CHAPTER 98: ONE MILLION DOLLARS

The following day, my head was back to business and the matters at hand. As planned and scheduled days ago, I am an hour away from a live telecast, which will be aired worldwide and will be seen on national tv all across the globe.


This was my final noble step with regards to my search for Nicole. If this wouldn't grant and achieve the success I crave for, then I don’t know what else to do and might make me settle for the illegal way just to locate her whereabouts. As much as possible, I didn’t wish to taint my hands in finding her, but if I am left without a choice, then I am more than willing to pay for assassins just to have the justice I most desired for to acquire. But as for now, I hope and pray that this final rational action of mine would suffice my search.


“Are you certain about this, Baby? Because once you appear on national tv and disclose your purpose for a worldwide telecast, we know that a lot are willing to die for that hefty amount you would be offering.”


“I had to do this, Lewis. This is my last above board and lawful action, which I wish to finally end my search and close this case, so dad could truly have the peace he deserves.”


“It just worries me that you would be causing the entire world in a ruckus after you aired. People all around the world, especially greedy ones, would be restless until they get hold of your reward.”


“That’s the mere purpose why I am into this, Lewis. I want the whole world to know that I mean business and I am damn serious with it. I am not belittling the authorities and their capabilities in solving this case, what I would be doing would increase the possibility of finding Nicole. Imagine the whole world helping us to locate her, wouldn’t that be great?”


“But we cannot disregard the fact that there would be fake information that might arise afterwards, which might mislead us in the process.”


“That’s a small price to endure and deal with. I know this will work, I have a huge faith in this one” I determinedly concluded that made him sighed deeply.


“I hope you are right then, Baby. This is your final action after all, I hope it will work just as you said it would.”


The time has come and I was minutes away from being aired publicly at one of the most well-known broadcasting networks New York City has. All the cameras were ready and waiting for the countdown. I was seated in front of the networks’ improvised stage, together with a well-known and famous newscaster. I could feel my body tensing with nervousness and uneasiness.


“Ready when you are, Miss Hunt,” She conveyed to me. I gazed at her with utter determination, heaving a deep sigh before nodding.


“I’m ready.”


She signaled her hand and someone at the front of us loudly counted down for the start of the said show. At the man’s go signal, the newscaster commenced her opening remarks.


“We are now live and aired worldwide as we temporarily pause our regular show for a very important and highly exclusive one on one telecast with one of the world’s most wealthiest women our generation ever has. It was indeed an honor to be graced by her mere presence today and without much further ado, as people around the world will bear witness of this monumental occurrence, I now present to all of you the one and only and the sole owner of Hunt Global Corporation, Miss Penelope Hunt. The floor is all your, Miss Hunt.”


I looked straight in front of me, just as what was advised to me earlier on. I took one final deep breath, filling my lungs with sheer determination and courage before speaking up to the entire world.


“It wasn’t a secret as most of everyone here in New York City was aware of what recently occurred to my father and the course of action I administered almost two weeks ago. So far, the case hasn't progressed fruitfully and it deeply saddened me that the culprit was still at large. Today, I am here in front of everyone to convey my last draw and final action with hopes that this will finally seal the case and give justice to my father’s gruesome death” I saw myself slightly becoming smaller at the extra screen ahead of me, as the cameraman widened the camera’s scope, which showed several bundles of money all scattered on the table right in front of me. “One million dollars. I will give one million dollars, cold cash, to anyone who could tell me where I could find the culprit. It must be detailed and with concrete proof.”


“Christ Almighty!”


"Holy fuck!"


I could hear almost everyone inside the network in awe and utterly bewildered. Murmurs filled the entire space, not just with the hefty sum ahead of them, but mostly of what I announced. Some of them loudly gasped and some whistled in stunned and appalled, even the newscaster herself was in total surprise and looked at me with utmost disbelief.


“I am a businesswoman and I mean damn business. One million dollars will be handed automatically to whoever can give me this woman’s full location and whereabouts” As if on queue, a blown up picture of Nicole appeared on the side of the screen together with her detailed basic information and the contact numbers where they could get in touch with. “You pushed me in doing this, Nicole Christensen, now bear the consequences as you just earned yourself a million dollar bounty. Let’s see if you can still hide yourself and live the time of your life, now that the entire world will hunt you down for me.”


After I stared undisturbed and unwavering at the camera, my gaze fell at the newscaster and nodded at her, giving her a hint that I am done with what I was here for.


“There you are, people of the world. This was one bounty I believe the whole world would not neglect about. I bet the search could commence even before I conclude this telecast. Thank you once again, Miss Hunt. The rest of the station wished you all the luck and Godspeed.”


***


I couldn’t take my eyes off the television screen as I unbelievably stared at the face of the woman who was involved in a crime that shook the entire state of one the world’s most-sought after business capitals, while I swiftly jotted down the contact numbers on the screen.


I am not certain of what I was feeling right this very moment. I couldn’t distinguish if I was divinely blessed or just merely lucky, because I certainly knew by heart where this woman Penelope Hunt was in search of.


My eyes weren’t playing tricks on me. I am extremely certain that that woman on the screen a while ago, the one who killed Penelope Hunt’s father and whose name appears to be Nicole Christensen was the very same woman I countlessly had sex with days ago and met at the bar the other week. I couldn’t be mistaken. The woman I had sex with was here in Maldives for a reason. She was hiding for the crime she committed and was now at large.


Thinking about the one million dollar bounty and what it could do to my life made me immediately head towards the bathroom and take a quick bath. I need to focus on this one, because this will certainly change my life and make me filthy rich.


“You’re gonna be filthy rich, Dylan boy! One million dollars! Fucking shit! I am indeed one lucky son of a bitch!”


I moved as fast as I could and headed out the apartment I was renting. I shouldn’t slacked down even for a second and act swiftly or my million dollars would slip away from my grips. I started my car engine and purposely drove towards my destination.


‘I’m deeply sorry about this, Nicole baby. As much as I enjoyed fucking you, the enormous amount that Penelope Hunt will grant to me wouldn’t suffice the time I had with you. Who would have thought that you are my stepping stone in becoming filthy wealthy? Unfortunately for you, I had to end our little playtime and focus on what matters most to me, which is money. I would do anything to grab a hold of that large sum and you bet I will. No hard feelings, Sweetheart, but I am a business-minded person as well. It was nice knowing you though, Nicole Christensen.’