LOGINShare
CHAPTER THREE
Last Updated:
2024-06-28 02:04:11Jason stepped into a room and he locked the door behind. He turned to Claire who was tied to a chair with a sellotape pressed to her mouth
Claire stared at Mr Arrington and she watched him grab a bottle of whiskey, decanting it into a glass cup.
He drank the content in one gulp and exhaled.
" Claire Walker. " Jason muttered, leaning against the table.
" You know I never could understand what my daughter saw in you. But you just might be useful after all. " Jason said.
He walked towards her and he peeled off the sellotape from her mouth.
" Please… I didn't do anything to your daughter. I swear. " Claire cried.
" Oh, I know. My daughter committed suicide, Claire. Of course you have nothing to do with it. " Jason said.
" I have a proposition for you. As you know, my daughter was supposed to get married in two days. "
" Yes." Claire whispered. " I was supposed to be her bridesmaid. " She added, gazing down as tears slipped her cheek.
" What do you think about being the bride instead? " Jason Arrington questioned and Claire raised her gaze to him.
" What?... What do you mean? " Claire asked.
" I know you have no parents and you are obviously poor. What if I gave you a million dollars, huh? "
" Why… Why would you want to give me a million dollars? " Claire questioned.
" Because you will take Josie's place. You will become the bride and your name, Claire Walker will cease to exist. " Jason said.
" You are asking me to pretend to be your daughter? "
" Except you won't really have to pretend. You two share the same looks. It shouldn't be hard. Actually, with the amount I am offering, it's a fair deal. " Jason said and Claire couldn't believe her ears.
" Your daughter just committed suicide and you want me to replace her? " Claire asked, wanting to be sure she heard him clearly.
" I am pretty sure that's what I said. " Jason said and Claire scoffed.
" What kind of a man are you? " She asked before she could stop herself
" I am a business man. And in the business world. No matter what happens, business has to go on. " He said, smiling and Claire shook her head.
" This… this is madness and there is no way I am indulging in it. "
" Josie was nice to me. She took me as a friend and I won't do this to her. No. " Claire said adamantly.
Jason nibbled on his lower lip, gazing down.
" You see, Josie wasn't just nice. She was a good little girl who does what Daddy tells her to do. But I guess that's what makes you two different so I would have to do things the hard way. " He said and Claire felt her heartbeat thud against her chest.
She swallowed nothing, watching him open a drawer and her breath seized for a second when she saw him bring out a gun.
" What… What are you doing? " Claire asked and he pointed the gun at her.
" When I made my proposition. I failed to add one thing. This isn't a request, It's a demand and you will comply whether you like it or not. " Jason said.
" You think I am afraid of you? Or that gun? Go ahead, pull the trigger. Hell, you would be doing me a favor. " Claire blurted and she could feel her heart beating loud against her chest when he cocked the gun and moved close to her.
Claire shut her eyes when he pressed the gun to her head and her entire body shook with fear.
" I wonder if to call you brave or stupid. " She heard him say and Claire slowly opened her eyes to see he had lowered the gun and she exhaled softly.
" But you see, I had my guys do a little background check on you and guess what they found? "
" You are not only an orphan but you have a sibling who is 12. I kinda figured you would be like this so I told them to pay him a little visit " Jason said and Claire felt her heartbeat hammer against her chest.
" You are lying! " She said.
" Oh, but I am not. " Jason uttered and the door burst open as two guys walked in with her younger brother, Cole who had his mouth sellotaped.
" Oh, my god. Cole! " Claire yelled, struggling in her seat and Cole was pushed to his knees as tears streamed down his eyes.
" Let him go. Let him go! Please… please. I beg you. Let him go. " Claire cried, tears brimming her eyes.
" It's your choice to make, sweetheart. You will take Josie's place and your brother gets to live. "
" I will do it. I will do anything. Please just let him go. Please! " Claire pleaded.
" I am sorry I didn't hear you. " Jason said, pointing the gun in his hand to Cole whose eyes widened.
" I said I will do it. Anything, I will do it. Just let him go. I beg you! " Claire said, struggling in her chair and Jason smacked his lips, dropping the gun.
" Now, that wasn't so hard was it? " He asked.
" Please… " Claire sobbed.
" Take him away. " Jason said and the two guys grabbed him.
" Don't hurt him. Please. I am begging you. I will do anything you want. Don't hurt him. " Claire shouts, watching them take her brother away.
" Now. Are you ready to comply? " Jason asked and Claire sniffed, nodding her head.
" Your brother will remain here until the day of the wedding. " Jason said.
