12 His game, his rules

The entire nation was in a state of frenzy.

A scandal had broken out against the Finance Minister, David Peters. Ivy's secret video had taken the country by a storm. David was immediately taken into custody for questioning and the video was sent for authentication. David refused to accept any of the charges against him. He claimed the video to be fabricated and it was all a scheme of his opponents. Nobody knew that he was very nervous and was on the verge of a mental breakdown, though he looked calm and composed on the outside.

David secretly informed his subordinates to release the virus immediately. "Make sure that the virus is being inhaled by a lot of people. So release it in crowded places."

He had managed to send a hint to his attorney when they were alone in the interrogating room. Although he didn't personally talk on the phone, he hinted the attorney, by giving him a small chit which he had hid in his shoes, to send a text to a number once he left the room.

"I am going to kill the person responsible for my state," David muttered, once the attorney was out of the room. He knew something bad was going to happen when his men informed him that the spy had escaped. He was uncertain if there was any proof regarding his meeting at the library. So he had created a backup plan, in case a situation of that sort rose.

David's men couldn't comprehend the reason for his rash decision. They were in a hotel room, involved in a deep discussion.

"I can't understand, why does he want us to release the virus immediately?" The man with the spectacles spoke.

"Neither can I. But we can only do as he says." The man with the gruff voice replied. "Get your men ready. We will release the first set the day after tomorrow. If I remember correctly, there is a football match scheduled at the King's stadium that day. But be careful as to not to inhale the virus yourself." The man warned while the others nodded.

After an hour of careful planning, the men left the hotel room, each having different thoughts.

........

It was past midnight. Ian and Joshua had long left Noah's ward. Noah was deep in thought. He was slightly surprised when he heard that the people who he didn't even know, wanted him dead. He knew his father had a failed marriage before. But he never made a thorough check as he had never encountered any problems from it before. His step-mother, Beth Sommers, had remained silent for almost thirty years.

"So what made her become this way?" He wondered. He obtained his answers from the contents of the envelope.

Noah's father, Samuel Carter, had met the woman when he had just started his career. His father, Jonathan Carter, was a business tycoon. He had already established an empire for his son to run. Yet Samuel wanted to gain experience in the business field first before taking over his father's empire. So, he started a small investment company. He hid his identity as the son of Jonathan Carter. It was then he found Beth, who assumed him to be just the owner of a small investment company. She knew nothing about his influential background. It was Beth who actively pursued him until he accepted her and got married against his father's wish.

It was after a year of his marriage, he found out about her involvement with Charles Miller, a real estate businessman whose worth was more than his small company. He immediately divorced her after she revealed her true intentions of wanting to marry Charles. But she hid the truth from Samuel about her being pregnant with his child.

Samuel then started to work hard and in a span of two years, his company was listed in the top three investment companies. He was recognized for his skills and achievements, leading him to successfully take over his father's empire. Unable to stand his son's loneliness, Jonathan had suggested an arranged marriage with his friend's daughter, Hailey Bennett.

In the first meeting itself, Samuel had taken a liking towards Hailey and they got married at the end of the year. He was having a successful work life and a happy marriage, while Beth was facing a disaster. Her husband's company was on a downfall and she had learned that her ex-husband was actually a multi-billionaire. She regretted her mistake of cheating on him. She thought of going back to him, but it was too late. Samuel had already had a son and a daughter and it was impossible for her to get close to any of the Carter.

So, Beth devised a plan, for which she waited almost twenty-seven years to execute. She targeted the sole male heir of the Carter Business Empire to get back into the family. Once Noah was out of the picture, she could introduce her son, Eddie Miller, who was also Samuel's son, making him the heir to the empire.

"Looks like there will be some interesting scenarios in the upcoming days." Noah sighed. He knew Caroline was unaware of him knowing about her secrets. So, it was certain that she would come looking for him and act all modest. He also knew that he had to make a clean break up from her if he had to woo Aria. He didn't want Aria to misunderstand him. It was time to permanently remove Caroline from his side. He thought of was ways to torture his step-brother's family for even thinking of planning against him. He and his friends had carefully prepared a trap for them. They had played against him without him even knowing about it. It was now his game and his rules; a game which he was bound to win

Noah had another important work to do. He was to start wooing Aria, commencing from the next day. Thinking about Aria, brought a smile on his face. He was still amazed at why he was drawn to her when he had met her only a few days back.

He found her very alluring, no second thoughts on that. Her frankness pleased him. She was like a breath of fresh air among the sea of disgusting women who threw themselves at him without any self-respect. She neither cared about his money nor his status. He realized that as soon as she called him foolish. When there were people around him trying to kiss his feet, she was bold enough to scold him. He found it oddly amusing. But he was still doubtful of her. He was unsure whether she had any ulterior motives by being indifferent to him.

"But there is nothing to lose in trying, right?" He thought. If he found out in the future that Aria had other intentions, then he would definitely not spare her. She would face death that would be a hundred times torturous. But if she had no such intentions, then she would be treated as a treasure. He would make her his Queen, pamper her, protect her and cherish her for life.

Noah sighed. "Wait for me Aria. I am definitely going to make you mine."