Chapter 5 – Above All Power

Adrian lifted Daniella into his arms bridal style and gently placed her on the couch. He called the head of the household to bring the first aid kit, and when she brought it, he carefully cleaned Daniella’s bruises and used small wound plasters to cover the cuts.

He went to the kitchen himself and made her a warm chocolate drink.

Just then, he received a call from the police department informing him that Ms. Sabrina was in their custody and they required his presence. He told the officer who called that he was currently busy and would be available after three days.

When the officer informed him that they could not legally hold her beyond forty-eight hours, Adrian fumed.

“If you know what is good for you, you dare not release that woman until I say otherwise. Don’t grant her bail either. If you do anything contrary to what I just instructed, I will do much more than take your badge.”

The officer apologized and hung up.

When Daniella heard this, her face lit up, but she quickly pretended to care.

“Please, Adrian, it’s okay. You can let her go. I am fine, at least you’re here,” she said, faking concern.

“No,” Adrian replied coldly. “Now that she has signed the divorce papers, I will make sure to ruin her life. Nobody will fund her research. I will have her license revoked, and I will take that pride and confidence she got from receiving the Helix Vanguard Prize.”

“Who knows how many people she slept with to get that award,” Daniella said bitterly.

Adrian had always been envious of Sabrina ever since she received that award. It proved that Sabrina was the pillar of Kane Biomedical. He often claimed she had become too self-centered and no longer respected him, but everyone who knew them understood that Sabrina was a virtuous woman. Adrian had always tried to subtly undermine her efforts.

He had employed Daniella despite HR warnings that she was not competent and did not possess the right skills and knowledge to be part of such a delicate industry.

“I don’t blame Sabrina for attacking me,” Daniella said suddenly. “If the staff had intervened on time, things wouldn’t have escalated.”

Adrian called the head of the household again. When she arrived, his voice was stern.

“Where were you and everybody else in this house when your madam was attacked?”

The elderly woman responded calmly, “I was supervising the scrubbing of the courtyard as she had instructed, but I quickly came to separate them when I heard her scream.”

“You old liar,” Daniella snapped. “You stood there unconcerned. Even when I asked you to beat her up, nobody obliged.”

The elderly woman answered respectfully, “With all due respect, sir, I am not lying. I did what I could, but I could not lay my hand on Mrs. Kane.” She quickly corrected herself. “Ms. Sabrina.”

“You see, Adrian? Their loyalty is with her. I won’t stay in this house if she remains here, and I want all of them gone,” Daniella said angrily.

Adrian looked at the woman. “First thing tomorrow, you leave. Tell the others too. Their services are no longer wanted in this house.”

And just like that, Adrian fired all his domestic workers because of Daniella—people who had worked for him for more than eight years.

As the woman turned to leave, Daniella scoffed. “She won’t even beg to stay. Look at her arrogance.”

The woman turned back.

“Ms. Daniella, I won’t beg for something I didn’t do. If you want the staff to respect and obey you, you must reciprocate that. Ms. Sabrina was not just the woman of this house. She treated all of us like family.”

Both Daniella and Adrian raised their brows.

“Enough, Martha. You’re dismissed,” Adrian said firmly.

After she left, Adrian picked up his phone and called the agency to request new staff. Daniella was pleased because she had never been able to control or earn the respect of the old workers.

Moments later, Marla arrived and requested to see Adrian privately.

“What do you want to say that you can’t say in her presence? Start talking, Marla. I don’t have all day,” Adrian said.

Marla exhaled.

“Mr. Kane, please reconsider freeing Dr. Vale. She has been through a lot already.”

Daniella’s temper flared.

“Let her go? Are you blind? Can’t you see what she did to me?”

This was the same person who had asked Adrian to let her go only minutes earlier.

Marla did not look at Daniella.

“I have known and worked for Dr. Vale and you for a very long time,” she continued. “She is not a violent person. Please forgive her.”

“So, I am violent, right? I am the bad one? Just because Adrian chose me, you have all suddenly ganged up against me,” Daniella snapped.

“Relax, Danni,” Adrian tried to calm her.

“No, Adrian. Who is she to come here and tell you what to do? She is our employee. When we sneeze, she catches a cold. She should know her place.”

Adrian turned back to Marla.

“Marla, I hear you, but it isn’t going to happen. Sabrina shouldn’t have attacked her. I just fired all my domestic workers because of this incident. My decision stands.”

“Sir, you know Dr. Vale even better than I do. With all she has endured—”

She glanced at Daniella’s face. Daniella shifted uncomfortably.

“She would not react without provocation.”

