FLASH MARRIAGE; CHARMED BY THE RUTHLESS BILLIONAIRE CEO - Chapter 166

Chapter 166: Used And Abused

“Uncle Van…” Amelia’s eyes widened in alarm. “Hold on a second.” She nonverbally communicated to Blaze with her eyes that they needed to speak outside while rising up to her feet.

“Commissioner Clement, please excuse us briefly. We will be right back.” Blaze said also standing up.

“Take your time, Mr Anderson. I’ll be waiting for you right here when you’re done.” The grey-haired bulky man seated opposite them replied giving the couple a reassuring smile.

“Thank you.” Blaze pulled his chair backwards and escorted his wife out of the office. He led her into the empty waiting room while she resumed her conversation over the phone.

“Talk to me, Uncle Van,” Amelia said in a slightly panicked voice. “Are you all right? What’s the matter and why are sounding this way?”

“I’ve done something terrible, Amelia. I have messed up big time. Your father will have my head for this. He will never forgive me and I don’t think you or your husband will, either.”

Amelia felt her pounding heart do a fatal somersault at the thought of Van betraying her. A cold shiver ran down her veins, causing her body to stiffen.

“What did you do, Uncle Van?” She asked in a trembling voice, her hand shaking.

“Babe, let me have the phone,” Blaze said, collecting the phone from Amelia’s trembling hand. He placed the call on loudspeaker and said in a harsh tone.

“Where are you, Mr Van?”

“Mr Anderson, please you have to forgive me. I am very sorry. I didn’t mean to…”

“Mr Van, take a deep breath and tell me where you are,” Blaze said calmly as opposed to the storm already brewing inside of him at the thought of Van betraying their trust.

“I am in my new hotel room.”

“Are you alone?”

“Yes.”

“Is this line secured?”

“I’m not very sure but I recently purchased this phone from the hotel gift shop.”

“Then I don’t think we should talk on the phone. Send me your address and I’ll send my men to pick you up.”

“But you would…”

“I don’t care what you’ve done,” Blaze said cutting the traumatized man off. “Whatever happens, we could always find a way around it. Just remain calm and do exactly what my men tell you. everything will be fine.” Blaze ended the call before looking up to his troubled wife.

“What could he have done wrong?” Amelia asked.

“I don’t think you should trouble yourself with that, dear. So far, everything has been working according to plan. Your Nana is out of the picture and your father is on his way back to the mansion. Whatever Van may have done can be addressed later. Let’s just focus on the business at hand while my people bring him over to us. Is almost noon and soon it will be time for your family’s Thanksgiving. We have to be ready.”

Amelia released a sigh. “Okay. I just hope whatever he may have done can be redeemable.”

“It will be.” Blaze patted her on the shoulder, reassuringly. “Let’s go back to the commissioner and round up our meeting.”

–

–

Two hours later, at a highly secured guest house…

Amelia listened in horror and mortification as her godfather, narrated his encounter with Regina, starting from when he woke up to find her naked in his bed and every other thing that transpired.

Van was looking completely disoriented both in his appearance and expression, like a man who had just lost everything he valued in life. He trembled with fear as he told the angry couple how Regina threatened to use the sex video to destroy him if he didn’t comply.

While Van was busy sharing his nightmare, Blaze wasted no time in taking precautionary action. He made several calls and sent some secret agents to the hotel to get information on everything that transpired in Van’s hotel room.

“What exactly did you tell her?” Amelia asked, her tone and expression oozing with venom.

“I told her exactly what she wanted to hear. I couldn’t bring myself to betray you any further than I had already done. Please, I need you to forgive me.” Van pleaded, going down on his knees before his irked goddaughter.

“I would never in a million years think of taking that vile woman to bed if they hadn’t spiked my drink. I have no memory of the things I did except what I saw on the video and it looks pretty bad. I was used and abused beyond my imagination. I can’t even begin to imagine what my wife or children would think about me if they ever laid eyes on that video. I am completely ruined. Your father might even put a bullet in my head if he sees it. I don’t know who else to turn to except you.”

“It’s okay uncle.” Amelia stood up from her seat, tears of anguish and hatred clouding her vision as she made her way to Van. She forced him up to his feet and made him sit down. “I won’t let that happen. I won’t let your wife or children see that despicable video. My husband and I would try and get it back from them.”

“Just to satisfy my curiosity, what exactly did you tell Regina?” Blaze asked in a deadpan voice, his narrowed and blazing gaze making Van’s body quiver.

