CHAPTER 26

"Just drive." he deadpanned. "I have nowhere to go today. I should keep my sister-in-law company, right?"
       Inconceivable. I shouldn't decline. If I return late, I could use him as an excuse. That's great. "Sure." I grinned. "I don't even know you too well. This could be the best time to bond. But you're driving. It's like you were sent from above. I was just wondering who would drive for me, my hands are flimsy."
       "Anything for my in-law." Max jumped down from the backseat, opened the driver's door, and entered while I sat beside him. "Shall we?"
       After giving him the address, he narrowed his eyes and inquired about my decision to visit his dad's old factory. I needed someone to talk to so I immediately narrated everything to him. Unlike his half-brother, he didn't seem amused or hysterical. Rather he drove calmly, keeping his eyes on the road.
     "So, how long are you going to keep enduring my brother?" Max asked.
      I looked up at him and smiled. He had an edgy smile on his face. It was very obvious that he pitied me. I waved my hand at him and coldly replied. "Just keep your eyes on the road and drive. If you start sobbing, it would be impossible to see clearly."
      "But," He made a U-turn and drove into an empty land. "We are here. I'll just look for where to park the car."
       But they said old factory. This isn't a factory but a land. "Max," I scanned the place. "This isn't a factory."
       "Yeah. There used to be a Factory here but it was demolished. Dad wants to build another hotel on this land instead." He turned off the engine and gave a sign to me to step down.
       These people could have just made it clear that it was land. If Max hadn't come with me, I won't have found this place. Wow. They are very successful indeed. I admired the land as I stepped down from the car. This land is so huge.
       I looked around and saw an average man standing like a sculpture far away. I walked up to the old man. He looked like he was around his 40s. He had in his hand a pistol.
       When I got close to him, I noticed the scar on his face. He looked quite familiar but I just couldn't picture where I knew him from.
       "Where is the money?" He had this killer look in his eyes, one that could wake a dead man. I pulled back a little before looking straight back at him.
       "I gave your men the money the last time. Do I look like a money-making machine?" One of the men from earlier whispered into his ear and drew back.
      "1 million," he said with a booming, authoritative tone. "I'll only speak once I see the money."
       "Are you for real?" I jabbed. The deal earlier had changed. These people thought money fell from the tree or was planted somewhere in Mr. Smith's backyard. "I gave you so much money the last time and you didn't even give me any information. Do you realize how much trouble I'm in because of that money I stole, huh?"
       The short ugly man was determined to remain quiet till I brought out the money. I had run out of ideas and words. His heart was crafted from stone. Nothing I said moved him rather he stared harshly at me, remaining obstreperous in his word.
       "Here's my wristwatch." Max walked briskly towards us and threw the wristwatch at the guy. "It's worth over 3.5 Million. Tell her what she needs to know and let's get out of here."
       He bent low and picked up the watch. For a while there I thought his pride wouldn't let him but he proved to be the biggest scam.
       "3.5 Million." The smile on his face knew no end. He couldn't even feign to be sensitive. "3.5 Million dollar wristwatch?" he echoed in disbelief.
       "You can have someone sensible check it for you. We don't have much time. Tell her everything, we need to get out of here."
      "Mr. Smith loved Rosie a lot. She was his secretary and they were having a secret relationship. Rosie needed to be famous. She knew she wouldn't be able to get your father-in-law for herself because he was married or your husband so she set Mr. Smith up. That day she invited him over and spiked his drink. It was quite easy though. Your dad was so crazy over her that he didn't realize that he was being set up."
       "I already know all this!" I moved forward angrily as if I was about to strangulate him. "Tell me more about her and why she's trying to ruin our lives."
       Max didn't utter a word. He must have been shocked by the whole truth or maybe he didn't expect me to know. Regardless, my only concern was knowing about Rosie and her plans.
       "Are you here for Rosie Downs or the girl in your house? Intelligently ask your question. It's difficult knowing what exactly you want." He wore the wristwatch around his wrist and showed off in front of his minions. "Diana, Rosie Downs, or Lisa Brown. Who exactly are you curious about?"
       Diana and Lisa? What connection did Lisa have with my family? And how did this man know her? I reasoned. His question reminded me of the flash drive. Hardly did I ask the question in my head, an exchange of bullets was heard from afar. The men jumped into their car and drove away while Max pulled me towards our car. "Hannah!" I fell on the fall, blood trickling down my arm. All I could hear was Max's voice and the blaring of the Police cars until my eyes closed faintly.