Master of Lust

Chapter - 278

After the police team dispersed, officers began examining the scene with sharp, methodical precision. They moved around the house, taking note of scattered items, overturned furniture, and other possible signs of a struggle. Some forensic officers dusted for fingerprints on the door handle while others carefully bagged any objects of interest.

They took photographs of each angle, ensuring every detail of the scene was preserved, while others questioned the neighbours about any unusual sounds they might have heard.

Moments later, the shrill wail of ambulance sirens filled the air, drawing closer until they came to a stop outside. A few paramedics entered with stretchers, quickly tending to the groaning goons on the floor. They hoisted each injured attacker onto stretchers, securing them in place as a handful of officers accompanied the medical workers out, while others continued investigating inside.

Meanwhile, Sharon closed her eyes briefly, steadying herself as she took slow, deep breaths. She mentally prepared her questions, forming them carefully. But before she could speak, Rick broke the silence, fixing her with a knowing gaze.

"What are you doing here, Sharon?" he asked, his tone edged with suspicion, "I mean, you got here pretty quickly. It hasn't even been fifteen minutes since they arrived," Rick's eyes sharpened as he looked at her, the realization dawning in them—she was monitoring him. Keeping close tabs.

Sharon shifted, caught off guard but refusing to let it show. She replied smoothly, "I was just on my way to visit you when I saw some suspicious vehicles speeding away. Called the other officers as soon as I could."

Rick cocked an eyebrow, his tone laced with doubt. "And why were you coming to visit me this early, Sharon? Doesn't seem like you were just dropping by to say good morning."

For a moment, Sharon hesitated, struggling to find a convincing response. Then, with a small sigh, she said, "As you might know, your father was injured last night and went into a coma. I thought it would be best to discuss that with you."

Rick's gaze hardened. "But it was an accident, wasn't it? So, there's really nothing to discuss."

Sharon blinked, thrown off for a second by his blunt response, a flicker of confusion and unease crossing her face. But she quickly collected herself, straightening and meeting his gaze confidently. "I'm the one asking questions here," she said with authority.

Sharon's eyes narrowed as she fixed him with a piercing look. "Who are these guys, and why did they kidnap Jemimah?" Her tone was sharp, leaving no room for dodging.

Rick shrugged, though a flicker of irritation crossed his face. "I don't have a clue," he replied, feigning casualness. "They came out of nowhere, ambushed us, and took Jemimah. I was about to get answers from that one goon, but your officers took him away."

Sharon's frustration boiled over, her voice rising. "There's no point in pretending you're clueless, Rick. Your father was nearly killed by a truck, and now he's in a coma after some 'accident,' and the girl living with you—who conveniently has no memory—is kidnapped right under your nose. Why is it that every bad thing seems to happen around you, yet you always claim you're uninvolved?" She took a breath, letting the question hang.

Rick's face tightened, but he said nothing.

Sharon stepped closer, lowering her voice. "Rick, if you really care about Jemimah or even about your father, then it's time you stopped playing the ignorance card. Tell me the entire truth—everything. Only then can I help you, and only then can we get her back safely."

Rick paused, looking like he was genuinely weighing her words before finally speaking. "Look, I'm telling you, I have nothing to do with any of this. My father ended up in a coma because he supposedly slipped in the bathroom—that's what the hospital told us."

"That's all I know. As for Jemimah, well… after you left last night, we went out to a restaurant, and there was this waitress there. She started ranting about some nonsense, calling Jemimah 'Nadia' or something." He shrugged, putting on a blank, confused look.

"Honestly, I have no idea what any of that was about."

Sharon's eyes narrowed at him, as if searching for any hint of deception, but Rick kept his expression steady, playing the role of clueless innocence perfectly.

Sharon sighed, clearly frustrated. "You always seem to have a convenient defence, don't you, Rick? Wherever you go, there's a trail of damages, injured people… yet you somehow always manage to have the right excuse to dodge any real suspicion from the law." She shook her head, her tone sharpened with annoyance.

