Chapter 3:

Louis [POV]

I arrived at my abode in Spain, a couple of hours after I left Liechtenstein. While my step brother, Damian and his wife Irene celebrated their small victory. Rightfully, as the eldest son, it was an obligation to be present at such event to be by my brother's side but I don't merry with my enemies. Most guest who were attendees are all his supporters.

I just received a message from an insider that Nora's father, Lord Elliott had attended the party. He hasn't said a word to me after his daughter's death. I wonder if he has joined forces with my brother.My private jet landed in my Mansion, here I could clear my head and make plans for my next move.

The spring sun shined bright, I had to cover my eyes with my sunshade as I stepped down. Originally this was my foster parents home before they passed away. I walked through those doors at the age of six as a weakling when my step mother had fully convinced my dad to send me away far from home. She had plot to kill me before I arrived but Sir Jake, my foster father saved me, he was an ex military solider for almost ten years and was specially assigned by my mom to take care of me. They took me in as their son. He trained me day and night both in martial arts and combat to make me stronger. His wife, Lilian had loved me dearly. I remembered the day, they died just in order to save me. Everyone had been taking away from me.

Everyone that matters to me. I took a good glance of the landscape I had acquired over the years and smiled massively at my effort.

My housekeeper Maria, staffs and Security guards arrived to greet me as I landed down from my private jet.

" Welcome sir! , Mr Oscar and Master Sebastian are waiting in the Sitting room. "

I nodded,

Walking in, I could hear loud laugh from Sebastian, he was always the one in the mood to crack jokes, no matter how serious any situation could be.

"Hey, guys! " I called out

"Hey Dude! " Sebastian yelled

I left them downstairs to freshen up in my room before joining them again.

I found them relaxed in a deep conversation when I returned back down. I sighed, as I felt a sense of ownership, now I could breath freely at my own home, being in my own comfort zone where I'm clearly well received and accepted. I poured myself the same whiskey they were drinking and sat down in my favorite leather settee.

We talked about work. I own a multi billionaire dollar communication company in Spain aside from my regular princely duties. Sebastian Cameron is an all American playboy, heir to one of the best entertainment company in America while Oscar owes the biggest oil company in Spain.

" I received the full autopsy of Nora murder case, found out she was pregnant before she died "

I handed Sebastian the autopsy report.

" is it yours?,

Oscar asked as he swiped through the report, he had taken from Sebastian.

I rolled my eyes and groaned

" We never had that moment. "

I replied I wonder what would have happened if we ever got married.

A moment of silent passed between them.

" No wonder, she was so determined to get married to you despite the fact that  she knew clearly you had no atom of love for her. " Sebastian said not surprised by the news.

I then told them about my father's crazy idea.

It left them in shock.

"It seems the old man is up to something. "

" What are you going to do now ?."

Oscar asked

First I want to find out who Nora had been dating before me

I thought to myself but I don't voice it out.

" I have no idea, now Irene is pregnant " I told them

Sebastian choked on his drink. His lips curled tightly, I noticed his expression changed that moment he seem very bothered and bittered.

I guess he has a lot of questions to ask Irene. Strangely this is the first time he was acting unlike his usually lively self . When he noticed I paid attention to his discomfort.

he composed himself.

" Seriously, I thought they just got married." Oscar asked

" Why do I feel like am been teased by you munkies?, " Sebastian said clearing his throat as he wasn't one to show emotions.

This could only mean the news really bothered him.

We knew about Irene affair with Sebastian , she had got him distracted for a while back then before she landed herself a stupid prince when I rejected her advances continuously.

She had got my step brother wrapped around her fingers and got married to him. I detest ambitious woman like her, they reminded me solely of my step mother.

I could have exposed her, right from the day, Damien introduced her to the family before she even got herself married to my brother but I love to see my step mother dealing with her own kind.

" Do you think the baby is his?." Oscar asked as Sebastian grew silent , he clutched his fist then quickly released it.

We never got to find out how long they had stayed together as lovers before she left him, I don't think now is the right time to question him cause he seem more upset already and Oscar is definitely enjoying his moments as he kept picking on his mood.

"let's wait and find out?." I smiled sipping my whiskey then laced it on my side table

"About the reason I called you here."

I drew the topic away from Irene's issue, I will deal with that later.

"I want to make plans to find a woman to act like my surrogate for two years, I will get married to her during that period while she carries and birth my son then taking care of him for a year, I will compensate her before we get divorced ."

