The Kidnapped Bride

Not only Lucas but Olivia was also stunned to the core. Never in her wildest dream, did she expect that the other man will put forward such a demand. It was not only huge, but the brother of his was someone, whom they caught years ago. 

'Is the man in his senses already? It has been so long. He did everything like this....just to get his brother out of our clutches? Gosh..' if it was how she imagined, her mind is on the verge of bursting. 

Did he make such a high risk because of such a mere person? For his brother? Moreover, as far as she remembered from her past, Shawn's brother was caught in their state on the tour.

Someone alleged that he was here to spy but as expected out of Lucas's grandfather, he put him behind the bars, and since then, he is there itself. 

"You are talking about our brother...who was here ten years ago," Lucas asked in the much colder tone which was more like an Atlantic wind.

She can feel him getting furious. Moreover, he was his anger was near on bursting on someone, probably on her or by throwing something else on the ground. 

At the same thought, her eyes roamed on the entire room to see it messier and can feel a headache coming in her way. By this time, she has to calm him down.

Olivia kept her hand on his thigh, massaging it more lightly while making sure that his pulse calms down. This was all done to make him more relaxed.

"I'm serious. Whereas, I want one more valuable thing from your kingdom." Lucas didn't say anything and waited for the other part to just say it clearly.

When Shawn noted that Lucas had gone silent, he knew that his demands were big enough to send him into shock. Despite that, he finished his words, "I want that ruby that your people stole from us years ago. I know this is an old tale but, wishes to get what's mine."

"WHAT RUBBISH ARE YOU TALKING!!?!?" 

The voice echoed in the whole room, which made Olivia close her ears and eyes. She was deadly afraid by the sudden outburst on the topic of ruby.

It was the family heirloom passed from one generation to next and as far as she heard, it was supposed to go with Lucas's bride this time too.

His mother was ready to give it to Lucas once he got married but unfortunately, she gave up that idea until she found a daughter-in-law for him by herself. Since the wedding with Jennifer is simply out of the transaction, she decides to give it to their real daughter-in-law. 

"Calm Down, Lucas. I asked what belongs to me and my kingdom and my late wife. You have days to think, I will pass on my other demands too with time, which is very small in compared to those Take your time, and decide but don't forget that my eyes are on you, just like you keep yours on me."

"You!" Lucas was ready to put forward his outburst on the man but somehow controlled his inner urge. At the same time, Shawn hanged up because he finished what he had to say.

Lucas threw the phone on the bed behind and somehow Olivia sighed. At least he didn't throw it on the ground like earlier. She massaged his tensed shoulders a bit.

"The man is too much....asking for the ruby? Like really? That ruby has been with us for so long.." 

She was amazed to see the man's guts. Putting forward such a huge and variable demand requires a lot of strength. They are Johnsons, so they do not lack money.

Ruby... which he asked was true to be said to be kidnapped from Johnson's land. Real owners weren't Smith but Johnsons yet no one interfered much into it.

"That's why I thought…" a scoff left his lips on remembering the past events, "Why this man never revolted when his brother was sent behind the bars.. in our state? He just let us do whatever we wanted with him until… this means.." 

"This means he was looking for the right opportunity to attack and ask for whatever that belongs to him rightfully."

Olivia finished his leftover words and expressed what she thought. Lucas too nodded his head at her statement.

They were in a deep dilemma, whether to just ignore the man's words and leave their dream of getting real power which they were supposed to obtain by marrying Jennifer?

Or just agree to their demands and bring Jennifer back. Though Lucas was aware that the man will not compromise so easily. 

After all, the day of threatening doesn't come daily in that old bastard's life.

"So, what are you planning to do, Lucas?" Olivia asked with cautiousness in her voice. Yet her mind was more clever than he thought.

'At last, I can report back to my people about what they asked me…' Her heart was already in the garden of flowers. Despite knowing this situation is very complicated for Lucas, it was enough for her people to take any step ahead.

Lucas's shoulders dropped. A sigh escaped his mouth when the thought came inside his mind to soothe the entire mess. "I guess, I will just once talk with a grandfather with these demands.." 

...

At the same time, Javier was annoyed when he heard Emily's words. Lifting his eyes, he stared at her face with a clear frown. His deathly glare was enough, for her to feel sweat tickling down her spine.

But it seems that she wasn't interested to understand the deep meaningful gaze at all. "Javier, just a kiss will not cost you anything.." 

Instead of a smooth reply, Javier lifted his knife by which he was chopping the vegetables and pointed it in Emily's direction, with his expressionless face glowing. 

"You have a death wish, Emily?" 

...

Two chapters from tomorrow ^ ^