Daniella’s eyes widened. “Are you saying I provoked her?”

“I am saying ever since you came, it has been one drama after another,” Marla replied calmly.

“Did you hear her, Adrian? What did I do to deserve this?” Daniella asked dramatically.

Adrian sat quietly, as if digesting what Marla had said.

“Daniella, you have done enough. The three of us sitting here know how you got here. Whatever issue Ms. Sabrina had with Mr. Adrian was between them, but you escalated things,” Marla said firmly.

“Marla, do not think you are not replaceable,” Adrian replied coldly.

“Tell her!” Daniella added loudly.

“Watch your tone and how you speak in front of us,” Adrian said.

“Replaceable? Yes, I can be replaced. But you cannot replace loyalty,” Marla responded steadily. “Mr. Adrian Kane, I quit. My resignation letter will be on your desk by morning.”

She thought about all the years she had worked under him, the sacrifices, the secrets she would take to her grave, and all she received in return was that she was replaceable.

Adrian was shocked. He had not intended to lose Marla, but Daniella’s happiness had begun to outweigh everything else.

“Go on, leave. Who needs you? I will find someone who can do the job better than you. Go and feed on your loyalty,” Daniella mocked.

As Marla turned to leave, Adrian called out, “Marla, wait.”

Daniella looked at him in disbelief.

He paused for a moment.

“Are you sure about this? Your position won’t be available when you come begging.”

“I would rather starve and die than work for you and—” she paused, looking Daniella up and down. “The world doesn’t revolve around you, sir.”

With that, she walked out.

“Adrian, what was that?” Daniella asked.

“What was what?” he replied.

“Why are you making her feel special? Don’t tell me you slept with her,” Daniella said angrily.

“Why would you say such a thing? Marla is valuable. I was only confirming whether she was serious about quitting.”

“So, she is more valuable than me?” Daniella demanded.

“No,” he said quickly, then softened his tone. “You know you mean the world to me. Even when you chose Franklin over me, I still loved you. I always will.”

“I’m sorry, Adrian. That was a long time ago. I didn’t know what I wanted, and at the time I feared you couldn’t take care of me. You know I have standards.”

“I love you, Adrian,” she said softly.

“You don’t have to worry about standards now. I have enough to last us a lifetime,” he replied.

Daniella held his face in her palms and kissed him passionately. Adrian carried her upstairs, and Daniella did what she knew best.

⸻

Marla drove to the precinct where Sabrina was being held. She tried to post bail, but they denied it. Adrian had ensured that. However, they allowed her to see Sabrina.

When Sabrina was brought out and Marla saw her, her heart broke.

“I’m sorry, Doc. They won’t let me bail you, and the company won’t help,” Marla said sadly.

“That’s okay. Daniella and Adrian want to see me broken. He won’t be happy that you’re here,” Sabrina replied.

“I quit working for them,” Marla said.

“You did what? Marla, why?” Sabrina asked.

“With all I endured, seen, and done for him, he told me I was replaceable. So I quit.”

“So what will you do now?” Sabrina asked.

“Find a way to get you out of here. Then I’ll follow you wherever you go,” Marla said.

“Marla, are you sure? Considering my current situation and my finances, I can’t pay you anything close to what Adrian was paying you.”

“It’s not about the money, Dr. Vale. I believe in your vision, and I have seen what you have done. I would like to be part of what you will accomplish.”

Sabrina smiled for the first time in a while.

“We will accomplish it together.”

Just as Sabrina was about to be escorted back, an elegant female lawyer walked in with a police officer behind her. She introduced herself and stated that she was working on behalf of Mr. Victor Laurent.

Both Marla and Sabrina were surprised. The officer escorting Sabrina stopped.

“What? I didn’t ask for his help,” Sabrina protested.

Marla quickly gave her a look.

“Please don’t mind my boss. We appreciate any help he offers.”

The lawyer continued, “Dr. Sabrina Vale, your bail conditions have been fully met by Mr. Victor Laurent. All charges are dropped. You are free to go home.”

The officer nodded, and the cuffs were removed from her wrists.

“How is that possible? Everyone I asked said they couldn’t help. Did Adrian agree to this?” Marla asked.

“No. Adrian is not involved. Let’s just say some power and authority are above others,” the lawyer replied. “Mr. Laurent sends his regards.”

She turned and left.

Sabrina stood speechless. When they stepped outside, Marla’s eyes widened with joy.

“Did you hear that, Dr. Vale?” she said as she hugged her. “In your face, Adrian.”

Sabrina’s belongings were returned to her, and Marla drove her away.