Beyond Scandal{Book 1 Of The London Affairs Series}

{20}

Chapter Twenty:

•Adonis•

"Don't put off the ring" I said as Sabrina placed her hand on the handle of the car to open it. She paused, turning to look at me as her lips stretched into a smile.

"Okay, Mr Huang" She said teasingly making me roll my eyes. Chuckling as she climbed out of the car, before biding me goodbye. I looked at her as she strolled towards the front door before the door opened up and she got into the house. My eyes drifted back inside of the car, lingering on the passenger's seat.

I'm really doing this. I'm gonna be in a fake romance with Sabrina Rhodes, something I swore to never ever do in my life.

I took a deep breath in as my phone rang. I grab it from the glove compartment to see whom was calling.

'Levi Carson' was written boldly on the screen. I rolled my eyes as I answered the call.

"Hello" Levi greeted.

"How may I help you?" I replied making him let out a dry laugh.

"Would you stop being all grumpy and get your ass over here" He said.

I put on the keyless ignition, swerving the wheel of the car with my left hand as I drove away from Uncle Kevin's compound.

"No, I wouldn't stop being all grumpy and definitely wouldn't get my ass over wherever the fuck you are" I replied, my concentration fixated on the road.

"Adonis? This is very important, you really need to get here" He begged making me roll my eyes.

"You can just say it over the phone" I said, feeling so reluctant to drop by wherever he is.

"It's not over the phone matter brother." He groaned in annoyance.

"Why?" I prompted.

There was silence for a while before he spoke up. "It's about your brother's and father's death... I think I've found something"

Hearing these, I paused my driving, clenching my teeth together. Not in anger but because I have to drop by wherever he is now.

"Where the fuck are you?"

"Imperiya Vlasti" He said, making me exhale sharply.

"I'd be there in a jiffy" I said disconnecting the call. I hit my hand on the steering several times before cars start horning at me to get out of the way.

I rolled my tongue inside of my cheek, taking control of the wheel again taking a u turn.

I stepped out of my car and onto the sleek, black pavement of Imperiya Vlasti's private parking lot. The neon lights of the club's entrance beckoned, but my mind was elsewhere. Levi's urgent call had left me with more questions than answers.

"Adonis, meet me at Imperiya Vlasti. I have updates on your family's case," Levi's voice still echoed in my head.

I pushed open the heavy, silver door and was immediately enveloped in the club's opulent atmosphere. The soft glow of crystal chandeliers, the hum of hushed conversations, and the smooth jazz melody created a sense of refined exclusivity.

Levi spotted me from across the room and raised his glass in a silent greeting. I navigated through the crowd, shaking hands with acquaintances and nodding at familiar faces.

"Adonis," Levi said, as I took a seat beside him. "Thanks for coming."

"What did you find?" I asked, cutting straight to the point.

Levi sipped his scotch before responding, "We've made progress, but it's complicated. The investigation into your father's and Alex's deaths... it's like unraveling a thread that's been deliberately tangled."

"Tell me," I urged.

"We discovered a shell company linked to the Kox family. It appears they were involved in a lucrative business deal with your father's company, but things went sour. There's evidence of embezzlement, and it looks like your father discovered their scheme."

My grip on my glass tightened. "The Kox are behind it."

"Not so fast," Levi cautioned. "We still need concrete proof. But here's the interesting part: there's a witness who claims to have seen one of the Kox brothers arguing with Alex just days before his death."

My mind reeled. This was the first tangible lead in years.

"What's the witness's credibility?" I asked.

"Solid," Levi replied. "Former employee of the Kox's company. Scared, but willing to cooperate."

I took a deep breath, processing the information. The Kox family's involvement was starting to look more and more suspicious.

"We need to protect this witness," I said.

"Already on it," Levi assured. "We're working with a trusted contact in law enforcement."

As I nodded, a server appeared with a whiskey, courtesy of Levi. I raised the glass, my eyes locking onto Levi's.

"Thank you, Levi. You're getting closer to the truth."

Levi's expression turned serious. "We're just getting started, Adonis. But I promise you, we'll uncover the truth."

I downed the whiskey, the burn fueling my determination.

The Kox family thought they'd gotten away with murder.

Not on my watch.

"Levi, what's the motive? Why would they kill my family?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

Levi's eyes narrowed. "We're still working on that. But I have a theory. Your father's company was on the verge of a major breakthrough, something that would've disrupted the Kox's interests. Maybe they saw your family as a threat."

A threat.

The word echoed in my mind.

"I want to meet this witness," I said.

Levi hesitated. "Adonis, I understand your desire, but-"

"I need to know what happened to Alex," I interrupted.

Levi nodded. "I'll arrange a meeting, but you must be careful. The Kox family won't hesitate to silence anyone who gets in their way."

I nodded, my jaw clenched.

I would uncover the truth.

No matter the cost.