Chapter 84

James POV

"Not yet sir. He is still in a coma and the detective is working on the case", Brittany said her voice tinged with regret.

"Tell him to work faster", James said as he removed his shirt.
"Yes sir", Brittany said complacently

"Hold the fort for today Brittany", James said as he absently upped her workload.
Brittany who is used to his demands replied affirmatively and cut the call.

James then entered his study room and searched those photos the media is talking about on the internet. He has to see for himself what they are and how much of it is the truth. After all, photoshop is not difficult to master nowadays.

As he clicked on each site, picture after picture of their date came to life before his eyes. Each one is in a different posture. Him in her home, they both standing close but not touching... in her kitchen... in her car... in the fare... their dance in the rain... Their almost kiss, every moment has been captured. And in every single photo, his Bella looked shy... radiant, her eyes sparkling.
His eyes fixed on Bella's red face... she bent head... her eyelashes... her rosy lips... her shy smile.
James slowly traced her face with his eyes in each photo and felt a pang in his chest. She was so happy... her eyes hopeful, expectant. And he has ruined that look in her eyes. He crushed it with his arrogance.

There were so many. In one photo, she was biting her bottom lip with her teeth as she gazed with lustful eyes at him. James wanted to tear the eyes of everyone who has seen his Bella like this. James swiftly downloaded those photos for himself before Brittany did her work.

It was meant for his eyes only. James's blood boiled imagining those lechers looking at Bella's blush. No one but him has the right to look at these photos.

Someone had followed them throughout the day and he had no knowledge. James felt angry at himself for making Bella's security lightly. He should have let his security team tag along. To ease any awkwardness between him and Bella, he has left the team behind. And now it has bitten him in his ass.

Because of him... whatever is happening to her is because of him. He should have listened to Brittany and Agatha. Because of his stubbornness, Bella is facing the consequences. Guilt gnawed his insides.

He stood with such force that his chair toppled. Unable to look into those happy moments any longer, James walked aimlessly into his house.

James has no idea how he ended up in the gym but he did. He walked to the punching bag and donned his gloves.

James unleashed his fury against it as his mind ran through each what-if.

What if that guy had some dark ideas?

Punch.

Some pictures had been taken right outside of her kitchen window. How could he have been careless?

Punch.

What if instead of a camera he had a gun?

He gave a kick with his right foot.

What if when he went into the mobile store, he kidnaped Bella? What would he have done then?

Punch.

How could he bear if someone forcefully puts their hands on her?

Punch.

James

Bella's husky voice saying his name ringed in his ears.

He slammed harder, putting his strength behind the punch, sweat dripping down his body, soaking his pants.

Have you felt guilty James?

He pounded his frustration out with explosive punches that increased in speed with each punch on that punching bag until it tore, making a hole in it.

James clutched the swinging now ripped punching-bag, as he controlled his breathing. He took off the gloves strenuously and threw them carelessly on the floor. This is not the time to think about his emotions. No. First, he has to find out who was behind those photos.

James contemplated while taking the shower, his hands on the wall, his head bent, water dripping over his body.

Jacqueline wouldn't have followed herself behind them. No. She wouldn't take the risk. Instead, she must have hired someone.

However, why would someone help her? They themselves could have easily profited from selling those photos. With her purse strings cut, she couldn't have afforded much. What is missing?

Unless... unless that person has some personal grudge against him. James could write a long list of names whom he has pissed. Who could this one be? Well... there is only one person who will tell him.

"David!"James clad in a towel stood on the top of the staircase and called his bodyguard.
"Yes, Mr. McKenzie?"

"Find out where Anna is hiding. Track her phone, cards. She wouldn't have gone far. I want those details by the time I get ready", James ordered as he folded his arms and looked seriously at him.

"Yes Mr. McKenzie", David said reverently, willing to prove to his boss that he is worthy of his position.

Once his boss went inside his bedroom, David got busy and swiftly made some phone calls. Within minutes he held the details specifying Annabel McKenzie in his hands. Feeling proud of himself, he extended those details to his boss.

"Ready the jet", James said as he looked at the photo of Anna vacating in a resort. He crushed it slowly in his hands, his anger building inside him.

James looked at the 5-star resort before him. His life toppled upside down, his Bella is suffering through a malicious onslaught of the media... and the person who helped with this circus is enjoying this luxurious life on his dime.

James's anger built inside him like a volcano that is about to erupt. David chatted with the receptionist for a minute and reported to him Anna's room number along with the key. A few greens have done the trick.

"She is lounging at the swimming pool", David said remotely.

"Let her enjoy the few minutes of her freedom", James said without any emotion in his voice.
He then sat in the armchair that is present in her room, with his hands clasped, and waited for her.

