###Chapter 67

Chapter 67



'Oh, so you know he did it for you? Hmmmm... That one is a good point. You both planned it, right? Saying indirectly, you knew about it all along. In fact, you both worked together to do that to me. Is that how desperate you are? To frame me of something i know nothing about and make the officials turn against me, making them think I'm a bad person. Nice one, Miss Sapphire but, play better next time." Rowan attacked her not minding her facial expression. He was done playing cool and was indeed ready for any reaction. But to his surprise, Sapphire only frowned her face and didn't utter a word and he wondered why but just as he was about to chill, he heard her speak.

Sapphire made a disgruntled face..."I didn't. And I'm not that desperate to get the conglomerate. My hardwork will..." Rowan interrupted her.

" You will do what exactly?" Rowan asked and it provoked her the more. If not for Old Lan, she wouldn't be having such a nonsense conversation with him.

Sapphire rolled her eyes and chose not to answer, 'How much to pay for the damages caused?" She asked and Rowan burst out laughing.

" You think you can pay me? Or I need your money? Come on, you should be smarter than this." Rowan mentioned. The fact remains that Rowan was way richer than Sapphire and he was richer than most conglomerate chairman. Sapphire got embarrassed but didn't show. She folded her arms and relaxed more on the sofa.

"What if he decides to report me to the commissioner of police? What else can I give to him? What will he ask of me? Or will he even let Lan go." She asked herself in her thought. Her focus was on Rowan as she noticed his bright eyes, "No, no, this can not be happening. I can not be admiring him." She lamented and diverted her stares as she felt Rowan might read her mind through her eyes.

" What do you want then?" Sapphire asked as her mind went up. Rowan was a jerk, Maybe not to others but to her.

"The conglomerate. Step down and let me lead. You should be in the arms of a man. Enjoying whatever couples do and not here and make plenty babies." Rowan wanted to say but he knew that was stupid of him. He appreciated women who hold their heads up in the society and he admired Sapphire for her bravery and courage to be such an hardworking business woman.
" You should think about what you can give me." He said and smirked. He wasn't thinking at that moment and his mind was already filled with what he had to do for the day.
"Keep hoping. When you have something to say, let me know because i can't have this conversation going on in this manner." Sapphire stood up to leave but his voice made her stop. She didn't turn, it wasn't necessary. Rowan was going to tease her as usual, all she had to do was just listen to his rubbish and leave.

"I will release him." Roman finished and paused to study her reaction, " It's not like i have anything with him but, the next time I get my eyes on him or he tries it again. He will rot in jail and that's a promise. In return for his release, he must come out to tell the truth to everyone. He should let everyone know about this evil plots." She didn't turn back to thank him, she just nodded and walked away. He wasn't that bad after all.

Rowan was expecting a response from her but to his greatest surprise, she only nodded her head and calmly walked away with her heels announcing her every move. Annoying, she just listened attentively and didn't even turn back at him. What a character in a mannerless lady!

"Arghhh! What an attitude." He sighed before picking up his phone to call the commissioner of police.

After Sapphire left Rowan's office, she went to the police station and saw Old Lan already waiting for her. His body was still bruised and the police informed her that his ally has been arrested and jailed.

"Where is him?" Sapphire asked and when she saw the boy, he looked so young. She can't let him stay there too. It was because of Old Lan he was in the mess too.

"I will bail them." She finally uttered.

" Okay." One of the female officers said and walked away. And so bailed Old Lan and the technologist he hired.

"Thank you!" The young boy said before leaving.

Sapphire was tapped on the shoulder by one of the officers that arrested Rowan the first time, at the meeting room.

"What do you want?" Sapphire asked as she felt uncomfortable with his touch. If not because he was an officer, she would have humiliated him publicly but unfortunately, she didn't have such authority like Rowan. He was like a god to everyone and it pained her bitterly.

"Mr. Rowan said you should do as you were told." He stated and Sapphire frowned.

" Did he tell you that?" She asked as she looked him up and down but, he looked not bothered either.

Instead, he walked closer and whispered in her eyes, "Actually, he told the commissioner of police and we got our eyes on you." He answered.

Sapphire took Old Lan straight to the hospital for check ups and also to get ointment for his bruises. He looked red from all the beating. Though she kept wondering why Rowan just agreed to free him. It was so unexpecting.

"How are my sure he is not planning of something else? Or Maybe he just want everyone to see him as a good person. He wants to win the heart of the officials. What a tricky person he is. And for Old Lan to come out publicly to announce that, will only make her less to get the conglomerate." She thought inwardly as she watched the nurses care for Old Lan.

Her phone ringing tone woke her back to reality and she smiled as she saw who the caller was. It was her friend. And she haven't called her for days.

