Blackmailed

CHAPTER 9

Alika got home feeling very exhausted after the night's events and only dreamed of sleeping that moment.

"We need to talk." The heavy voice rang through the hall which made her regret returning. From the tone of his voice, she could tell how serious he was.

She arched an eyebrow in response showing that it was not the time for any company matter. She thought that Maurice would give up but it was not the case.

"It's about the marriage proposal." He stated with a stern tone.

This wasn't how she planned her night.

She walked into the opulent living room trailing behind him with doubts lingering within her. She had a feeling she was going to regret returning.

She took a seat already feeling uncomfortable talking to her father at this time of the night. Usually, if it were about the company, Maurice wouldn't bother her at this time until the next morning- so it was a bit suspicious.

"Your sister doesn't want to marry into the Graham family anymore." It took him some mental preparation before he could speak.

Alika looked at him with disgust. 'Should I take her place then?' She thought but only sneered on the outside. "What can I do? I already declined." She knew Maurice wanted her to marry Leonardo Graham in place of Giovanna and she was not going to do it. Not in this little world!

Maintaining her calm visage, she looked deeply into Maurice's eyes- "I will not be getting married to anyone."

Maurice, whose temperament had changed from anger to fear had no words to refute her. For some reason, he thought he was being scolded by his own mother. Yes, Alika's personality was akin to that of her grandmother's, Olga Langston which was why the old woman dotted so much on her. Seeing her this way only brought back harsh memories of her. Before he could regain his senses, Alika had disappeared and was nowhere to be seen.

Fiona and Giovanna who had been listening in on the whole conversation found it intriguing how Maurice was not able to persuade Alika but were equally frustrated. Fiona couldn't bare to see her own daughter being the topic of negative discussion within the social circle. Meanwhile, Giovanna was not willing to marry a man with a disability and a disfigured face. How was she going to go out and face others with such knowledge? She'd rather be dead than make such a gruesome mistake!!

***

"Alika!!" "Alika!!" Maurice kept screaming and banging on the door. "Open up this instant, you ungrateful woman!!"

Alika who was still laying in bed jolted up in shock. What was going on?

She ran to open the door and a heavy hand landed on her face causing her to stagger backwards with an intense pain and bleeding on the left side of her lips.

Maurice glared at her with rage- "Why did you withdraw such a large amount from the company account?!... Five hundred million?! What on earth did you use it for?!" He inquired in a fit of fury.

Alika was stumped. How did he find out? This was years ago when she had turned eighteen hoping to tell him about it when she got her shares of the company and then pay him back after. She had taken that amount of money to pay for her mother's brain surgery four years ago after the hospital had informed her about the drastic decline in her health.

She was about explaining but was cut short by Fiona's outburst- "Do you have any shame? Stealing from your own company?!"

It was at this time that Alika understood that this was all Fiona's doing. She had intentionally done this. Maurice had not scolded Alika in a while. But what was she going to benefit from this?

"Your mother's treatment will not be sponsored by me after what you've done!" Maurice declared leaving Alika on the verge of tears. "You can't do this... She's your first wife." Maurice only sneered in response.

"You have pushed me to make this decision." He stated and was about walking away when something crossed his mind.

"You can avoid going to jail if you pay me back one billion." This statement left Alika in a daze. It was a rule in the company that stealing any amount must be paid in double and some time spent in jail. How was she going to get such an amount? Even Noor and Keeya couldn't help this time and even if she sold her painting, she would still need five hundred million more.

"Marry Leonardo Graham and I'll put this behind me... Your mother's medical expenses will still be sponsored by me." He said.

"No...why did you take back your word?" She stared at Giovanna with the hope of changing her mind. Her pitiful voice cracked continuously but it remained futile. Giovanna looked away not willing to change her mind. Alika who had no other choice, agreed to his terms with tears in her swollen eyes. Her mother's life was most important.

***

Dante Graham received the news and was even more pleased knowing that his granddaughter was Alika. This information reached the ears of Leonardo who was lethargic about it. He never cared about such things before much less now. He was still engrossed in his paper work when he got a call from his grandfather.

"Come over when you're done with your work." The old man said not giving him the chance to turn down the invite. Leonardo looked at his phone with arched brows. "What are you up to?" He never trusted his grandfather in such situations because whenever he summoned him this way, it was always to do something "ridiculous" and the old man would always be sure to monitor him.

Leonardo instantly became a bit restless unsure of what was going through the old man's head. It was surely something he would never like.