CHAPTER FIVE

CHAPTER FIVE

MIRANDA'S POV

The man in the black mask towered over me, his eyes glinting with an unknown emotion. My heart raced as I struggled against the ropes that bound me to the chair.

"Please calm down, please," he said, his voice low and menacing. "I just have to do what I did because I really want you to know the truth about who you really are."

My mind raced as I tried to make sense of his words. Who was I? And why did this man think he had the right to kidnap me?

"And must you kidnap me before doing that?" I demanded, my voice filled with rage and anger.

The man's eyes narrowed as he leaned in closer. "I am very sorry, Miss Miranda James Owens," he said, his words dripping with sarcasm. "But it had to be done."

My blood ran cold as he spoke my name. How did he know who I was?

"By the way, I am not Miss Miranda James Owens," I said, my voice shaking with fear. "It's really obvious you are mistaking me for someone."

The man chuckled, a cold, humorless sound. "Never," he said, his eyes boring into mine. "It's just that you haven't known who you are yet. But I will make sure I reveal the secret which your grandparents have kept hidden from you for years."

My heart raced as I waited for him to speak. What secret could be so important that he felt the need to kidnap me? And what did it have to do with my grandparents?

The man leaned back, a smirk playing at the corners of his mouth. "Are you ready to learn the truth?" he asked, his voice dripping with suspense.

I can feel my heart pounding in my chest as the man across from me finally speaks. "Okay, you are Miranda James Owens," he says, his voice low and ominous. My name has always been a mystery to me, but little did I know, it held the key to my past.

Suddenly, my breath catches in my throat as he drops the bombshell. "Your parents were murdered in cold blood," he says, and I feel my world start to spin out of control. "And because of that, your grandparents kept you hidden. The danger lurked around every corner, waiting to strike."

My palms begin to sweat as he pauses, taking a deep breath. What is he going to say next? I can't bear the suspense.

"Sorry for prolonging the story," he continues, his eyes locked onto mine. "But in all, you are the Sole Consortium Heir."

My mind reels. "The Sole Consortium Heir?"

"Stop right there," I interrupted, my heart pounding in my chest. "Are you saying that my parents were murdered? And that I'm in danger?" I could feel my hands shaking as I spoke.

He nodded gravely. "Yes, Miranda. Your grandparents kept you hidden all these years to protect you. But now, as the Sole Consortium Heir, you are needed to take over. It's time for you to step up and lead."

I gasped, my mind reeling. This was all too much to take in. "But... but how do I know I can trust you?" I demanded, eyeing him warily.

He held up his hands in a gesture of surrender. "I understand your skepticism. But you have to believe me, Miranda. Your life is in danger, and the fate of the Consortium hangs in the balance. Will you step up and take your rightful place as leader?"

I hesitated, my mind racing. Could I really do this? Could I lead the Consortium and keep myself safe from those who wanted me dead? I took a deep breath and made my decision.

"I'll do it," I said, my voice firm. "I'll take over as the Consortium. But you have to promise me one thing."

He looked at me expectantly. "Anything, Miranda. What do you need?"

"Promise me that you'll protect me," I said, my eyes locked on his. "No matter what."

He nodded solemnly. "I promise, Miranda. I'll protect you with my life." And with those words, I knew that my life would never be the same again.

My mind was reeling, unable to comprehend the bombshell that had just been dropped on me. How could I, a mere pauper, have wealthy grandparents? And why was I left to fend for myself, at the mercy of strangers? I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself.

"Please, what does a consortium mean?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

The man looked at me, his eyes cold and calculating. "A consortium," he said slowly, "has the highest shares in many joined companies."

I shook my head, still unable to grasp the concept. "But what does that mean?" I demanded, my voice rising.

The man's lips twisted into a sneer. "I think your grandparents are in a good position to explain that to you," he said, his tone mocking. "I'm not a business person either."

I felt a surge of anger and frustration. "Please, I still don't believe you," I said, my voice trembling. "What if you're trying to lure me into something?"

The man's expression darkened, and I realized with a sinking feeling that I might have just made a terrible mistake.

"Remember, you didn't bring yourself here," he reminded me with a sly grin. "Are you ready to meet your grandparents?"

My heart raced as I tried to remember how I even got here. Was this all part of his twisted plan?

"I don't believe a single word from your tale," I said, my voice shaking with fear.

He smirked, "You'll confirm it soon enough."

As we stepped outside, my eyes widened at the sight of a black G wagon and two Ferrari sports cars. Two men in suits opened the door for me, and I hesitated before getting in. What was going on?

The car started moving, and the Ferraris joined the convoy. My mind raced with questions as we drove deeper into the unknown. What was waiting for me at the end of this journey?