Uneasy

In Italy, Stella's residence.... "Mom, why are you so worried? Iris is fine. She is with Xavier. They went out for dinner. He said he will drop her back home," Adam assured Catherine. When Adam returned home after dropping Tasha off at her residence, he found Catherine pacing the length of the foyer with worry. Her complexion looked dull, and she looked stressed. She relaxed when she heard Xavier's name. "It's good that Iris is with Xavier. She will be safe with him. She will be safer there than here, or anywhere," Catherine murmured, feeling relieved. Her weird comment puzzled him. "What do you mean by she will not be safe here? Did you have a nightmare? Are you not feeling well again? Why didn't you go back with dad and allow her family doctor to check you once?" he inquired worriedly. Catherine took a deep, shuddering breath. "Adam, will you think about me as crazy if I tell you that your dad is acting suspicious these days?" she inquired. Adam staggered back in shock. In

Why he is back?

Desmond and Benjamin stood outside the house where they met their 'Master'. They both looked scared. "I never wanted to meet you again. I wanted to forget the past like a lost cloud," Desmond muttered. Benjamin huffed sarcastically. "You think he will let us? He owns us, remember? Quite literally. We know the drill. Give him what he wants, and we will be good. Last time it was your daughter-in-law and my brother. This time it's those mines. Xavier and Iris are the collaterals," he muttered. "I thought he might not return. I was hoping that we were free. But years of silence later, he came again," Desmond muttered. "Unless he is dead, he will not go anywhere. He is like a shadow. He knows everything. So let's not waste time in empty hopes. Give him what he wants, and he will leave us. If not, we know him better than anyone else," Benjamin reminded Desmond. Desmond clenched his fists around his wheelchair arms. "He is asking for your daughter's happiness. Are you going

Past in the present

The next morning, Xavier dropped her off at school before he left for work. He gave Sara's number to Iris so that the two could chat and reunite. What he didn't know was that Iris would meet Natasha Jones. "His Tasha," Iris greeted Tasha, who was standing in front of a well-dressed woman. Tasha's eyebrows were drawn together, and she looked like she was trying to hold herself back. So when she heard Iris, she relaxed a little. But not completely. "Iris, let's go," Tasha muttered before turning away from that woman. But the woman had other plans. "Tasha, will you not introduce me to your friend?" the woman inquired. Tasha's shoulders became rigid. "Why should I? You are not my family. So don't get ideas which you shouldn't," Tasha snapped without turning back to look at the woman. "So rude, I wonder how your uncle would feel when he hears about this," the woman wondered casually. But the underlying threat made Tasha finally turn back and face the woman once again. Iris is co

Debt paid in blood

"James, what is it? Didn't I tell you not to disturb me?" Benjamin snapped with irritation. Ever since his master returned into his life, Benjamin has been in a foul mood. He is deceiving his wife again, and it didn't sit well with him. At the same time, he couldn't stop either. Because he owed a blood debt to his master, which should be paid in full. James gritted his teeth in anger, but didn't dare to speak rashly with Benjamin. Because Iris is his trump card, Benjamin is willing to pave the way to reach his trump card. So James endured it silently. "Benjamin, Adil went to meet Iris. But she refused to reconcile. So he is planning a candlelight dinner tonight. You don't mind, do you?" James inquired. Benjamin huffed with irritation. "James, I am telling you one last time. Do whatever it takes. Make sure Iris agrees to this marriage. You don't have to call me for everything. I am only concerned about the results. Am I clear?" he replied with a hint of irritation. James hesi

He is no good

After Jensen Roth eavesdrops on Benjamin's conversation, he pretends to be ignorant. "Mr. Stark, that's all I had to say. I hope you will do what you are supposed to, and we don't have to repeat such an unpleasant conversation," Jensen murmured calmly. Benjamin nodded his head absent-mindedly. "Yes, I will invite Desmond for a meeting. Let's hope he agrees to a peaceful settlement. I will call you once it's done. Great day," with that said, Benjamin packed his stuff before walking out of the private room of the restaurant. After making sure that Benjamin was gone, Jensen immediately dialed Xavier, who answered the call after the third ring. "Jensen, how was your meeting with Benjamin?" Xavier inquired, skipping the pleasantries. "Mr. Knight, something in Mr. Stark's behavior sounded off. He wanted to invite your grandfather for a personal meeting and settle this issue peacefully," Jensen explained. Xavier looked thoughtful. "He is reluctant to file a legal case against th

No way

"Your husband, he is on his way to Chelsington now. By the time he sees your message, everything will be finished. He cannot do anything," Adil said smugly. Iris is shocked. Xavier didn't tell her about his plan. He is practically obsessed with her, and she doesn't believe that he would leave without a word. He would have told her, at least called her, if he couldn't tell that in person. "So what if he is not in Italy? The moment he hears about this, that would be the moment he would plan your execution. Don't underestimate him, Adil. Did you forget who put your hand in that cast? You just touched me, and he broke your bones. You are choking me and planning something vile. You expect to survive after this? You are dreaming, Adil. You are delusional beyond expectation," Iris pointed out. Her tone is strained because Adil is choking her. When he heard her words, he let go of her neck on instinct. He looked at his left hand, which was still in a cast. Natasha and Bosco noticed h