“I told her that Amelia accused the whole Shawls family, of ganging up and trying to get rid of her. I told her that Amelia showed her father proof of her liquidated trust fund asset that Gwen sold behind her back and made away with the money. I told her that the senator countered Amelia’s claims saying she fabricated those numbers just to destroy her sister.”

“I told her that Amelia swore to get back every cent taken from her even if it meant destroying whatever she shared with the family in the past. And when she asked specifically if you…” Van pointed to Blaze with his trembling forefinger. “… were present at the meeting, I told her that we didn’t see you because you couldn’t stand the senator. I also told her that Amelia accused the senator of trying to sabotage your company. I told her the meeting was inconclusive because Amelia stood up and walked out on her father.”

“Are you sure that is what you told her?” Blaze asked, a little bit of doubt lacing his tone.

“I swear with everything I hold dear. That is what I told her and to my surprise, she believed me. It was as if I was confirming all that she already knew.”

“Then you have nothing to worry about for now. As my wife has already assured you, I will ensure that video never sees the light of the day. Nevertheless, you would have to reconcile your conscience with your friend and your family. That I cannot do for you.”

Engr Van nodded his head, while Amelia remained seated beside him consoling him with kind words.

“I’m so sorry I got you into this, uncle. If you hadn’t come to me, none of these would have happened. But if it’s any consolation, you should know that you are not the only man Regina has abused or blackmailed into doing her bidding. My father happens to be one of her victims too.”

“What!” Van turned sharply to look at his goddaughter, his jaw-dropping. “How?”

Amelia looked up to her husband and he shook his head.

“I’m afraid I can’t tell you anything right now uncle for safety reasons. I’ve already gotten you into enough mess as it stands. But you will learn the truth in future and you will know the kind of woman the witch is.”

“I will advise you to return to the state,” Blaze suggested after a brief moment of silence.

“You want me to go back home?” Engr Van was alarmed. “But I have an ongoing project here. I can’t just abandon it.”

“Don’t worry about that,” Blaze said standing up in readiness to leave. “I’ll have some people sort it out for you while you take the credit. Your presence here has been compromised and you have become a liability. It will be in your best interest to leave today. Go back home and keep a low profile until everything is sorted out. You will thank me later.”

“What about my friend?” Van lamented turning to face Amelia. “Won’t he think I abandoned him at the most crucial moment?”

“No, he won’t because I’ll be there to explain things to him,” Amelia said reassuringly.

“Okay, I will just have to return to the hotel and get my stuff,” Van said forcing himself up.

“It’s already taken care of,” Blaze said causally. “All you have to do is just go with the young man waiting for you outside the door.”

“What young man?” Van asked shifting his gaze to the door.

The door to the main guest room opened and a young man with dirty blonde hair and a bewitching grin stepped into the room holding Van’s traveling luggage.

“Mr Van, this is Tim, one of my specialists. He’ll ensure you get home safely. Leave your phone behind and do not try to communicate with my wife or the senator. If we need you, we’ll contact you.” Blaze said sternly.

“Okay!”

Blaze stole one glance at his wife and said. “I’ll let you two say your goodbye. Meet me in the car, darling when you’re done.”

“Okay.” Amelia smiled in appreciation.

“Mr Anderson…” Engr Van called as Blaze was about to step out of the room.

“Yes.” Blaze tilted his head backwards, already wearing his aviator sunglasses.

“I’m trusting my goddaughter to you. Please take care of her and do not break her heart.”

Blaze’s gaze shifted to Amelia, who was staring back at him, blushing.

“I’ll do my best.” He smiled and left.

–

–

Senator Gregory returned home to see his younger brother’s car packed outside the mansion by the water fountain. He briskly made his way into the house, where he was received by the butler.

“Sir, welcome back.” Sam greeted politely.

“Thank you, Sam.” The senator said taking off his coat and handing it over to Sam.

“Is my brother in the sitting room waiting for me?” The senator asked casually, wondering why Matt didn’t come to join him at the airport like he promised.

“No sir.”

“Where is he, at the dining room?”

“I’m afraid not sir?” Sam fidgeted a little, wondering why Matt hadn’t come out after spending more than an hour in the madam’s bedroom.

“Then where is he? I saw his car parked outside.” The senator tried to hold back his anger, especially after everything he had learned about Matt’s betrayal.

“I’ll quickly go get him, Sir,” Sam said and attempted to hurry away but the senator stopped him.

“I didn’t ask you to go get him. I simply asked where he is.”

“A…a…a…at Madam’s bedroom?”

“What! My wife’s bedroom! What is he doing there?” The senator observed the way Sam was trembling and decided to go investigate himself.