Chapter 27: Chapter 27

She was deeply in love with that man despite knowing that she was far below his standard. But she was hopeful. One day, her dreams would come through. One day, she’d become Mrs Shawn Mandez.

She prays he doesn’t fall in love with someone else and gets married to the person before she meets up with him. Her dreams would be crushed.

Although Shawn was several years older than her, Vivian didn’t care at all. It was even better that way. Older men were more caring and loving than agemates.

“I know mummy. I’m trying my best.” Vivian blushed deeply as she responded to Barbara.

“Very good, my baby. Keep working harder. Before you know it, you’ll graduate from school and become a successful actress in Beats Entertainments. Like you’ve always wanted.”

“That way, it would be easier for you…” the older woman was grinning from ear to ear as she spoke.

Barbara wanted nothing but the best for her daughter. And she was going to see to it that Vivian got nothing but the best.

Back to the present day:

“Awwwwwn.” Vivian squeaked happily as she clicked on the notification she had just received.

Her dearly beloved had just posted an update and she so eagerly wanted to see what it was.

The man rarely posted anything—just once in a couple of months… And each post he made were business related updates—branch openings, company collaborations and the likes.

Despite them being boring, Vivian was always excited to see those updates. They were her only means of connection to him.

She had even set her phone in such a way that whenever he made a post online, she would immediately get notified. That way, she was always one of the firsts to see.

The smile on Vivian’s face vanished and her forehead creased when she saw Shawn Mandez’s latest update.

It was a picture of a bottle of liquor and the trash emoji was used as the caption beneath the picture.

Huh…?

‘Does he not like alcohol?’

She was utterly confused and surprised at the same time.

This was the first time Shawn Mandez would post something completely unrelated to work.

She quickly clicked on the comments section and skimmed through the comments.

Although it was yet up to a minute that Shawn made the post, hundreds of netizens had already dropped their comments under his post:

“City’s sweetheart doesn’t like liquor?”

“Huh?”

“Yes, yes baby! I don’t like this brand either!”

“Since my darling doesn’t like this drink, I’ll stop taking it.”

“Goshhhh! So long!!!!”

“Babyyy”

“I love you!!!”

“Love emoji”

“Marry me (crying emoji)”

“I don’t like this brand either<<<”

There were so many comments that Vivian simply skimmed over a few rapidly. She went back to the uploaded picture and stared at it intently.

After a while, she pressed her lips to form a thin line. She’d make sure to stay away from this liquor.

Since the love of her life didn’t like it, she wouldn’t either.

As soon as lunch break was over, the two sisters said their goodbyes and went back to their different classes.

***

After school was over, Mia picked up her bag and headed out of the school premises. As she walked down the alleyway across the school, her path was soon blocked by a familiar group of people. It was Vicky and her crew.

Mia's heart skipped a bit as she immediately knew that she was in for a nasty beating.

As the girls began to encircle her, she braced herself mentally, knowing they'd pounce on her anytime soon.

"Little wench!" Vicky sneered at the girl.

"You never listen, do you?" She pursed her lips, "Didn't I tell you to stay away from Max?"

"I told you to leave him alone."

Earlier on in the morning, as Vicky walked down the hallway to her class, she had heard low voices from a corner nearby. Curious, she went in the direction of the voices and peeped. Lo and behold, she caught the wench having a conversation with Max. The same girl she had warned to stay away from the boy... Wasn't she scared for her life?

Vicky was terribly angry. After secretly taking a picture of the two of them together, she marched off to class, vowing to let the girl know what stuff she was made of.

Back to the present time.

At Vicky's signal, the bullies pounced on Mia and dealt with her like never before. It was way worse than the previous beating. The whole thing went on for a couple of minutes, and when they had dealt with her to Vicky's satisfaction, she ordered them to stop.

Eyeing the girl's battered body, Vicky nodded in satisfaction and left with her girls. Not sparing a glance back. Mia was left lying helplessly on the cold ground, with bruises all over her body.

Unknown to anyone, a man had witnessed the whole deal from where he sat in the backseat of a black Tesla, with an aloof expression on his face. The car was parked in a hidden corner so no one really paid attention to it. Besides, the glasses were tinted so it was hard to know there was anyone in there.

Lucas shuddered in fear as he watched his boss' facial expression through the rearview mirror. The man's face had turned pitch black and his hands that rested on the chair, on each of his sides, were balled up into rock hard fists. His eyes had also turned red.

There was no doubt that those kids had messed with the wrong person. They didn't know the storm was coming their way... and that they might not make it out alive.

A couple of hours ago. At Beats corporation.

After the meeting with the stakeholders ended, the CEO informed his personal assistant to get the car ready as they would be going over to pick the girl from school.

Shawn's grandfather had suddenly called earlier on that he would be going over to his place the following day, and that his grandson should make himself available. But the young man had other things in mind. He hadn't told the old man that he got back together with his wife—he wanted to surprise him.

BUt since the old man wanted to come over tomorrow, he'd need to rush things up. So, he ordered Lucas to drive him over to the girl's school so they could pick her up and they'd go take couple pictures together, and have their frames hung in the house before the meeting with grandpa Mandez. That would help erase any doubt from the old man's mind, and he'd have no choice but to believe that they were happily married—and that they lived together.

On arriving at the girl's school, after waiting for a few minutes, the big boss and his assistant saw the girl walking down the road. And just as she was about to reach the car, they saw her get double crossed, and thereafter, beaten to stupor.