"Investigating you for roughing up these guys would be pointless because you'd just claim self-defence."

She crossed her arms, her gaze piercing. "Fine then. Let's go to that restaurant you and Jemimah went to last night—the one with the waitress who recognized her. What's it called?"

Rick kept his expression nonchalant. "La Fleur Etoille."

Sharon raised an eyebrow, a hint of scorn in her eyes. "La Fleur Étoilée? That pompous, fancy restaurant? A single item there costs more than my entire month's salary. How on earth could you afford it?"

Rick just spread his arms in a shrug, offering no explanation.

Outside the house, Sharon swung her leg over her Harley and fired it up, the engine growling to life with a roar that sliced through the early morning air. She glanced back at Rick, signaling him to hop on.

Rick took his seat behind her, his grip steady on the bike's side bars as she revved the throttle, sending a powerful rumble through both of them.

As they merged onto the main road, the city gradually began to stir around them, and with each turn, the roar of the Harley announced their quick approach to La Fleur Étoilée. Sharon leaned forward, expertly weaving through traffic as Rick held on, each of them braced for whatever they'd uncover at their destination.

Arriving at La Fleur EtoilleLa Fleur ÉtoiléeLa Fleur Etoille, the restaurant looked elegant and luxurious, though somewhat subdued in the morning light—its charm less vibrant without the glow of decorative lights or the line of luxury cars parked out front.

As they stepped down from Sharon's Harley and made their way toward the entrance, Sharon gave an offhand, snarky comment. "Hope we're dressed well enough for La Fleur Etoille place," she remarked, raising an eyebrow.

Rick laughed, brushing it off, leading the way inside.

As they walked into La Fleur Etoille, Rick and Sharon immediately noticed the curious glances from the staff at the entrance.

"You were telling it was just a minor argument last night? Huh, it does not look like that. Did they fight or something?", Sharon said looking at all the staffs.

"Nah! It was not even an argument, Annie did all the talking, while Jemimah gawked at her with a confused face. Either Annie has exaggerated the events to them or they are natural over actors."

Two waitstaff, standing near the doorway, were whispering in low voices, clearly assuming they couldn't be heard.

"Hey, isn't that the guy from last night? The one who came in with that girl Annie was arguing with?" one of them murmured, eyes shifting toward Rick. The other snickered, nudging their co-worker.

"Yeah, that's him! And he's here with a different girl now. Annie was calling the other one a total slut; looks like this guy's no saint himself. Guess they both deserve each other," he sneered, laughing under his breath.

Both Rick and Sharon, despite the low volume, caught every word. Rick's jaw clenched slightly, but he held back, glancing over at Sharon, who was already striding purposefully toward the staff members.

Her face was set in a look of steely annoyance as she pulled out her badge, flashing it in front of them. The waitstaff's laughter died instantly, replaced by a look of sheer dread.

One of them stammered, "Uh... dude, last night's thing wasn't anything serious. No need to get the cops involved... It was just a little argument, that's all. We didn't mean anything by it."

Sharon's eyes narrowed. "The 'girl in question' from last night, Nadia, has been kidnapped. And Annie is a person of interest. Where is she?"

The staff members glanced at each other nervously. Finally, one of them admitted, "Annie isn't here. Her shift was supposed to start in the afternoon, but she's been suspended... you know, after the whole mess last night."

Sharon extended her hand, and the other waiter reluctantly handed over Annie's contact details and home address, their faces pale with unease. Without a word, Sharon nodded and motioned to Rick to follow her.

As they exited the restaurant, Sharon headed straight for her Harley, signalling Rick to hop on. With a firm rev of the engine, they set off towards Annie's house, Rick gripping the seat behind her as they wove through the bustling streets.

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Author's Note: While you are enjoying this story, don't forget to check out my two new stories:

1. My Harem Will Help Me Get My Revenge

2. From Beauties to Treasures: I will own them all

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