we would all return to Blake's mansion together, Asher said farewell to his friend before joining us in the car. The two men rode in silence and didn't utter a single word. Ever since I introduced them, it seemed like they had declared a cease fire.
Reaching the inside of the mansion, I asked Asher to sit down and went to fetch something for him to eat. By the time I walked out of the kitchen, they both were both calmly speaking to one another. I exhaled a deep sigh of relief... This was good. No dominance fights so far.
After I took the seat beside Asher, he firmly stated, “That’s impossible! I’ve known Veronica since childhood. She could never commit such a heinous crime. Besides she adored her older sister.”
I smiled faintly at Asher. At least, he believed me and didn't jump to conclusions, unlike a certain someone else in the room. Blake's expression remained unchangeable. He simply stood up and walked over to place a file in front of Asher.
“This is the evidence I have personally gathered of Veronica's involvement in this incident. I hope, after you look through it, you still won't think that I am deliberately trying frame Veronica,” he said while glancing at me. “I have no other intentions than finding Victoria. She is not only my wife but she is also carrying my child.”
Asher filtered through the papers carefully and his face paled. He snapped the folder shut and glared at Blake.
“Though you have a few points, all of what you have gathered is circumstantial bullshit. I still believe that Veronica isn't involved–”
“Belief isn’t enough to clear someone of their crimes. However, if she can prove herself innocent, I will offer her a public and formal apology. But until that happens, she is still my main suspect,” Blake stated pointedly.
Asher let out a helpless sigh, gathered the file in his hands and stood up.
“Alright, let me see what I can do. I had already taken leave from C Nation so I’ll have to rejoin their ranks again. I’ll speak to my superior and let you know soon,” he informed as he made his way to the door.
I smiled with tears of gratitude in my eyes.
“Asher... Thank you... I don't know how to even begin to repay you,” I said, wiping my eyes.
Assuring me with his brilliant smile, he replied, “Hush! No need to be formal, Veronica! We’re friends for life. You remember our vows, don’t you?”
Smiling, I nodded. He still remembered the promise we made to each other while we were in elementary school. It was true, we had been good friends… best friends.
“Don't be scared, Veronica! The truth will come to light soon enough. Wait for my news and I will come to visit you tomorrow. But”–he paused, looked over at Blake with concern and lowered his voice–“are you going to stay here? You could come with me. I have my own quarters in the Croset Zone.”
“Veronica will stay here. That isn’t even up for discussion,” Blake said with force. Getting up from his spot and walking over to us, he said, “At present, she is my responsibility, General Asher. You may visit her at anytime, but she is staying here with me.”
I gave Asher a weak smile and assured him that I would be fine. After all, there wasn’t anything I could do. I’m still a murderer in Blake’s eyes. He wouldn’t let me leave and Asher didn't insist any further. He comforted me with soft words and then left.
I sighed as I watched him leave. Coming out of the sitting room, I saw Blake standing by the front door. He stared at me with a vacant expression and his lips moved as if he wanted to say something. A brief moment passed, and he turned away without saying a word. Standing alone in the hallway, I hugged my arms feeling cold and made my way upstairs to bed. At least, I was able to stop Asher from leaving.
…
Quick footsteps woke me from my sleep. I frowned and sat up in bed while wondering who would be running around at this time of night. Sighing, I got out of bed and went to open the door. I peaked outside and saw the housekeeper quickly coming up the hallway. Her anxious expression had me instantly worried. Coming out of my room, I approached her.
Seeing the bowl of water in her hands, I asked, “What's going on?”
“The Master has a high fever, ma’am. I am trying to reduce his temperature but nothing is working.”
How did that man get a fever? He looked as if nothing could hurt him.
“Have you contacted a doctor?” I asked.
“Yes ma’am. I have contacted them but no one is available now. As you know, Master Blake doesn’t have that many connections here in C Nation. The doctor’s are all refusing to make a house call so late at night,” she explained and then left to go straight to Blake’s room.
Feeling worried, as I knew that sometimes high fevers could be life threatening, I followed her into Blake's room.
“Have you given him any medicine or anything to eat? He needs proper nutrition in order to recover,” I said.
“I did give him some medicine ma’am, but it’s not working. Also, the kitchen has not been restocked and all of the staff was dismissed for the day an hour ago.”
Frowning, I said, “That won’t do. He will need to eat, especially after taking medicine.”
“I don’t know what else to do ma’am. I can’t leave because it is my job to watch over and take care of the house. What am I to do?” she asked.
I could hear the helpless in her voice. Walking over to her, I patted her shoulder trying to comfort her. “Then let me go out to buy some ingredients at the nearest store. Surely, there must be at least one that is open at this hour,” I suggested.
The woman hesitated. “But ma’am, it's so late at night! What if you fall in danger? The Master will–”
“I will be fine. Right now, his health is more important.”
She continued speaking, but I didn't hear her as I went to my room to get ready to leave.
Even though he was a relentless sadist towards me, I couldn't let him die. I felt like I owed Victoria that much!