Third Person's POV
Outside Evans school, 4PM
Elena tightened her arms around a frightened Evan and her eyes desperately moved to and fro as if looking for a spot she could hide away from all this madness.
The crowd kept on chanting
"Say yes! Say yes!"
The light on their phone cameras kept flashing on her and Evan. Elena blinked her eyes a few times and scanned the crowd. She loosened one arm from Evan and winced as she touched the back of her neck.
She took a step forward and gasped. Tears began to stream down her eyes. Then without warning, she swayed and collapsed to the ground.
"Mama", Evan screamed as he fell alongside his mother.
"Mama", he screamed with tears streaming down his face, "wake up mama."
Evan pulled his bruised hands away from his mother's neck. He held Elena's face with his small hands.
"Mama."
"..."
"Mamaaaa", Evan screamed and fell on Elena's body crying in loud broken sobs.
The crowd gathered around Elena's unconscious body. Someone shouted for an ambulance. Another pointed out how pale she looked. Hands lingered, afraid to touch her.
Someone in the crowd tried to pull Evan away from Elena's body but he clung to her desperately.
*
In the Blackthorne mansion, 4:30PM
Alexander sat across the old man in the study. His jaw resting against his palm. He had a stoic expression on his face.
"Alexander", the old man said carefully, "you should understand that as the only son of Amara Blackwood, you must inherit her whole legacy. Do you have any idea of the chaos that will unfold if this seal falls under the wrong hands?", the old man asked worriedly.
Alexander looked at the seal that was carved into an ancient old ring. It had the alphabet P engraved in elegant strokes.
"You are asking me", Alexander said slowly, "to take control of a criminal organization?"
"No", the old man shook his head slowly, "I am asking you Alexander to become the prince of the underworld, find your mother and protect the woman you love."
The old man paused as Alexander looked at him angrily.
"Don't use her as leverage to make me dirty my hands."
"Your mother was hesitant to take the seal Alexander. Don't make the same mistake."
Alexander's fingers curled into a fist, his knuckles turning white.
Suddenly, the door burst open and Sebastian walked in hurriedly with an ipad.
"Master, forgive me for the interruption but you must see this."
Sebastian gestured for Alexander to take the phone. Alexander gave him a warning glance before taking it. His expression shifted from anger to sadness then to worry.
"Is she okay?", Alexander asked, his voice unsteady. His forehead glistened with sweat.
"One of our men has reported that she was taken to Oakwood Teaching Hospital by the school board."
Alexander nodded.
"Have you ever wondered how Piper got into your mansion even though you have security tighter than that of the president?"
Alexander looked at the old man.
"She accused me of setting her and her son up", Alexander said bitterly.
"She's not just book smart", the old man murmured. "Impressive."
Alexander shot the old man with an irritated look. The old man coughed and continued, "Two of the five foes survived. One who is targeting you by using the love of your life is Piper Redding."
"Old man, what are you trying to say?"Alexander cut in impatiently.
"What if the other foe remaining is sleeping under your roof, eating your food and smiling with you everyday. You might be harboring an assassin without your knowledge."
Alexander clenched his jaw and looked away.
"What if she hates me after she sees what I've become?"
"The five foes organization has a mistress, I hired a top hacker to uncover her identity and the moment he tried to breach into the security wall, he was compromised. With the power of the underworld, you can protect the woman you love and her son. If she is dead, you won't even have the luxury of being hated by her."
Alexander inhaled then exhaled sharply.
"If wearing the mantle of the prince of the underworld will protect Elena and Evan", he said, reaching for the ring, " then I'll wear it with pride."
Alexander took the ring, drew a deep breath and wore it.
"To the world", the old man said as he rose, "you are Alexander Blackwood."
"But to the underworld, you are its prince", he bowed deeply, "The Puppet Master."