" What? No. I already agree to do anything you want. "
" You see, that's not how business works. I make sure to have a leverage against my opponent so they won't turn back on their words. " Jason said.
" So your brother will remain here until you have married into Gold's family. " Jason said.
" The Gold? " Claire asked, her brows knitted.
" Yes. Ryan Gold. That's the name of the man you will be getting married to. " Jason said.
" What's going to happen to Josie's body? " Claire asked.
" I do the questioning and the telling. You just do the listening. "
" No. If I am going to do this. I need to know exactly what I am getting myself into. " Claire said.
" Fine. Josie's body will be cremated. "
" What?! "
" Yes. That is the only way. We can't bury her. It will draw attention and there will be questioning. " Jason explained and Claire was mute as she swallowed.
" Do you have any friends? Relatives? Boyfriend? Ex boyfriends? " Jason asked.
" No. " Claire murmured.
" Good. An orphan with no one at all but a brother. This will be easy. "
" I am going to hold on to your phone. You will be given Josie's phone. Your life as Claire Walker has ceased to exist from this moment forward. " Jason said.
" Why is this so important to you? Why can't you just tell the Gold's what happened and grant Josie a proper burial. Why are you trying to cover things up? " Claire questioned.
" Because their marriage was something discussed by my family and their family for each person's benefit. "
" An arranged marriage? " Claire asked.
" Yes. " Jason affirmed.
" So you killed her then? " Claire asked and Jason narrowed his brows.
" What the hell are you talking about? "
" You killed your own daughter for your own selfish gain. She probably committed suicide because she was done living with a controlling maniac like you. " Claire blurted and it took seconds before he spoke.
" You have got a sharp mouth. " Jason said.
" Did you go to college? " He asked.
" Yes. Studied business administration. "
" Great. Cause you will be taking up Josie's position as the CEO of AJ Enterprise. "
" And finally, your money will be sent to you as soon as the wedding is done. " Jason said.
" I don't need your money! " Claire said.
" Well, your loss. Do we have a deal? "
" No. I am only going to do this on one condition. Once I get married. My brother is leaving this mansion. "
" No. Your brother will remain with us here, even after the wedding. We can't afford any of his friends seeing him. "
" So you are just going to keep him locked up? "
" No. He will be sent to a boarding school. Out of town. I will fund the bills. "
" I don't need your charity. " Claire gritted.
" Oh, but you do. You don't want his life being put to a stop, do you? " Jason asked.
" Fine. But I need your word that you will not hurt even a strand of hair on his head. "
" Well, as long as you comply and do not tell a soul of our little deal. He will be perfectly fine. "
" So… Do we have a deal, Miss Claire. Oh, no it's Josie now, isn't it? " Jason asked and Claire inhaled sharply.
" As soon as you ask your guys to untie me " Claire said and Jason smiled.
Related chapters
Twisted Fate CHAPTER FOUR
Claire stared into the mirror, watching the maids make her up.It's finally the day of her wedding–Josie's wedding. Since the past two days, Claire's life has changed drastically. All her life, she has always wished to live in a mansion. Wear nice, expensive clothes, Bath in a tub, walk in nice shoes to nice places. Live a luxurious life. And somehow in the blink of an eye. She has all of that. And hell, she was now about to get married to one of the most successful and young business men in Washington.But none of the changes in her life made Claire happy. Not the clothes, not even the title as the CEO of a huge company. Cause this wasn't how she wished for these things to happen. She wanted to achieve these things by herself and make herself and her younger brother happy. She never wanted to live a lie and that was exactly what she was doing now. The thought of it all alone brought tears to Claire's eyes and she blinked them back.A knock came on the door and the door opened, rev
Last Updated : 2024-06-28Twisted Fate Behind The Facade
Panic was written all over Claire’s face as she kept staring at him, at a loss of words. Knowing the kind of person Mason was, Claire knew that she was in big trouble. Quickly, Claire grabbed her gown and walked away. Unfortunately, Mason went after Claire. “Hey, stop, I need to talk to you,” Mason whispered in Claire’s ears when he was close enough to her.“There’s nothing to talk about so stop following me,” Claire replied, unwillingly to give Mason an audience and without stopping.“I'm sorry, pardon my bad manners, It's just that you seemed quite familiar to me. I'm Mason, a close friend of Ryan and a family friend of the Golds,” said Mason, extending his hand to Claire for a handshake.Claire looked down at Mason’s hands, and then back at him, trying her best to hide her hate towards him. Eventually, she decided it would be suspicious to not take the handshake on a first meeting with him so she took his handshake and shook him firmly.“I'm Josie, it's nice to meet you,” Claire