'You are a wicked friend. I hate you and still love you. Jezzz... How did we become friends because you don't deserve me." The caller said with her tiny voice and Sapphire couldn't help but smile. Honestly she wronged the caller so she took a deep breath before speaking up.

"Hey Nancy. How are you doing?" She pretended not to have heard her friend.

"Tell me you didn't hear what I said. I'd just end the call already. You're too annoying." Her friend joked but sounded serious.

"Okay... Okay... I am sorry. I'm sorry for whatever you think I did to you." Sapphire replied and without being told, she knew she had clicked on her friend's red button.

Nancy has been her friend since high school. Well, they didn't really start up as friends. At the beginning, they were worst enemies. Sapphire was the school bully and when Nancy resumed, she bullied the girl alot until one day, Nancy wasn't in the mood. Sapphire came to bully her as usual but Nancy fought back. Throwing punches on Sapphire's stomach and soon, the teachers came in and separated them. Because of disobeying the rules of the school by fighting, they were taken to the principal's office and given detention for a week.

And funny enough, that was how their relationship as two best friends grew. They were so close that they did everything together and also applied for the same University.

Sapphire told Nancy about coming to take what belongs to her but, she didn't call her friend to tell her more about the officials and Roman. Nancy, knew nothing about all she was facing of recent.

"Can you be less annoying right now? For days, you have not called me to know how i am fairing. Since you left, you have not called and when I texted you, i didn't get a reply. Did i wrong you? Are you okay?" Nancy asked with a bit of concern.

" I don't know where to start from. Since i got here, i haven't have time for myself. I'm sorry!" She finally apologized.

" Whatever. So how are you?" Nancy asked.

" I'm exhausted. Can we talk later in the day? I need to take care of something right now." She said that because the nurse was waiting for her so as to prescribe drugs for Old Lan. The call ended and Sapphire turned to the nurse.

"How is he?" She asked getting ready for the worst but to her surprise.

"He is fine. He just need enough rest, and everything will be fine." The nurse reassured.

Some minutes later, Sapphire and Old Lan left the hospital and went straight home. Old Lan couldn't believe Roman would just free him without something in return. He kept looking at Sapphire and wandered what she has done to get him released. He was so curious that he asked.

"Did you see Rowan?" He asked dryly, not looking at Sapphire. His eyes were looking out the window instead. He was ashamed. Though, his plan was an excellent one but, Rowan just escaped it in a blink of an eye.

"Yes." And she ended the conversation just like that. That wasn't usual.

Deep down, Sapphire was thinking of who to take in as a replacement for Old Lan. The man was old and his attic too. She didn't want to keep putting him in such a position. What if Rowan has not allowed his release? What if Rowan decided to keep him in jail and let him rot like he threatened? What if, just what if. What about if her questions got answered negatively? And she decided to get a new secretary.

"You bribed him or..." He was yet to finish his statement when Sapphire interrupted. She didn't know what he wanted to ask but it was of no need.

"Nothing. I didn't do anything. He just agreed to release you. Let's stop talking about that for now. You heard the nurse right?" She sounded a bit harsh and uninterested. She was beginning to doubt herself. Maybe the best was to just step down already. Just few days and her head was aching severally.

Old Lan looked pale. He didn't know if Sapphire slept with Roman to release him. She wasn't saying anything. All she was doing was cut their conversation short. He knew she was angry and disappointed. Even him too. But, he would never forgive himself if he finds out that Rowan laid his hand on his baby girl. He only wanted Sapphire's happiness. Even though she would never see him as her real father, he cared less about that but always wanted her happy. It was a big deal for him to see her always win.

Usually, they always joked and talked about business until they get home but the drive home was awkwardly quiet.

Old Lan finally dropped his gaze on Sapphire. She was just relaxing on the chair with her head up.

Finally, they got home and Sapphire helped him enter the house. Still, not a word. She then laid him on his bed and that was when he heard her speak.

"The maid will bring your food soon. You heard what the nurse said. Recovery first." Sapphire said like she was reading his thoughts but, he still felt the urge to ask.

"So, what do you plan to do now?" He asked as he lowered his head to avoid eyes contact.

"I don't know yet. I'm still thinking. Just tired already." Sapphire said and stormed off.

She knew it wasn't right to show her anger but, then, she was frustrated and didn't know how to keep fighting. Rowan's mockery smile was the only picture she had flashing in her head.

"Okay. Know I'm always here for you." He said and watched Sapphire give a wry smile before leaving.

She got to the living room and collapsed on the sofa.

"What a day!" She sighed and turned on the TV. It only showed music videos. She needed to get her mind off everything, and then, she thought of the promised call.