The Dike Mansion
Mr. Watson walked in while Lady Lily Paced around the lobby.
"Oh, you're here! Welcome in. Your friend and I have been so worried."
"Where is Eddie?" Watson asked.
"He's in his studio. Let's go to him right away."
Lady Lily walked ahead of him and opened the door to the studio.
"Honey, Mr. Watson is here."
EddieDike looked up, his face serious. "Oh, my friend, welcome in. I've been waiting for you. Please, have a seat." Lady Lily brought him a glass of his favourite wine.
"What information did you get about Blue and Mr. Skinner? What is their relationship?" EddieDike asked anxiously.
Mr. Watson cleared his throat. "Well, my friend, Agent Mark said that Blue is the heir to Mr. Skinner's empire."
EddieDike stiffened. "What did you just say?"
"Blue is the only child of Mr. Skinner, and she will be the one running her father's business."
EddieDike's heart grew heavy as he
Slowly rested his head on his desk, his heart racing. For a moment, there was total silence as confusion clouded their minds.
"What are we going to do?" asked Lady Lily. "I think it's high time we told Thorndike what's going on before he finds out the truth himself."
Mr. Watson nodded. "Yes, I agree.
We have to inform him so he can be careful about Blue."
"Oh no! He has to stop seeing her!" EddieDike said angrily. "How dare they go this far to hurt me and my family?"
"Calm down, honey. We have to be
Careful with our words and actions. We don't really know Blue's intentions. She might have no idea about any of this," Lady Lily cautioned.
"Yes, you're correct. Let me remind you, Blue just came back to town. She might not be part of it."
EddieDike nodded and agreed with them. "Alright, but we need more information. We need to know what they are up to. I'm sure Mr. Skinner already knows who Thorndike is."
"Agent Mark is on it, but he's also working for Mr. Skinner. Jack, go to him."
Meanwhile, Thorndike gripped the
Steering wheel tightly as he sped home. Jack's words rang in his head like an alarm he couldn't shut off.
"You might want to ask your dear Father what he's been hiding from you."
What did that mean? His father—the man he had always looked up to—was hiding something? Something about Blue? About her family?
As he pulled into the Dike mansion, he barely took the time to shut off the engine before storming inside. His father, EddieDike, was in his studio, deep in conversation with Mr. Watson and Lady Lily.
"Dad," Thorndike called Sharply, interrupting them.
EddieDike and Mr. Watson turned to him, their expressions unreadable.
"Son, you're home early, "EddieDike said, his voice calm but wary. "What's wrong?"
Thorndike clenched his fists. "I need the truth. And I need it now."
EddieDike's gaze flickered to Watson,
Then back to Thorndike. "What truth?"
Thorndike took a step closer.
"Jack. Blue's family. The increased security around here. I want to know what's going on."
EddieDike sighed, rubbing his temples. "It's complicated."
"No," Thorndike snapped.
"No more excuses. I was at The Pearl Café today, where I went to see Blue, and one Mr. Jack came for Blue. He talked like he owned her—like she was trapped. He even asked me to ask you what you were hiding from me."
"Son, this is not the right time. Can't you see that I'm in a meeting with Mr. Watson?" EddieDike replied.
"Honey, I think we should tell him the truth," Lady Lily said.
"What truth?" Thorndike demanded.
EddieDike exchanged a glance with Watson, who simply nodded and stepped aside.
"It's time, Eddie," Watson said.
EddieDike took a deep breath before motioning for Thorndike to sit. He hesitated before lowering himself into the chair, his heart pounding.
"Son," EddieDike began, "there's something you don't know about our family's past. Something we never told you because we thought we could protect you from it."
Thorndike narrowed his eyes. "From what?"
EddieDike exhaled. "From Jack."
"Before you were born, someone
Tried to assassinate your mother and me. You were still in your mother's womb. We narrowly escaped and went to Mr. Watson's house to hide. Later that same day, we left Chuchu Town for London, where we gave birth to you."
Thorndike's face darkened. "Who tried to kill you?"