Last Updated : 2024-07-22Twisted Fate A Dance of Deception
Ryan looked at Bethany, surprised by her suggestion. Ryan had known Bethany for a while and had never seen her dance so it was shocking when she suggested they do so.Unsure of Bethsny’s dancing skills and unwillingness to engage in any activity that would make him look less cool, Ryan decided to ask for clarity on what he heard her ask before he gave her a reply.“Did you just ask for a dance?” Ryan asked.“Yes, I did. Is there anything wrong with that?” Bethany replied. Ryan paused, he had heard correctly so he had to give her a reply now. Ryan could turn her down if he wanted but he felt it would be good if the groom and bride were dancing with different people so he decided to accept her request.“You sure you're up to it? I'm a really good dancer?” said Ryan taking Bethany’s hand and standing up.“Oh. Show me then,” Bethany replied.“My pleasure, try to keep up,” said Ryan.They went to the dancefloor and Claire couldn't believe what she was seeing. The same girl she had danced
Last Updated : 2024-07-23Twisted Fate A Game of Chance
Claire couldn't believe her ears. These guys were unbelievable, they were willing to lose such an amount on just an ordinary dance.It was bizarre even for people of such caliber so she was taken aback by Ryan’s response. If this was how they spent carelessly, Claire began to wonder how exactly rich people stayed rich.“No, that wouldn't get enough people interested. I say we go bigger, let’s do five hundred thousand instead,” Ryan replied.Mason smiled mischievously again and Claire wondered why. To him, It seemed he was going to win.However, Claire was getting tired and wasn't sure how long she would last if she continued dancing at such a high level.“I accept your challenge. However, I'm bored of this song. Ask the DJ to change it, and also set up everything before we dance. You're trending so we should get the minimum required number of viewers within seconds,” Mason said.“On it, said Ryan,” walking away to where the DJ was and explaining everything to him. The DJ was surprised
Last Updated : 2024-07-24Twisted Fate The Deceiver's Game
Claire felt nervous sitting beside Ryan in the backseat. She didn't know the kind of person he was. Even though their wedding was arranged, she thought he was still going to demand sex.It wouldn't be out of place if he demanded it anyway. After all, it was their wedding night, and it was clear she had no choice but to accept.The driver was driving very fast, and their bodies brushed each other several times, making her shiver. It was like he would grab her any moment from now, and the stench of beer on him wasn't helping matters.Earlier, Mason and she had won the dance, and Ryan hadn't been pleased about it. After Ryan lost, he whispered in Claire’s ear that a woman is supposed to help her husband and not bring him down.Claire had been terrified and unable to utter a word when he began to laugh suddenly. Still, she couldn't tell whether he was offended or not.Many rumors had been spread about Ryan, and the entire city knew he didn't value women. Today, she was beginning a new lif
Last Updated : 2024-07-27Twisted Fate Beyond the Masquerade
Claire woke up the next morning in a mansion. Although she had experienced wealth at its highest level in the last few days, once she opened my eyes that morning and saw the mansion in broad daylight, It was like she had gotten an immediate superior awareness.The mansion epitomized beauty, showing the inhabitants lived the best possible life. The bed alone was half the size of her former apartment, and the guest room given to her was bigger than the entirety of it.The walls were decorated with fine furniture, which probably cost thousands. Claire stood up to observe the rest of the room, and she wondered why the room needed a wardrobe when it was built with the idea of accommodating guests.Most people moving in would probably have their luggage with them, which was supposed to be more than enough.If this was a room meant for the guests that came to this house, Claire found herself wondering how large the size of the family members would be.This was a bit much for just about anyon
Last Updated : 2024-07-29Twisted Fate A Soul Unseen
Claire followed because there was nothing more to do, and she had no choice. They both went In and left the billionaire to his bodyguards.“Claire, I was impressed with your performance; I didn't know you were such a talented dancer. It was very interesting to watch your battle online. Don't tell anyone, but I was rooting for you, “ she said, saying the last part in whispers.Claire smiled, embarrassed after that moment. She had been very happy and satisfied when they won because of how it made Bethany feel.It turns out that betting higher than the boys was more dangerous than it seemed. Unlike them, who were guys and didn't care about anything, Bethany was not used to losing, and she was very angry, having to give away that huge amount of money to him for free.Claire had kept a straight face throughout the dance and afterward, but she had been laughing inside as the sight had been very funny.After the dance, Bethany had eyed her and left, showing her disgust. If only they had agre
