Charmed by the Billionaire CEO
Chapter 283: Feeling for his prey

Chapter 283: Feeling for his prey

Riel canceled the class as he couldn’t concentrate and kept making mistakes. He asked Christina to dismiss the class as he wasn’t feeling good and wanted to rest.

Agreeing to his request Christina ended the class and Riel left along with Max. Reaching the parking area, Riel stopped in front of his car but didn’t step in. His mind kept drifting towards Ashley and he wanted to know the reason why she skipped the class today.

He turned to face Max and was about to instruct him but stopped when he realized what kind of stupidity he was doing.

’Why am I so worried for her’ he thought and pulled back his attention from Max and quickly climbed into the car.

He needed to erase this uneasiness from his heart as it was creating a hurdle in between his revenge. What if he liked teasing her but that doesn’t mean he would end up getting concerned for his prey?

Getting into the car, he asked," Any news from Tori?"

"No boss. Everything seems to be going smoothly there" Max answered and turned on the car before driving away from the Academy’s building.

"Make sure she doesn’t get into any trouble"

"Yes boss"

Sitting in the backseat, Gabriel leaned behind and closed his eyes. He was trying to get Ashley’s face out of his mind but every time his mind turned silent all he could think was about her.

"Check why Ashley didn’t make it to the class" before he could understand, he spoke.

Max moved his eyes between the road and the rare mirror as he watched Gabriel looking at him in surprise. He could see the confusion marred all over his face as if he also wasn’t expecting to utter it in the first place.

"Okay boss" Max agreed as he couldn’t ignore his boss’s command and quickly pulled out his phone making a call to one of their informer.

After some time, they got a call in return where the informer told about Ashley not feeling well as he saw a doctor paying a visit to the Knight mansion. He also confirmed that the doctor was called for Ashley and no one else.

"Okay" ending the call Max looked at Gabriel who had his eyes eagerly gazing at him through the rare mirror.

"What did he say" Gabriel sounded restless as he questioned Max loudly.

Breaking the gaze, Max cleared his throat and said," Mrs. Knight isn’t well. Our informer saw a doctor leaving the mansion" he purposely introduce Ashley formally making Gabriel realize where his concern was heading to.

Though he was surprised to see Gabriel change in front of Ashley still, there was a thin line between them. Ashley was married and was the wife of his enemy Tristan Knight and it would be better if he keep it that way.

He couldn’t let his boss forget what he was here for and what was his purpose to befriend Ashley Knight.

Gabriel pursed his lips at Max’s formal introduction of Ashley and that was enough to silence him. Staring at Max, he pulled away his eyes and looked out of the window.

Throughout the drive, he never once spoke and let the journey turn silent.

*****

Hospital

Noah had been taking care of Alice the entire time. He was so worried for her that he didn’t let the nurse do their job and kept reminding them about her surgery.

"They know what they are doing Noah. Don’t go pointing their mistakes" Alice wonder how Noah handled his employee. Was he always like this complaining and criticizing them? she thought.

"That’s why she mistakenly touch your bandage" he stated, scowling at the nurse who just left a minute ago.

"Okay now stop sulking and come here and sit next to me," she said patting the space next to her.

Adjusting his mood Noah followed her words and took the seat next to her on the bed. He was content to see her looking fresh. The paleness on her face faded and she looked a lot better than yesterday.

"Are you sure, she didn’t hurt you" he still asked not sure if she was trying to save that nurse from his scolding and was secretly enduring the pain.

"No.. she didn’t" Alice replied but this time a little sternly which was enough to silence Noah.

Nodding his head in understanding, he then reached to hold her hand and was about to kiss it when he heard a knock on the door.

One of his men stepped in informing them about Theon who wanted to meet Alice.

"What is he doing here?" Alice mumbled as she stared at Noah doubtfully.

Noah too had no clue how Theon Keller learned about Alice’s accident. Thinking for some time, he then looked at the guard and motioned him to send Theon in.

"Why would you do that?" Alice questioned when she watched him giving Theon permission to meet her.

"There is no harm in meeting him. After all, he is your dad" Noah kept his tone gentle and kissed her knuckles in assurance when the door of her room opened and Theon stepped.

Alice’s breath hitched at the sight of her father’s overly changed appearance. The proud man he used to be was gone, she could feel it when he looked at her with yearning eyes.

"A-Alice" she heard his husky painful voice and her thoughts broke.

Blinking her eyes a few times, she motioned Noah to help her sit on the bed. She didn’t know how she was supposed to look at her father. All these years, she longed for his fatherly love, and now when she had finally lost hope, he was here to meet her.

Why now when everything was going fine in her life?

"I’ll wait outside" they heard Noah as he looked at Alice. Passing her an assuring smile, he walked out of the room giving the two the privacy to talk.

The was a long pause between the two when Alice decided to speak. "Have a seat Mr. Keller" she couldn’t bring herself to call him dad as he had lost that right on her.

For her, that word held the utmost respect, but her father didn’t deserve it.

Theon raised his head to look at Alice who never once glance his way and that was enough to increase the guilt he was feeling.

After losing everything, Theon realized how stupid he was to run after something which will only bring misfortune to him. He always wanted a son for carrying his legacy and failed to notice the angel he already had in his life.

He always looked down on Alice and tried to use her for his benefit but now he realized how stupid he was. His greed cost him everything. Not only he lost his empire but also lost his daughter.

Gripping his heart from falling apart, Theon composed his emotions and forced a smile. "It’s okay. I-I just wanted to see if you are fine"

Alice scoffed watching him act like he really cared for her. She just couldn’t digest the fact that her father was actually concerned about her health. Where was this concern when she suffered from depression?

Her eyes sharply glanced at him, watching through his action. She just didn’t want to believe him but to her surprise, she watched Theon silently cry.

Alice opened her mouth to speak but couldn’t. She had never seen her father tear up but now, it made her feel strange.

The proud Theon Keller was crying and she couldn’t believe her eyes. Everything seems to be different and that somehow pained her heart.

Theon stood there a few steps away from her bed as he blinked off his tears and smiled looking at his daughter. He cursed himself for never seeing her worth. He trust others but never once tried to understand his own daughter.

Every wrongdoing he did with his daughter kept reminding him how badly he failed as a father. She only longed for his love and care like every other child but what he did, was he treated her like a toy playing with her emotions. Differentiating her existence from someone he wished to have.

Now when he wanted to meet her eyes, he couldn’t because the guilt was eating him alive and it was better if they don’t interfere in her life.

"We are leaving this city forever" Theon words snapped her head in his direction.

"I just wanted to see you once before we leave" he further added.

Theon was finding it hard to have a normal conversation with his daughter. He had always been unfair to her blaming her for things she didn’t do. He was so blinded by his powers that he failed to see the good in her.

Alice watched her father smile as he wiped off the tears that failed to stop from rolling down his eyes. He looked so tired and that hit her hard.

"W-why" she finally managed to speak.

Though she kept telling herself that she didn’t care but deep down she did. She wasn’t a heartless girl but with time she managed to keep her emotions in control.