He read the message, and he looked away angrily, eager to get her off his back. He didn’t need anyone to stress him mentally just like the way she was doing right now. “If you do not take me seriously the next time, you really would not like what I’m going to do. Let’s meet, tomorrow’s evening, 7pm sharp.” He had read the message again, and then placed his phone on the desk beside him. “I should be discharged when the day breaks.” Charles voiced out, and leaned his head on the pillow. “Well, it depends on how better you’ve gotten.” Vera replied. “I’m much better now. I have somewhere I want to be, by 7pm sharp. I missed it last night, and can’t afford to miss it this night.” Charles made it known to her with a serious expression. “Alright, noted.” Vera nodded her head. Vera walked out of the hospital to speak with the doctors, and ensure Charles was okay. “So, he can get discharged when he wants, right?” Vera asked, to be certain. “Yes, he can. We’ve checked his vitals, and everything that needs to be check, and he has recovered. The poisonous gas has been taken out, and thankfully, it didn’t stay long enough in his body to damage important things in his system.” The doctor replied, calmly. “Oh, alright. Thanks doctor.” Vera appreciated him, feeling relaxed. It was actually a stressful feeling to have both men she was working for, and with, to be down on the hospital bed. She walked out of the hospital, and took a cab which drove her off to the hospital where James was. “Is he okay?” James asked, out of concern. “Yes, he is. Thankfully, the poisonous gas wasn’t able to mix really much inside his system.” Vera replied, and exhaled as she sat beside James. “I’m so glad to hear that, but then, I feel so bad. If it wasn’t because I didn’t make a deep research, that wouldn’t have happened to him. I really do not know how I want to look into his eyes.” James said, looking sad. Vera held his right hand with both her hands, and pursed her lips, staring into his eyes like an understanding mother would. “I totally understand how you feel, but you should know Charles won’t resent you for this. It wasn’t your fault. We all make mistakes sometimes.” Vera said to him, expressing her concern for him. “I really wish these words came out of his mouth, instead. I can’t tell what he is thinking, and worse is I can’t go to see him right now.” James uttered, feeling guilty. “Just wait until he’s back. I’m sure you both would sort this out. But next time, just ensure you’re certain of the information you’re giving out so it doesn’t endanger anyone’s life.” CHARLES’ HOUSE It was evening, and Charles was prepared to head over to the restaurant which Josephine wanted him to come over to. His phone rang, and he was quite surprised to see who the caller was. He answered the call, interested in what he had to say. “Hey Charles. I see you’re feeling scared, and probably wanted to chicken out, but your pride won’t allow you to chicken out.” His father said, and chuckled, feeling big. “And who gave you that assumption that I chickened out? You really should be prepared, because I’m going to shake you until you realize the gravity of what you did in the past, and the present, so it will avoid you acting more foolish in the future.” Charles felt this rush of anger in him, and it was quite surprising how he changed from being calm to being annoyed. He hated his father’s guts, and couldn’t wait to show him the stuff he’s made of. Mr. Lincoln gave out a mocking laughter, and sighed. “You really do not cease to amuse me, Charles. We both know that you are so little compared to me, and that’s just evident enough that I’m going to crush you so hard that you’ll never be able to rise again.” “Save your threats for someone else. Now that I see you have nothing useful to say, I’ll get off the phone as I have other things to do. We’ll meet at court.” Charles said, then hung up. He slid his phone into his pocket, and headed out to his car, then drove off to the restaurant. While, he was driving, he prepared himself for what he was going to use against Josephine to get her off his neck, and he wasn’t interested in going easy with her. As soon as he got to the restaurant, he parked his car in an alley, and then walked into the restaurant. He was right on time, and he noticed Josephine, sipping a pineapple juice. He exhaled, and walked up to her, then took his seat, opposite her. “Excellent. You look handsome today. Someone like you shouldn’t given up on, especially when you have business tactics up your sleeves.” Josephine uttered, and rested her chin on her hand.“Get straight to the point. Why are you blackmailing me?” Charles questioned, with a straight face. Josephine chuckled, and then dabbed at her lips with a tissue paper, then squeezed it. “You thought you could do this to me.” She said, referring to the tissue paper she had just used, and squeezed. “Well, I got what I needed you for, which is to speak to Mr. Dane for me, and you did. So, what else?” “You can’t just leave. I told you that I wanted you, and you can’t just use me, because I said I wanted you.” Josephine said, in between her teeth. “You really do not have anything to justify your pain. You are married for goodness’ sake. But it seems you married, not out of love, but of the love of money.” Charles chuckled, and sighed. “Watch your mouth. I get whatever I want, and I want you, so I’ll get you. If you keep declining my offer, then I’ll make it known to everyone that you were making a pass at me.” Josephine threatened with her eyebrow, arched. “Unfortunately for you, you can’t do that anymore. One wrong move from you, and I will release this audio.” Charles retorted, and showed her what he had been recording. Josephine felt furious, and then picked up a glass of water, and splashed it on his face. “How dare you!” She said, in between her teeth, with a glare. “Like I said, one wrong move, and you’ll blame yourself for it. Should I release it since you had the gut to splash the water on me, in public?” Charles said, with an evil smirk.