He doesn't have to wait long. Anna barged into the room in a swimsuit which is covered by a sheer coverup that displays her body more than covering it.

Unknown of his presence, she chatted giddily on her phone about an upcoming party.
"Hello, dear sister", James said calmly, his voice carrying through the room.

Anna's body went rigid at the voice of her stepbrother. Oh no! How did he find her so soon, she thought to herself?

Anna slowly turned, hoping it to be her imagination only to face her living nightmare.
"Ja...James", Anna stuttered as she slowly backed towards the door.

"Not a single step Anna or else the police will be on you before you reach the ground floor", James said as he glared at her with a narrowed gaze.

"Po... police? What... What are you talking about? Why... why would the police be behind... me?" Anna stammered as she clumsily wiped the sweat on her forehead

"You tell me, Anna. Why wouldn't it be?" James asked with a clenched jaw

"I... I...", Anna searched the room to stall him somehow but her panicked mind wouldn't be kept quiet.

Jacqueline has left her to the Wolf while she herself faded into the mist. She should have never followed Jacqueline. Now, look at what came out of it!

Anna scanned her stepbrother trying to decipher the level of his anger. It's not looking good.
"James... whatever it is we could discuss it like civilized people. Why bother the police for some silly matter", Anna tried cajoling.

"Silt matters! Silly matter!"James stood, his anger mounting higher at the casual way Anna swept the matter under the rug. Bella's name got slandered and she has the guts to stand before him and say it is just a 'silly matter!'

James clenched his fists as he said through his teeth, "stop procrastinating Anna. We both know what you have done and what role you played in that media stunt"

"What media stunt? I have no hand in it", Anna asked, confused. As soon as she realized Jacqueline would not help her, she hightailed from there.

"By feigning ignorance, you are digging your grave deeper Anna", James said with a muscle ticking in his jaw.

"It's true. It is Jacqueline's doing. I have no hand in it. Other than letting her know about your lover, I haven't done anything", Anna said, hastily nodding her head to make him believe her.
"That was enough Anna. You consciously lit the fire. Now you will burn in it", James informed undeterred.

"What are you talking about? James! Surely, it's not that big of a crime to involve the police", Anna said as sweat trickled along her spine. What happened that James is threatening the police?
"It is, Anna. I warned you. But you had the guts to cross me. Now enjoy your stay behind the bars", James said as he walked towards the door, sidestepping her.

"Wait! James! You can't be serious. What about my image? Please, James. We could settle the matters here. I don't want to go to jail", Anna tried to grab his arm, but he was fast.

"I don't give a fuck Anna. You dared to harm one of my own. I couldn't oversee that", James said as he walked through the corridor.

"No! James! You can't do this. We are family. Think about the scandal. I'm your step-sister, James", Anna begged as she followed him.

"You should have thought about the relationship before messing up my life Anna. You have crossed one too many lines to ignore this. I have nothing else to say to you. David!"James shouted, alerting his bodyguard to bring the policemen.

There must be something that will help me get out of this mess, Anna thought. She wrung her hands as she remembered the tidbit that she learned in that restaurant in London.

"But I have something to say. Something very important that you want to hear", she grabbed his arm stopping him from leaving.

"Whatever you have to say, Anna, I'm not interested in hearing it. You could say that to your fellow jail mates", James informed not looking at her.

"No! Please James, wait! Don't you want to know who helped Jacqueline here? Who kept tabs on you while you visited your girlfriend?", Anna three the net hoping he would fall for it.

James stopped mid-stride as he listened to her. Anna sensing his attention continued, "promise me you won't hand me to the police if I say the name"

"Anna, you are treading on thin ice", James stated as he turned to face her.

"No, James. Trust me, it is important to you. Promise me", Anna said with false bravado.
"Fine!" James answered with his mouth set in a hard line

"It is Perla", Anna blurted out with a satisfied smirk as she thought she was escaping the claws of this wolf scot-free.

"I have guessed it as such. Why is it important to me?" James asked cocking his face
Anna sensing her freedom slipping from her fingers replied, "because Jacqueline has to blackmail her to do it. Can you guess what she used against Perla?"

"If it is Perla, it could be anything. And I'm not interested in hearing her deep secrets about Anna. This is not worth anything", James replied as he shed her hold on him and strode forward.
"No, no, wait! This secret is worthy. Because it is connected to you. You see, Jacqueline blackmailed Perla with a secret she found out by accident", Anna shouted as she followed him. Fed up with her theatrics, James turned to her, his arms folded.

"Anna" James drawled in warning, commanding her to hurry up.

"Yes... yes... well, Perla is not your biological mother", Anna wheezed out as she finally caught up with him.