THE FORGOTTEN HEIRESS-Chapter 123: Ariel Is Missing

Cheryl’s mocking voice sounded on the phone, "Where else would I be if not my office? I am not the President like you who can decide not to go to work for a week and nothing would happen."

"Look at the pot calling kettle black. Who was it that went on a vacation and stayed away from work for a good two weeks?" Kathleen smirked as she took the next turn towards Moore Chambers.

"I will be there soon. I hope you know what to do before I get there?"

"I don’t know," Cheryl feigned ignorance. "Oh, oh, oh, now I remember?"

"I will arrange some maids dressed in skimpy palace uniforms that will line up in front of my office and throw confetti all over the place while chanting: "All hail her majesty, the President of Wyatt Corporations" as soon as you arrive."

Kathleen was rendered speechless. "Which palace movie have you been seeing lately?" She asked.

"Sorry your majesty, I have to get busy now as I have so much to arrange before your arrival, Bye..." and with that Cheryl ended the call before Kathleen could throw back a response.

They both burst out in laughter from their respective locations simultaneously while still holding on to their phones.

When Kathleen got to Moore chambers, fortunately there were no palace maids throwing confetti but just the receptionist who led her to Cheryl’s office.

As soon as she walked in, an airy voice sounded from behind the desk. "Your royal majesty."

Cheryl stood up to welcome Kathleen, a dubious smile playing around her mouth.

Kathleen also got in the act as she responded, "Thank you my loyal subject. Can we get down to business?"

"Yes your highness. What can this humble servant do for you?" and lowered her head in a mock bow.

The atmosphere was lively and heartwarming.

"You can start by being serious." Kathleen said as her eyes scanned the office which was packed with voluminous books and folders all displaying one legal topic or the other.

"What’s the plan so far?" she asked.

"The first hearing will be taking place in two days time and everything from my own side is ready," Cheryl said, getting serious.

"So you have to ensure that nothing happens to the witness and the evidences we have gathered so far."

"I can ensure that," Kathleen promised. "But how are you planning to sort out Spider?"

"I will not deceive you, he is going to be sentenced based on his past offenses but I will try to plead for a reduction in whatever sentence that he would be given," Cheryl warned.

"I’m aware of that and he is also mentally prepared for it."

Cheryl was pleased with Kathleen’s response. "It is good he is prepared for the worst so that whatever happens he will not be too shaken."

"Do you know who the lawyer they will be hiring is? I have tried to ask around but haven’t heard anything yet, maybe you will have an idea."

"I didn’t bother myself with that, whoever he is, we will meet in court soon," Cheryl said with confidence.

Kathleen’s brow narrowed as she tried to guess who the lawyer might be. "He is probably not from around here. I can’t see any lawyer that can stand against you in court. Maybe that is the reason they tried to sneak her out of the country."

"Why would they even think of something that foolish?" Cheryl believe they should have known better than taking that dumb step.

"With just this act, they have complicated their situation and whoever is taking up their case may just be doing that for the money."

As they were still talking in the office, Kathleen’s phone rang, after picking the call, her face suddenly changed.

"What’s the matter? Why is your face suddenly like this after receiving that call?"

"That was my assistant,"

"Ariel Stanford? Hope there is no problem,"

"I think she is in trouble?" Kathleen grabbed her bag and hurried out of Cheryl’s office.

"Janice, what is going on? And where are you suddenly rushing to?"

"They got Ariel and I need to quickly go and save her," she dashed out of the office while speaking and before Cheryl knew what was happening she was already in her car.

"You can’t just rush out like that," she tried to stop her while running after her but she was a bit late as the next minute, Kathleen’s car zoomed off, leaving a trail of dust behind her.

Cheryl was confused and didn’t know what to do.

It was dangerous going out at a time like this. It was also obvious they were after Janice and only using Ariel as their bait to get to her.

Cheryl kept calling Kathleen’s phone but she didn’t pick up.

She immediately sent for her driver and ordered him to drive to Fairview Villa, the residence of the Wyatts. She believed Director Wyatt should know what to do.

She went through her contact to reach them before getting there but to her greatest chagrin their number was not on her contact list.

The only person that came to her mind now was Jason, but he was far away in another country and by the time difference, he should be asleep at this hour.

She called his number despite knowing he might not answer , her hands were shaking in fear.

After three rings, Jason’s drowsy voice sounded from the other end of the phone.

"Sweetie Pie, what’s up. Why are you calling so late at night? Did you miss..."

She didn’t wait for him to finish his sweet nothings nor exchange the usual pleasantries she normally did when she heared Jason’s voice but directly said without any preambles, "I think Janice is about to get into trouble."

"What do you mean she is about to get into trouble?" Jason yawned sleepily as he rubbed his eyes.

"Please call your parents immediately, there is no time for too much questions. We need to stop her from walking into a trap." Cheryl’s agitated voice sounded.

"Can you calm down and tell me what is going on?" Jason said as he tried to make sense of what Cheryl was saying.

"Her assistant, Ariel is missing?"

"Ariel is missing? What happened?"

"Just a few minutes ago, Janice was with me in the office discussing about the court case when she hurried off, saying she was going to save her assistant just after receiving a call," she breathlessly explained.

After getting a grasp of what Cheryl was saying, the sleep in Jason’s eyes instantly disappeared and he jumped out of bed.

"What court case are you talking about?" It was apparent he had not been carried along with the latest happenings in his sister’s life.

"Jason!" Screamed Cheryl. "We will talk about that later, what is important now is saving Janice from whatever trap she might be walking into"

"You are right, I will call my dad immediately to inform him. Where are you presently."

"I’m on my way to Fairview Villa." Cheryl answered.

Jason frowned, "Hope you are not the one driving?"

"No, I took the driver with me." An indescribable warmth spread over Cheryl’s heart at Jason’s consideration. Despite the dire situation at the moment, he still remembered her safety.

But the feeling was fleeting as they had a more urgent situation at hand.

"I need to hang up now, so I can put a call through to my dad, Take care of yourself," Jason admonished.

"Okay." Cheryl said and ended the call immediately.

At Fairview Villa, only Mrs Carr was at home when Cheryl got there. The children were yet to be back from school and Mr Duncan had driven Stacy out somewhere.

In other not to frighten Mrs Carr, Cheryl turned back after knowing that the ones she was looking for were not around. She could only go back to her office to wait for news from Jason.

Meanwhile Kathleen who had been trying to reach Ariel after receiving her call could no longer reach her.

She had no choice but to proceed to the address that was sent to her from Ariel’s phone before it was switched off.

Following the direction from google map, It led her outside the town and she drove for about an hour before she got to the address.

It stopped in front of a storey building that didn’t look like one of such that is normally used in keeping hostages.

From the outside it looked very much habitable with neatly mowed lawns and flowers on either side of the lawn.

A black Mercedes Benz car was even packed in the driveway and from the tire marks it hasn’t been long that it was parked there.

With a quick glance, she counted six burly men in security uniforms patrolling the grounds of the building, although no weapon was visible, one could tell that there were bound to be secret weapons stowed somewhere underneath their uniforms.