"Come in," Xavier said, voice low andmanding.


    The doorknob turned, and Brown stepped inside, dressed casually in a blue shirt and ck trouser. He had just let the office after seeing a viral knew of the fight that happened that day at the mall.


    For a full week, Brown had known where Penny was staying. But no matter how hard he tried, he hadn’t been able to gather more details about her. He had checked on the inte for her, young people were always on the inte, but Penny had no socials.


    Even if she did, she wouldn’t have her name up there. He was yet to tell Xavier about anything yet. Mostly out of fear.


    Because when this man got mad, countries suffered. Economies dipped. And heads rolled.


    But this news couldn’t wait anymore. Government officials were already poking around. It was time her father stepped in.


    "Shouldn’t you be home by now, Brown?" Xavier asked coldly. If the lights were on, Brown would have seen the deep scowl on his face.


    "There’s something urgent you need to hear, boss man," Brown said cautiously.


    "It better be," Xavier replied, stepping away from the window and heading back into the dark room. His movements were slow and menacing. He sat down and folded his hands, waiting.


    This man had always been terrifying, cool,manding, cruel. Brown often joked that Xavier and the Devil were probably best friends.


    "But I’m curious, Brown," Xavier said suddenly, drawing circles on the desk with his finger, his voice like ice. "Is this news more important than my daughter?"


    Brown swallowed. "It’s not sir. But the news this time is about your daughter. Sir."


    Xavier froze. His eyes narrowed in the dark, glowing faintly like a predator catching a scent. He was suddenly curious, had brown finally found where she’s living.


    Humph! Took him ages.


    "It took you this long just to find where she lives? Useless," he muttered.


    "T... That’s not it, boss man," Brown stammered.


    "What then?"


    "You told me to always keep an eye on her... make sure she’s safe," Brown began.


    Xavier sat up straighter, his tone turning sharp. "What happened to my child?"


    He was already imagining the worst. If anyone hurt her, he’d burn the entire city to the ground. He’ll make sure whoever hurt his child pay for everything they’ve done to her.


    "She was involved in a scandal," Brown said nervously and Xavier frowned. "She was bullied... and it’s gone viral."


    "Bullied?" Xavier’s voice dropped to a deadly whisper. Then he shot to his feet, mming the table with his palm. "My daughter was bullied?"


    "Who did it?! Give me their names!"


    "Who the hell dare bully my child? My seed?"


    "It was the Jacksons," Brown said, flinching. "Mayor Kine Jackson’s daughter."


    Xavier’s eyes red. "Call the mayor. Tell him he has twenty-four hours to fix this or he loses everything, his title, his reputation, everything."


    "I’ll make sure he burns in hell and gets locked for life."


    Grabbing his jacket, Xavier stormed out of the office.


    He needed to move before he broke something again. He was losing it. How dare they keep billing his child.


    He couldn’t wait for the month to be over to make an official announcement. He swore to protect her for the rest of her life once she’s with him.


    "Uh, sir! Wait! That’s not all," Brown called, rushing after him.


    "What now?" Xavier snapped, clearly done with conversation.


    Brown hesitated, then dropped the bomb. "Miss Penny... she’s living at the Adkins mansion."


    Xavier stopped dead in his tracks.


    <strong>####</strong>


    Meanwhile, back at the Adkins estate...


    Abby and May had been ready to tear Penny apart when the door suddenly swung open.


    Osvaldo stepped out.


    The moment they saw him, both women screamed and bolted like bats fleeing a church bell.


    "Oh my God?!" they yelped, sprinting off without a second thought. They’d both had their share of scary encounters with the infamous "madman" and weren’t about to risk another.


    Pauline blinked in confusion. "What’s going on? Why are you running?"


    "You need to leave, Pauline!" Abby shrieked from behind a hedge. "That man is crazy!" They both knew Osvaldo so well, that man could kill anyone at anytime and no one would do a thing about it.


    Just then, a sleek ck Prado SUV rolled into the estate and came to a smooth stop right in front of the penthouse.


    Mayor Kine Jackson stepped out, looking like a man who’d just seen a ghost.


    "Sweetheart... Stacey... please, leave her alone!" he shouted, running toward Penny.


    To everyone’s shock, he dropped to his knees.


    "I’m sorry! Miss Penny, please... don’t hurt us!"