A win-win situation.

I led out my well-constructed plan I had made up while on my jet.

My friends reaction was quite the opposite of what I expected.

Sebastian just kept blinking at me, as if I had gone crazy all of a sudden, Oscar just huffed out an uncertain sigh.

" It sounded so easy saying it.., a child is a whole new responsibility."

"Where do you plan on getting a woman to play couple with you for two years" Sebastian asked

" And why the whole insemination process, why not do it the natural way. "

he give me an inquisitive look.

He was right, but I had my own reasons, I don't want any entanglement from a woman who will only stay with me just to fulfill her own personal gain. When the deal is off, she leaves.

After a long deliberation, we came up with a quick solution.

" Whose hungry?."

*******************************

The invitation to the global ball that is been hosted in Australia arrived early the next morning. Miriam was Nora's friend who attended her bridal shower, and was once my ex lover, While reviewing the murder investigation tape, she testified to have noticed that Nora was worried and looked scared after a quarrel she had with a male waitress. Her statement was not taken into consideration because she keep blabbing about how beautiful she looks and her sadness over the fact that her expensive designer gown would not be seen anymore since the bride was died. I noticed that she left a big hint that was overlooked due to her unnecessary ranting and complaint about her appearance and meaningless things.

I wanted to find out what had taken place that night so I invited her to be my date for this event.

    I arrived at the White and gold themed gala event wearing my newly customized royal white tuxedo embroidered with gold petals alongside my date Miriam who wore a luxury mermaid cut sleeveless, v-neck petal and crystal beaded gold evening gown that matches my attire. As we walked into the red carpeted event, camera flashed pictures, photographers called out our names, we waved fairly at them.

Miriam glued her body to mine as if her life depends on it. Earlier on when I called her to make preparation as I had plan on going to this event with her, she was so delighted. Inside all the guest were gathered, most lost in deep conversation as others howled in laughter, hugs and kiss. Everyone who was invited had top position around the world. The glee in Miriam's face says it all, to be in this kind of congregation was a dream of a life time. After acknowledging few people I found important, we sat down on our reserved table before the event started.

" oh Louis, am so glad you called me, "

She said

" You can't tell how sad I have be over Nora's death." she said with fake sympathy.

Miriam had been my lover before I meet Nora, I kept her because she was the kind that don't ask much questions and act according to my rules

What irked me about her was the fact that this fake blonde was unintelligent and can't make decisions on her own.

Having no will of her own made it easier for people to deceive her very often.

I remembered sometime ago she was advised by Nora to have her breast enlargement done by an amateur doctor.

Her friends deceived her, lying that he was the best in the town. When Nora had discovered we dated way back before her, she decide to teach her clueless friend a life lesson . Miriam nearly lost her life during the surgery and was left with an uneven breast shape. They remained friends yet there was some bad blood between them.

" Miriam, you look good tonight, I'm glad you accepted my invitation. "

She was astonished by my complement since I rarely do so.

" oh! Stop Louis.... "

She laughed so hard that we got attention from the rest of the guests.

" I have seen you countless times with beauties more beautiful than I am".. She stated still wrapped in her own fantasy.

She was obviously trying to find out if I was dating again.

"Nora's death had made me see things in a different light, I wondered if she had offended anyone before she died"

I said putting my motive in action , tired for playing love bird with a woman I have no interest in.

" Of cause she has a lot of enemies " She said.

As our conversation dragged on Miriam expressed her uncertainty over Nora's death. She claimed Nora was in high spirit till a waitress guy walked in with the name tag Joshua to served them cocktail.

At first she thought Nora was admiring his muscles as she was but she eventually noticed Nora was tensed up.

She described the waitress as a tall, Caucasian male with a lot of muscle.

She revealed she saw them having an argument outside the party room. Nora was shouting at him. She never saw it as a bad sign because Nora likes downgrading anyone beneath her. When she said this, she had an express of detest that revealed she had pass through that same torment.

Glad I made the right choice bring her out on the date with me.

Her description and his name was a big hint.

Could he be the father of her child? Or someone else

Could he be her killer?

Why would she argue with her supposed killer?

According to the her description, none of the servants hired to serve that night had the same kind of physical appearance..

The Joshua guy was a bit off and different from the rest of the waiters.

The CCTV located at her room was badly damaged by her killer.

The files were badly destroyed and left no evidence that could be extracted from it, what was left was just the screaming sound she made before she died.