Claimed By A Criminal

CHAPTER 2

" Emilia " was startled by the sudden, jarring sound of the door being shut. Her heart raced as she awoke, a mixture of anxiety and fear gripping her. Slowly, she climbed out of her bed and tiptoed through the dimly lit corridor toward the lounge. It was a quiet, eerie calm, and her father was nowhere to be seen. The relief washed over her; finally, she could breathe freely, knowing that her father had left for work.

After taking a soothing bath and cleaning herself meticulously, Emilia stepped out of her room. Her stomach gnawed at her like a relentless beast, but she made a conscious decision to put her immediate hunger aside and address the chaos in the house. Broken pieces of utensils and shattered glassware littered the floor, remnants of her father's drunken rage from the previous night.

Emilia, though fragile and weak, determinedly picked up the shattered fragments one by one, her fingers trembling as she worked through the sharp edges. Cleaning the entire house, though not large, was a gruelling task she faced daily, her solitude and vulnerability making it even more challenging. But she had no other choice.

A sudden presence behind her sent a jolt of terror through Emilia, causing her to shriek. A hand clamped over her mouth, muffling her cries. She recognized the voice; it was Harry's.

" Harry...............," she gasped as he turned her around. Fear gripped her heart, and she clutched a nearby vase, ready to defend herself.

" Whoa, relax... relax, girl............," Harry spoke soothingly, his voice a balm to her anxiety. He gently took the vase from her hand and placed it on a nearby table before playfully tickling her. Laughter bubbled between them, a moment of relief from the weight she carried.

" Emilia! " Angela's voice echoed from the kitchen, pulling them from their laughter. Harry and Emilia hurried to the kitchen to assist Angela. The three of them set about unpacking the pancakes and coffee that Angela and Harry had brought for her. These two were Emilia's lifelines, the only positive influences on her life.

Harry's touch on Emilia's cheek sent her recoiling in pain, and both he and Angela exchanged shocked glances as they noticed the vivid, red fingerprints on her right cheek. Concern etched across their faces, they began questioning Emilia about her injuries.

Bursting into tears, Emilia recounted the horrors her father had inflicted the previous night, how he had brutally slapped her and demolished the utensils and glassware. Harry enveloped her in a tight hug, gently patting her back as he tried to offer comfort. Emilia rested her head on his shoulder, silent tears streaming down her cheeks.

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Fully clad in a devilish ensemble, Shane entered his office, an aura of power and authority surrounding him. The office exuded elegance, with shiny black marble floors, pristine white walls, and a ceiling. A massive wooden bookshelf covered one wall, while a modern office desk stood opposite it, adorned with Shane's laptop and various office equipment meticulously arranged.

Shane settled into a comfortable rolling armchair beside the desk, his blueish eyes gleaming with mischief. Daniel occupied a chair on the other side of the desk, awaiting Shane's attention.

" What do you want to talk about, Daniel? "Shane's voice, cold as ice, sliced through the room. Daniel had been a loyal associate since the time of Shane's father, Mr. Roger. His loyalty was unquestioned, and Shane placed immense trust in him.

Daniel hesitated before speaking, his voice laced with concern. " Boss, someone has been stealing drugs from the containers earmarked for transport. Three containers have gone missing. I've instructed all our workers to search, but there's no trace.............."

A frigid anger seized Shane, his hands clenched into fists, knuckles turning white. He slammed a fisted hand onto the desk, the resounding thud echoing through the office.

Daniel flinched at the sound, unable to meet Shane's furious gaze. " How could you be so careless, Daniel? " Shane's voice thundered. " Do you think this is a joke? This was one of the most critical shipments this month, and you're telling me the containers have vanished! Where have they gone? I want the culprit, Daniel, and when I find them, they will suffer. I'll make them beg for mercy............" Daniel trembled before Shane's unbridled rage, opting to stay silent, fearing the consequences of further words.

" Do you understand, Daniel? "Shane demanded once more, his tone unwavering. "Yes, Boss," Daniel replied a quiver in his voice. " We will find them, and they will be at your mercy, " Daniel spoke in a confident tone.

" That's precisely what I want," Shane declared icily................. "You may go now, but don't return until those thieves are in the basement. No matter how many they were, they should realize whom they've crossed." Shane's expression remained chillingly composed.

Without uttering another word, Daniel rose and exited the office, leaving Shane to stew in his seething anger.