THIRD PERSON POV
Victor Langley's eyes narrowed as Diana left, he picks up his phone heading to his study when he dials an unknown number...
"I need you to keep a closer watch on Sharon and make sure you report everything to me" ... He ended the call, after a few seconds.
He sat back in his chair, steepling his fingers together as he pondered the conversation he had just had. The person on the other end of the line had assured him that they would keep an eye on Sharon, but Victor couldn't shake the feeling that it wasn't enough.
Meanwhile, Ace was driving back to his place after dropping Sharon off. He glanced at his phone and saw that his father had called him several times. He didn't bother calling him back, instead he dialed a different number, and the call ID revealed Zion...
The phone rang for a while before it was picked up. "Who is this?" a deep voice asked, cautious and guarded.
Ace didn't respond right away, and there was a moment of silence. The voice on the other end of the line grew irritated. "Hello? Who's this?"
Ace's voice was low and measured when he finally spoke up. "It's Ace, Zion"
There was a pause, and then the voice on the other end of the line spoke up again. "What do you want?"
Ace hesitated, collecting his thoughts before speaking. "Can we meet up?"
Zion's voice on the other end of the line was skeptical. "What for?"
Ace's grip on the steering wheel tightened. "It's important."
There was another pause, and then the voice spoke up again. "If you have nothing better to say, I'll end the call now."
Ace's voice was firm and brewed with anger. "It's about Sharon."
The line went silent, and Ace wondered if he had lost the connection. But then the voice spoke up again, its tone different now. "Where are we meeting?"
Ace's eyes narrowed as he thought about the question. He had expected resistance, but not this.
"Anywhere is fine with me," Ace said after a brief silence.
"Come over to my house," Zion suggested, his voice low and smooth.
Ace raised an eyebrow but agreed. Zion hung up the call, and a few seconds later, Ace's phone buzzed with a text message containing Zion's address.
Ace drove to Zion's house, his mind racing with possibilities. When he arrived, he stepped out of the car and walked up to the door, Zion opened it, his expression neutral.
"Come in," he said, stepping aside.
Ace entered the house, his eyes scanning the modern decor. "Good work," he said, impressed.
Zion closed the door behind him, his countenance unfriendly. "What brings you here, Ace?" he asked, his eyes locked on Ace's face.
Ace turned to him, his expression serious. "I hear you're trying to set a deal for my stepmom," he said, his voice direct.
Zion's smile was teasing. "None of your business," he said, his tone dismissive.
Ace's eyes narrowed. "It becomes my business when it involves the people I care about," he said, his voice firm.
Zion raised an eyebrow, intrigued by Ace's response. "Go on," he said, his voice neutral.
"Do you remember the accident Sharon was involved in that put her in a coma?" Ace asked, his eyes locked on Zion's.
Zion's expression remained unreadable, and he didn't respond.
"And the kidnapping?" Ace continued, his voice steady. "I recently realized they were both arranged by Diana, with the help of my father's wife."
Zion's face broke into a laugh, but it was short-lived. His expression turned cold, and he said, "Don't spit out nonsense."
Ace ignored Zion's warning and pressed on. "I want you to join business with me instead of her. Let's work together."
Zion's eyes narrowed, and he looked at Ace with skepticism. "How do I believe this is not a trick? Your family seems to be one big happy family."
Ace's smile was tinged with anger. "I'm not doing this for myself. Sharon is in danger." He paused, his jaw clenched. "And my mom too."
Zion's expression changed, and he looked at Ace with a hint of curiosity. "And your mom?" he asked.
Ace's eyes locked onto Zion's, his gaze cold. "Are you in or not?"
Zion's response was measured. "I have to find out if you're lying. I need to know if I can trust you. I won't just go into something I'm not sure of."
Ace walked towards the door, his footsteps echoing in the silence. As he reached the door, he turned back to Zion, a hint of a smile on his face. "It's not like I'm fond of you, but be careful around Camilla Langley. My father's wife isn't who she seems to be."
Zion's expression remained neutral, but a flicker of interest danced in his eyes. He gestured for Ace to leave, his hand sweeping towards the door.
Ace's gaze lingered on Zion for a moment before he turned to leave. "I don't know what connection you have with her, but be careful," he said, his voice low and serious.
As he walked out of the apartment, he made his way back to the house he shared with Diana, his heart heavy with unease.
When he walked in, Diana greeted him with a mixture of concern and curiosity. "Ace, where have you been? You've been away all weekend. I've been trying to get to you, but you're not picking up."
Ace didn't respond, his expression cold and distant. Diana tried to talk to him, but he ignored her, walking towards his room to pack some clothes, he went downstairs with a little bag the same way he came when he agreed to live with her then started heading for the door...
Diana's eyes widened in confusion as she watched him. "Where are you going?" she asked, but Ace didn't reply.
As he was about to leave, he turned to her, his voice low and menacing. "You should have never done those things."
With that, he turned and walked out the door, leaving Diana looking pale and worried. Ace got into his car and drove towards Sharon's apartment, his mind racing with thoughts of what lay ahead...