Last Updated : 2024-07-31Twisted Fate Forced Alliances
Claire blinked and punched her arm to make sure she was alive. It was like she had heard the world was coming to an end. Two million dollars was a lot of money and one she wasn't ready to handle.Although she had been lusting for power, she still felt that she was in trouble. With the amount she was given, she knew he would be asking her to do other things soon.“What are you up to?” Claire asked, getting ahold of herself.“That's no way to talk to your Dad or appreciate a gift. I wasn't sure that you would see through the wedding till the end. Even though you had rejected the money I initially offered, as a businessman, I can't let you make such an unreasonable choice,” Jason said.Claire bit her lip, she wanted to reject the money but all of a sudden, her mouth didn't belong to her. It was as though she had lost the ability to speak anymore.“To be clear, this doesn't make a difference to me. You're still an inconsiderable person who has no human feelings,” said Claire.“Whatever, I
Last Updated : 2024-08-02
Latest chapter
Twisted Fate The Final Revelation
The room was still, save for the heavy breaths of everyone present.The sound of breathing — sharp and erratic — seemed to reverberate against the walls, bouncing off the tense atmosphere that had settled like a thick fog.Ryan’s chest heaved with every breath, his fists still clenched at his sides.He was standing over Mason, his body rigid, his eyes wild with rage, but there was something else behind the anger.Fear.And the fear was growing, creeping beneath the surface like an insidious tide."Who’s behind this?" Ryan’s voice was a low growl, but there was a tremor to it now.A hesitation that hadn’t been there before. The calm, unshakable leader that he had always been was slipping, revealing the cracks in the facade. "You’re not going to get away with this, Mason. Not this time."But Mason only laughed. The sound was sharp, cruel, and mocking.A laugh that sliced through the tension, amplifying the feeling of dread in the room."You think you’ve got it all figured out?" Mason s
Twisted Fate The Betrayal
Claire’s heart dropped.Someone closer?The words echoed in her mind like a drumbeat, each thud growing louder, more insistent.She had been through so much. The violence, the betrayals, the bloodshed.But hearing this — the sharp, cold implication of it — was different. It felt like a punch to the gut, a strike to the very core of her being.Ryan’s hand, still clutching Mason’s collar, tightened with a force that seemed to rattle the very air around them.His face was a mask of rage, but Claire could see it—the briefest flicker in his eyes.A shadow.Fear.He wasn’t just angry. He was terrified.It wasn’t the same fury that had burned through him when Mason had first walked into the room.This was something deeper, something that went beyond simple hatred.Mason was watching them both with a smile that seemed to grow with each passing second, basking in the tension he had created.The air in the room grew thick, suffocating, like smoke from a fire that no one could put out.No one sp
Twisted Fate Unraveling the Past
The battle was far from over.Claire’s hand was still trembling as she lowered the gun, the weight of it foreign and heavy in her grip.Her heart hammered wildly against her ribs, each beat a painful reminder that she was still alive.The attacker she had shot lay sprawled at her feet, blood pooling beneath him, staining the pristine marble floor a deep, angry red.The sharp, metallic scent of gunpowder clung to the air, thick and suffocating.But Claire couldn’t focus on any of it.Not yet.Because something was wrong.Something was missing.---Ryan moved like a force of nature through the chaos, swift and brutal. His men—loyal, lethal—cleared the room with ruthless precision, every movement efficient, every shot deadly.The leader who had taunted them earlier now lay crumpled near the fireplace, a bullet hole in his chest.And yet... the gnawing sensation in Claire’s gut only grew.This wasn’t just a random attack.It wasn’t even a revenge strike.It was a message.Her eyes darted
Twisted Fate The Silent War Begins
Claire woke up the next morning, the remnants of a restless night clinging to her.The storm clouds still hung heavy in the sky, and there was no sign of the sun. It seemed fitting, considering the tension she felt, coiling tighter around her chest with every passing hour.She glanced over at Ryan, still sleeping soundly beside her.It was a rare sight.The lines on his face were softer now, his usual fierce demeanor replaced by a quiet vulnerability. For a moment, Claire just watched him, letting herself breathe a little easier. But the weight of their situation pressed down on her, pulling her thoughts back to reality. They didn’t have the luxury of peace for long.Her phone buzzed beside her on the nightstand.Claire’s heart stopped.It was a message from an unknown number.She reached for the phone, her fingers trembling as she unlocked the screen.The message was short, but the words hit her like a punch in the gut.> "You won’t see it coming. Be careful."Claire’s stomach flippe
