Charles' POV
I turned towards the sharp voice that screamed from across the garden in my compound that was used. My eyes widened in shock and frustration, it's been over a decade since I laid my eyes on HER! She doesn't look too good though, as she did before.
"Mom?" Elena's sweet voice shook in surprise at the woman who had a spiteful look on her face.
Sandra, my ex-wife who had dumped myself and Elene rolled her eyes at my daughter's reaction. Anger surged in my veins as everything began to make sense to me.
"Don't call me that you bastard child! I'm no mother of yours." Sandra growled like a bear in rage.
Elena sniffled slightly and to my surprise Ryan used his body to block her out and wrapped his arms around her.
I know I'm usually hard on her but I will not stand by and watch the wench get at my child.
"What the hell are you doing here, Sandra?" I walked forward giving her a cold stare.
She took a step back, knowing how dangerous I am. I may look like a calm middle-aged man to most but she of all people knows how dark I can get.
"She is my child, not yours! She doesn't belong to you, you're impotent I have proof."
I furrowed my eyebrows in confusion and halted at what she screamed.
The garden was filled with murmurs and I noticed a few people had pulled up their phones to record this embarrassing scene.
"You don't want to go down that road Ma'am." A firm, baritone voice belonging to Ryan resounded behind me.
"You're nothing but a killer! I'm trying to save my baby girl from you monsters."
I chuckled darkly at her and waved orders to my guards. They silently went into action.
"You can't silence me, Charles. I'm your downfall you know, I know so much."
I stepped closer to her and she reeked of alcohol badly. There's so much to tell that I choose not to. She broke me and I've not fallen in love again. I've been unable to allow anyone in again after then.
"You left us when we needed you the most but you're now back to cause a rift. Stay missing as you always have."
"Never, I won't accept it."
Just as I was about to open my mouth, my right hand man, Jarvis leaned in. "Boss, what you asked for is right here."
He then handed over a brown envelope to me. Sandra's eyes followed it and she had a look of confusion on her face.
"Do you remember that this isn't the first time you've told me that Elena isn't mine?"
Sandra looked at me with furrowed brows and stayed silent.
"I ran three DNA tests in order to be sure that what you were saying wasn't true." I tore the top of the envelope and pulled the papers out.
"What did you do? I never gave you the right to run a test on her!" Sandra said with annoyance in her voice
"You must be insane to think I was going to just believe your bullshit. I found out that Elena is actually mine, my only child and heir. All three tests confirmed it."
"No! Nooooo! She wasn't meant to be yours. She was meant to be Dorian's."
"Dorian? Like my late best friend?"
"Yes, and he wasn't late, still isn't. We were having an affair at the time, you always thought it was with your brother, Williams." She then gave a sinister smile.
My body shook in anger, I had completely removed my brother from my life, thinking he had betrayed me. Dorian had played with my head and made me push him away.
"No need to wail so hard. Your brother is somewhere I guess. Dorian had the guts to toss me aside and steal all my money. I won't let you ruin her life, give my child back to me."
"You must be high on whatever, get her out of here before I lose it."
My guards rushed in and took a screaming Sandra in their arms, pulling her out.
"Can the oath taking begin?" I ordered and the Priest nodded, continuing the ceremony.
Elena had tears drilling down her face, to my surprise Ryan wiped it off with a look of concern on his face.
I smiled to myself as the priest continued and they both said their vows. After that I can't count the number of people who came to see if they can get me to invest or partner with them.
I smartly maneuvered them and went to congratulate the newlyweds. My daughter had a forced smile on her face while Ryan had his signature cold look.
"Congratulations daughter, and Ryan. I believe this union will bring so much good to us all. I'll need to excuse myself now though, have fun." I winked at them both and walked away towards the main house.
Jarvis was right in tow and opened the door to the main house. Soon we got to my office and I opened the secret passage that led to the dungeons. Elena has never ventured here before, I've made sure of that.
"Welcome, godfather." Several guards in the hidden hallway to the dungeons chorused.
I nodded in the dimly lit area and soon arrived at the dungeons where Sandra was kept.
"What were you thinking about playing that expensive joke earlier?" I growled at Sandra who was visibly afraid.
"Y….you don't scare me, Charles." She pushed herself against the wall.
"Look at what you've made of yourself, Sandra. I loved you so much but you betrayed me and got used and tossed away."
She lowered her gaze in shame and then a look of defiance appeared and she gave me a look.
"You have no right to talk to me, Charles. You had your mistresses, Dorian showed me."
I laughed menacingly and stepped closer to her cell bars. "You were gullible enough to believe him. Did you even bother asking me? He played you well."
"No, he can't lie to me."
"Why are you really here, Sandra?"
"I'm not saying a thing."
"Fine, Jarvis make her see reason."
Jarvis smiled and unlocked the bars, then pushed them open. He pulled out a knife
from behind him and sprang forward towards her.
"The Viper gave me a contract to foil the wedding!"