Jack," EddieDike said grimly. "He opened fire on us, but he missed. Now that he knows who you are, he won't stop hunting you."
"Why didn't you arrest him? And what does this have to do with Blue?"
Silence filled the room.
"It was, Mr. Skinner who sent Jack after us," EddieDike finally revealed. "Skinner is one of the most feared and ruthless men in Chuchu Town. We were just business rivals at first, but he became greedy. He wanted to take over the importation business so he could smuggle illegal immigrants, guns, drugs, and even engage in human trafficking. When I found out, I fought against it and won. That's why he sent Jack after us."
"Mr. Skinner is heartless, and we don't want him to hurt you," Lady Lily added.
"But what does that have to do with Blue?" Thorndike asked again.
"I hired a private investigator to look into Blue because her story about her family didn't add up,"EddieDike admitted.
"And what did you find out? Who is she?"
Mr. Watson cleared his throat. "She is the daughter and heir to Mr. Skinner."
Thorndike was in shock. His heart was clouded with sadness as he rested his back against the wall, bowing his head.
Lady Lily ran her hands over his shoulder to comfort him.
Thorndike then frowned. "There's something about Jack… something familiar."
Lady Lily and EddieDike exchanged
Glances. "What do you mean, son?"
"When I saw him, I felt like I'd seen him before," Thorndike murmured. "He reminded me of someone. Someone close."
"Meaning?" EddieDike asked.
Thorndike hesitated. "I don't know yet. But I will find out who he really is."
Meanwhile, at the Skinner Mansion
Blue sat in her room, staring blankly at the floor. Jack's words echoed in her ears.
"Your father is aware of your movements. He is furious."
Her father had never been kind, but now she feared his anger more than ever. She had disobeyed him by meeting Thorndike. She had put both of them in danger.
A knock at her door made her flinch.
"Come in," she said, forcing her voice to stay steady.
Jack entered, closing the door behind
Him. His usual smirk was gone, replaced with something colder.
"You really don't listen, do you?" he said.
Blue clenched her hands in her lap. "I just needed to talk to him."
Jack scoffed. "And what? Tell him Everything? Hope he'll rescue you?"
She remained silent.
Jack shook his head. "Your father wants to see you. Now."
Blue's stomach dropped. Slowly, she stood and followed Jack
Through the mansion. The deeper they walked, the heavier her steps felt.
Finally, they reached her father's Office. Jack pushed the door open and motioned for her to enter.
Mr. Skinner sat behind his massive desk, his piercing gaze locking onto Blue the moment she stepped inside.
"Sit," he ordered.
Blue obeyed, feeling like a child again under his intimidating presence.
"Jack tells me you met with Thorndike Today," Mr. Skinner said, his voice dangerously calm.
Blue swallowed. "It was nothing. Just a conversation."
"A conversation," he repeated. "Do you have any idea what you've done?"
She kept her head down.
Mr. Skinner slammed his hand against the desk. "Look at me when I speak to you."
Blue forced herself to meet his eyes.
"I didn't tell him anything."
Mr. Skinner leaned forward. "It doesn't matter. The fact that you continue to see him puts everything at risk."
"I didn't ask for this life!" she snapped before she could stop herself.
Silence.
Mr. Skinner's eyes darkened. "You are my daughter. That is your life. And you will do as you're told."
Blue's hands trembled in her lap, but she didn't look away.
Mr. Skinner exhaled, regaining his composure. "I don't want to see you near Thorndike again. Do I make myself Clear?"
She hesitated.
Jack, who had remained silent until now, stepped forward. "Blue, just listen. It's for your own good."
She knew Jack was enjoying this. He thrived on control, just like her father.
Finally, she nodded. "Yes, sir."
Mr. Skinner's expression softened just a fraction. "Good. Now, go to your room. You will remain there until I say otherwise."
Blue stood and left the office, her mind racing.
She couldn't see Thorndike again.
But what if he didn't stop looking for Her?
As she reached her room, she made a silent vow.
She had to find a way out. And this time, she wouldn't fail.