Twisted Fate Secrets That Refused to Stay Buried
The following morning felt colder than usual, even though the sun was out.Light streamed through the windows, painting long golden stripes across the floor, but it didn’t chase away the chill.Claire woke with a start, reaching instinctively for the warmth beside her.But Ryan’s side of the bed was empty.The sheets were cold, as if he’d been gone for hours.Panic gripped her chest like a vice.Had something happened overnight?Had he gone after those men alone?Throwing off the covers, she scrambled into a hoodie and leggings, her pulse racing painfully.She flew down the grand staircase, barefoot, heart hammering against her ribs.The estate was eerily silent.As if the walls themselves were holding their breath.---In the kitchen, Claire found Mrs. Dalca sitting at the long table, sipping coffee from a delicate porcelain cup.The older woman barely glanced up from the newspaper spread in front of her."Where’s Ryan?" Claire gasped, breathless from running.Without missing a beat,
Twisted Fate The Calm Before the next Storm
Claire sat by the window that night, wrapped in a blanket Ryan had placed around her shoulders.The rain had softened to a drizzle, tapping softly against the glass.But inside her chest, a full storm still raged.Ryan sat across from her, watching her in silence, a glass of whiskey untouched in his hand.Neither of them spoke for a long time.Words felt too small for what they had been through.Finally, Claire broke the silence."Who were they?" she asked, her voice still hoarse from screaming earlier.Ryan leaned back, jaw tight."Enemies," he said simply.Claire let out a shaky breath."But why me? Why not come straight for you?"Ryan’s eyes darkened."Because they know how to hurt me."The confession sat between them, heavy and raw.Claire tightened the blanket around herself.For so long, she had thought she was just a pawn—an outsider trapped in a game too big for her.Now, it was terrifying to realize she mattered more than she thought.That she was the leverage.---Ryan stood
Twisted Fate Storm Brewing
Morning came too quickly.The world outside the window was still gray and heavy with rain, but the house stirred with a new kind of tension—a waiting, stretching unease that pulled at every corner.Claire awoke in a cold bed.Ryan was gone.For one heart-stopping moment, fear clutched her chest.Was it all a dream?Had he abandoned her?Her fingers clutched at the sheets, her breath quick and shallow.Then she saw it—the note folded neatly on the nightstand.Stay inside. Don’t open the door for anyone but me. — RClaire snatched the note, reading it twice.The neat, slashing handwriting steadied her trembling fingers slightly, but only just.Something was wrong.Terribly wrong.She could feel it humming under her skin like electricity before a lightning strike.The house—usually so loud, so full of life—felt muted, as if it were holding its breath.---Downstairs, the estate was alive with hurried footsteps and hushed whispers.Guards moved like shadows through the halls, their faces
Twisted Fate The Aftermath of Fire
The halls of the Gold estate were eerily silent, every shadow seeming heavier, every creak of the old wood floors louder than usual.Only the low, steady hum of rain against the windows kept them company, a soft percussion that filled the empty spaces where words couldn’t.Claire sat curled in an armchair in the guest room, a thick blanket wrapped around her like armor.Her wet clothes had been stripped away by kind, nameless hands, and a fresh set of soft cotton pajamas clung to her skin.A cup of tea steamed on the nightstand nearby, untouched, forgotten.She stared blankly at the wall, not really seeing it.Her body was there.Her mind...Her mind was still back in the woods.Still feeling the slick weight of the gun in her shaking hand.Still seeing the twisted snarl on Mason’s face.Still hearing the deafening crack of the gunshot.She should have felt victorious.Strong.Triumphant.Instead, she just felt—Tired.So, so tired.Her bones ached with it.Her soul sagged beneath it.
Twisted Fate Blood in the Rain
Ryan stood over Mason, the gun steady in his hand, smoke still curling from the barrel.Claire lay in the mud at his feet, coughing, gasping for breath.The sight of her—broken, bruised, terrified—unleashed something wild and primal inside him."Step away from her," Ryan said, his voice low and deadly.Mason wiped blood from his mouth, a twisted smile spreading across his face."Well, well," he rasped."The prince himself comes to rescue his little whore."Ryan’s finger twitched on the trigger.It would be so easy.One more shot.End it.But Ryan held back.Barely."You don't deserve to say her name," Ryan said, his voice vibrating with rage.Mason laughed, a wet, ugly sound."Come on, Ryan. We both know you don't really care about her," Mason sneered."She's just another pawn. Another puppet for your twisted games."Ryan stepped forward, gun raised."You don't know a damn thing," he said, eyes blazing.Mason's smile faded.For the first time, there was fear in his eyes.Good.---C
