INHERITANCE OF FEAR (Seriály #01)

CHAPTER 6: PLEAD

The left side of the mansion was used as the main venue since it's where the ballroom was located. Shining chandeliers adorned the space for the special occasion, a huge platter of delicious delicacies was presented for the guests to feast on, and a selection of appetizers was prepared by world-class cooks from around the country.

After a few hours, one by one, the invited guests soon arrived in their expensive outfits, aiming to impress. Suddenly, a loud thud caught the attention of those already present, followed by a high-pitched scream from a woman. "What was that?" Claudia asked. No one could answer her question, but they all went out to investigate the source of the scream. A maid later rushed inside, panting and catching her breath to deliver the horrifying news. "Madam Fleur is dead!" Horror filled the eyes of those present; some went pale and could no longer stand on their feet. Everyone went outside to see for themselves, hoping it was a joke. They were once again caught in a terrifying situation; the debutante in her pastel pink ball gown, adorned with rhinestones, lay on a field of roses, her eyes wide open, skin as white as snow, bruised and stabbed by thorns.

"Oh my gosh!" Yani screamed and sought solace in Wisconsin's arms to avoid seeing Fleur's body anymore. "What the hell happened here?" Sylvester asked, obviously terrified and unable to process any possibilities. Was it suicide? Was it a crime of passion? Or was it murder? The maids of the mansion tried to intervene, but nothing could be done. The grandfather, Dazmon, commanded his driver to call an ambulance, but the time they waited could possibly cost the debutante's life. Dazmon carried the body of his granddaughter and instructed his son, Damon, Fleur's father, not to let any guests out of the mansion until the situation was handled.

While Damon tried to calm the terrified guests, Dazmon rushed to the hospital with his unconscious granddaughter. Half of his men were left to handle the growing paparazzi, while the other half followed.

Inside the car, Dazmon caressed his granddaughter's cheek, pleading for her to hold on. "Apo... apo... please don't let go, lolo is here..." A tear flowed down his cheek as he felt the coldness of her skin. "Raynaldo! Hit the pedal already!" He shouted. After overtaking numerous vehicles on a busy road, they finally reached the emergency room. Maria, the maid, and Raynaldo were the only ones who accompanied him. His granddaughter was immediately placed on a stretcher with attendants providing oxygen. "Please! Save my apo!" he pleaded as she was taken into a room. Fear and doubts filled his heart as he watched the medical team work. His face fell in sadness as he saw the state of his granddaughter's body. A doctor later delivered the worst news he could receive. "I'm sorry, but we tried everything we could..." The old man shook his head in disbelief. "No, no! Save my granddaughter, do everything you must!" he shouted, desperate. Raynaldo tried to calm him, but the worried grandmother also arrived.

"My love... what happened? Where is she? Will she be fine?" Fear painted her face as she saw the situation, needing no explanation.

"No! Not my apo!" She collapsed to the ground, unable to believe what had happened. Her husband hurriedly ran to comfort her, both crying as they embraced each other.

While the guests were worried sick, Damon informed them they were not allowed to leave. All of them were waiting in the ballroom, with Damon and Wayne being the most concerned. Yani and Claudia had been crying for an hour, while Sylvester and Wisconsin were unable to comprehend the situation. A call then broke the silence. Damon answered, feeling a glimmer of hope as Dazmon Visokovich called. Diamond and Diana waited anxiously for answers. Damon's expression changed as he ended the call.

"What happened, brother?" Diamond asked, finally standing up, with Diana following, worried.

"I'll handle this," Damon replied, ending the call. "We need your cooperation. If you leave, the investigators might label you as a suspect."

Wayne covered his face in disbelief, while Sylvester and Wisconsin were terrified of what might happen next.

Damon noticed the crowd outside the mansion's gate, a fear realized. The media had arrived. Though he couldn't show himself yet, they needed to move to a private place.

Damon and Wayne asked the guests to wait in the unused room where Fleur used to practice ballet. Damon, despite being the most affected, couldn't shed a tear. He felt only the piercing pain in his chest and a desire for it all to end. Some guests received calls; two ladies, the closest to Fleur, were crying. No one knew what to do until men in black clothing entered.

"Good evening, everyone..."