HEIRESS [JUSTICE #1]

21|| Trust Asundered

The most expensive thing in this world is trust. It can take years to earn and just a matter of seconds to lose.

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Andrew and Nora dropped their hands and looked in the direction of the crash. It came from the garden to Nora's left.

“Is anyone there?” Andrew asked tentatively.

“Andrew?” Roxy popped up from a corner. “Why are you here?”

“I came to see madam Marlene, what happened?” Andrew continued, glancing at Nora then approaching Roxy.

Nora breathed a slight sigh of relief since it seems Roxy didn’t hear anything.

“I was taking this pot to the greenhouse, Aunty Marlene asked me too but it slipped from my hands,” Roxy answered, staring in dismay at the broken pottery.

“There is a greenhouse here?” Nora said surprised and intrigued.

Roxy nodded and looked at Andrew. “I’ll take you to the greenhouse.” she looked at Nora pleadingly and Nora smiled.

“I’ll help you clear this.” Nora assured her.

“Thank you.” Roxy breathed gracefully and smiled at Andrew. “Come,” she said and started walking.

Andrew glanced at an unbothered Nora before following Roxy.

            Andrew lowered his head as he faced a shocked Marlene after reporting the suspect's death. Roxy was equally shocked.

“What do you mean you lost the suspect?!” Marlene exclaimed furiously. “that man almost killed my daughter, what the heck are you detectives doing?”

“I’m sorry madam.” Andrew apologised quietly.

“Your apology means nothing if you haven’t caught the madman after us.” Marlene seethed, “It seems your department doesn’t take our family seriously.”

“Ma let's calm down, the detectives–”

Marlene turned to Roxy sharply. “You do not have to pity them Roxy. Our safety is the number one priority. If these detectives can’t assure that, what is their use?”

Roxy looked down sadly and Andrew felt bad. He expected this much of a reaction from Marlene. “I assure you ma, we will catch this criminal.”

“You better,” Marlene spat back and picked up her ringing phone. “Hello?”

“Marlene, is this how you conduct your business?” A furious voice spat.

“What do you mean Mr Ojo? I don’t take kindly to insults.” Marlene said darkly and the person on the other side hesitated.

“Do you know what your daughter is doing? How dare she threaten to put a restraining order on my son?!” Mr Ojo said angrily.

“What?” Marlene gasped and looked serious. “Are you at the office?...I will be there soon.”

Marlene hung up and realised Roxy and Andrew were still there. “We will discuss this later and with your leader.”