To the dungeon

Mr Ken didn't take his eyes off Ryan for a second as Mrs Clyde battled for words.

“Um, I'll take my leave for now, the atmosphere isn't business friendly at the moment,” he said and turned to walk away.

“No.. don't leave!” Mrs Clyde called while trying to go after him.

He paid no attention and walked out immediately.

“You girls, go after him! And make sure we secure the deal!!” She yelled at her girls who were befuddled at the moment. They both nodded and ran out at once.

Ryker shut his eyes bitterly and then he threw a baleful glance at Samantha and asked, “How dare you show your face?”.

Samantha tried to speak but Ryan grabbed hold of her hands and hushed her.

“Enough of your nuisance, Ryan!! How dare you step out?!! You and this filthy bitch!” Mrs Clyde yelled, walking towards Samantha and Ryan.

“Oh, really? I am a legal son of this family and I deserve to be recognized,” Ryan defended.

Ryker scoffed and walked towards him.

“Just hear yourself,” he chuckled, taking a firm stand in front of him. “ You're not welcome here, don't you get it?” He asked impolitely.

Their eyes locked fiercely and Mrs Clyde tried to pull Ryker away.

“The moment you choose drugs over this family, the moment you choose to humiliate and betray this family, the moment you killed father, you stopped being a Clyde!!” Ryker bellowed in his face.

“I didn't kill father, I didn't betray the family, how long am I going to explain my innocence?!” Ryan cried, his blue eyes filled with emotions as he felt subdued by his brother's words.

“You don't have to explain. I've told you countlessly, the only way to redeem yourself is to return to rehab and come back clean. Return to rehab, Ryan, return and clean up the mess you've made with your life; And when you return, everyone would be willing to welcome you back, and you can reclaim your rightful position in this family.

Aren't you tired of being treated like an outcast? Hmm?” Mrs Clyde asked, touching his chin.

His eyes became filled with tears as he felt his mother's palm caressing his face.

“Go back, redeem yourself,” she coarsed.

He paused and took a glance at Samantha who was watching him with tears streaming down her cheek. He walked away immediately and Samantha's knees became feeble, he was her only defender against these people, if he leaves, she's dead, she thought and broke into tears immediately.

Mrs Clyde’s lips broke into a smugly smile as she turned to Ryker who was watching Ryan walk up the stairs.

“Now you!” She called, grabbing hold of Samantha's hair. “Haven't you done enough?!” She yelled and landed a blistering slap on her cheek.

Samantha knelt on the floor and began to weep.

“Were you sent to destroy me, hmm? How dare you show your face without being called up! Do you know what you've caused this family?!” She bawled at the weeping Samantha.

“I'm sorry, mother, I never knew!!” Samantha pleaded with tears.

“If I lose this multi million deal, you're dead!!” She threatened.

“Enough, mother. Send her to the dungeon,” Ryker ordered from where he stood, his grey eyes watching the whole scene in dissatisfaction.

“Great, that'll be the nicest place for you at the moment,” Mrs Clyde nodded.

Just then, Claris walked in, looking dejected.

“Where is your sister?” Her mother asked.

“She went off with Mr Ken, he chose her over me!!” She cried, springing her feet on the floor angrily.

“It doesn't matter, dear, anything to secure the deal,” she said with a smirk and Claris pouted her lips and turned to Samantha.

“You!” She called and walked towards her.

“You ruined my chances of being with Mr Ken!” She yelled and kicked Samantha with her silver heels.

Samantha began to cry again and just then, two bodyguards walked in.

“Take her away, to the dungeon,” Ryker ordered.

“Mother, please!!” She cried as she was pulled up from the floor and the guards dragged her away.

“I still want Mr Ken!! I want him, ahhh..ahhh!!” Claris cried and ran up the stairs angrily.

“Son, I believe Mr Ken suspects a thing about Samantha,” Mrs Clyde said to Ryker as soon as Claris was out.

“No, he doesn't. He believes she's a maid,” Ryker affirmed.

“We can't trust anybody, rumors might fly tomorrow. The public's eyes are already on us, and we don't wanna give them another chance of doubt, it's ruining our reputation. Look how hard it was to find a bride,” she said thoughtfully as she walked closer to him.

“So what are you suggesting?” Ryker asked curiously.

“Tomorrow, you'll step out with your wife. Yes, we need to give them the impression that we're treating your new bride right, in contrast to whatever rumors might fly,” she said.

“But..there are no rumors yet,” he scoffed.

“You don't wait to get caught before you run,” she gestured with her index finger moving back and forth at his face.

“I can't stand her,” he said coldly.

“It's all for the cam,” she said with a smirk as she turned with her back facing him.

“When is the doctor coming for the test?” He asked after her.

“We haven't heard from doctor Steve yet, but he's promised to send in the doctor soon,” she replied.

“We're running out of time, mother,” he said worriedly.

“I know,” she said and turned to look at him. “But we're getting there, starting from your brother leaving the mansion,” she smiled sinisterly and walked away.

**

He stood beside the large mirror, looking at the white substance wrapped in a small plastic bag. He swallowed hard, and the veins on his neck became visible.

He placed the substance in his pocket and sighed heavily.

“It's time to return, I'm sorry Samantha,” he said to himself as he grabbed his black jacket on the bed and walked out of the room.

Walking through the passageway, his heart became heavy at the thought of leaving Samantha behind. He knew what awaited her here in the mansion, but she had proved adamant to receive his help. She chose this life and he had decided to choose his.

He needed to return to rehab so as to redeem himself before his family for a crime he committed years ago. He just hopes she'll be alive to witness his glorious return, he thought and let out a sigh.

He stopped for a moment, hearing voices from the other side of the passageway.

“She's at the dungeon already, without food and water. I hope she doesn't die of starvation, it's quite unfair how the family is treating such a poor innocent soul,” he heard the voice of a maid.

His heart began to thump and his eyes bulged. He couldn't believe they had thrown her into the dungeon and his blood grew hot immediately.

He barged into the maids who were gossiping in low tones and they quickly threw a greeting and walked past him.

Without thinking twice, he headed backwards and zoomed off to his mother's chambers.

“Ok doc, we'll be expecting you soon,” Mrs Clyde ended her call as soon as she saw Ryan walking into the chamber.

“I thought you're gone!” She barked.

“So desperate to see me leave, uh? So you can murder her like you did to Vanessa?” He blurted out with a scoff.

“How dare you accuse me of Vanessa's murder!!” Mrs Clyde yelled and stood up from her seat.

She gave him a heavy slap and he licked his lips and chuckled.

“You got nothing on me, mother. I want you to free Samantha from the dungeon right away,” he warned confidently.

“And if I don't?” She asked with a smirk.

“You'll hear from the media soon,” he threatened and turned, his back facing her.

“Really?” She smirked and placed her arms akimbo.

“And so you should know, I changed my mind. I'm staying,” he said, turning to look at her.

“No..you can't stay here,” she countered, walking to meet him.

“Why? Afraid of something?” He smirked.

“No,. your presence causes humiliation, more reasons your father never included you in his affairs,” she smirked. “You're nothing but a mistake,” she cursed.

He swallowed hard and wiped his lips.

“I've heard that countlessly. Free Samantha and escape my wrath,” he warned and stormed out immediately.

She remained silent, watching him walk away.

“You still won't go away? We shall see,” she said with a smirk and turned back to the couch.