STEEL CITY

Chapter 22

The grand-father and grand-daughter duo had the entire visitation room to themselves. Arthur stared at Daphne with sadness in his heart.

“You've been through so much,” Arthur said sadly.

“How is your health, are you feeling alright ?” she asked.

“I am fine. How are you doing ?” Arthur asked.

“I’m fine grandpa,” she said but Arthur knew better than to believe her.

“I thought Mira would come with you,” Daphne said, trying to change the subject which her grandfather noticed but didn’t comment on.

“Yes, she was,” he answered without elaborating.

“So why didn’t she come? Did you drive off leaving her ?” she asked, trying to further divert his attention. The man could only chuckle in his heart at his granddaughter’s desperate attempts but decided to play along.

“I kept asking if she wanted to come with me but the girl was too busy musing to give me an answer,” Arthur said.

Daphne smiled slightly, smiling genuinely or even laughing had become a major challenge since her sentence. The light atmosphere suddenly became tense as Arthur spoke.

“I’ll get you out of here no matter who is keeping you here,” he said.

“I don’t understand what you mean. Imogen is the on..,” she started but was interrupted by Arthur.

“I believe the Cy’s are involved,” Arthur said in a grave tone.

 “The Cys,” she said slowly, looking at Arthur like he was crazy.

“Yes,” he responded.

“THat’s quite the accusation. Why would they be after me ? I’m friends with their daughter,” Daphne said.

“The Cy family is much bigger than Mira’s nuclear family and you of all people should know how unsubstantial relationships are,” Arthur said with no remorse.

Daphne's eyes dimmed further as she remembered who put her behind bars. The relationships she cherished so much was nothing but a farce, she berated herself as she thought by now she would have learnt that not everyone was an ally. Could Mira be really working with Imogen?

“Do you really think that everyone who smiles in front of you is for you? That mentality is what got you here. Did I fail in raising you, I taught you to always protect yourself, your heart. How could you let those low lives do this to you,” Arthur said with his voice slightly raised as he was getting a tad angry.

“Have you forgotten who you are and what legacy you carry? You threw everything you learnt away to serve a man unworthy of you. You always spoke about relationships and how strong the power of love is, I always thought it was nonsense but now I believe you. I mean how couldn’t I, the power of love got you here,” he said mockingly.

A heavy silence settled in the air as Arthur realized that he might have been too harsh as he saw his grand-daughter shrink into her seat. Daphne was very important to him, amongst all his descendants she was the only one he acknowledged.

She was his prized jewel and seeing her in this condition made him enraged and he took it out on her. Arthur was a man who had reigns over his emotions so an outburst like this was rare and unusual. His expression softened as he stared at Daphne who looked like a scared rabbit.

“I’m not trying to hurt or mock you, I just don’t want you to make the same mistake twice. I’m not asking you not to form relationships, I just want you to understand that you can’t just do it leisurely, you have to be careful,” Arthur said in the calmest voice he could muster up.

“I know grandpa but is it wrong that even after everything that happened I still trust her,” Daphne asked.

Arthur sighed as he stared at her. “Daphne, do what you want, I would like to think this experience has given you a better sense of judgment. But if I find out she’s working with those uninitiated buffoons I will personally see that she is taken care of. Are we clear ?” he asked.

“Yes grandpa,” she responded.

“Now unto more pressing matters, I will see to it that you are released in two days,” Arthur said.

“I don’t understand. If you think the Cy’s are involved how are you going to get me out,” Daphne asked curiously.

“A few years away from me and you’ve already forgotten what I am capable of,” Arthur said proudly.

“I wish I could stay longer but if I want you out of here fast enough I better get going,” Arthur said.

Daphne’s mood dampened drastically as the thought of going back to her dark lonely cell weighed on her. Arthur noticed the change in her expression and held her tiny hands in his reassuringly.

“I’ll come back for you,” he said. “I promise,” he added and this soothed Daphne’s worries. Only she knew the weight and implications of his words.

Her grandfather’s promises were something she held in high regard as he never went back on his promises. Those two words were all the comforting she needed to get by her remaining two days here.

Arthur stood up and made his way out of the visitation room with the only sound that could be heard was that of his cane hitting the floor. Her grandfather's back was the last thing she saw before her eyes were blurred with tears, she felt like all the tears she had been holding back for two years were flowing freely without her permission. They didn’t stop even when she was being escorted to her cell; they just became silent.

Meanwhile, Arthur ordered his driver to take him to the Cys abode. After a long drive and security checks Arthur was standing in front of the Cys mansion. He was soon escorted by the Cy family’s butler into a drawing room.

After a few minutes Edward Cy walked into the room and after pleasantries were exchanged for formality’s sake Edward suggested they discuss in his study and Arthur obliged. 

When they got to the study Arthur noticed another man in the room. It was Damien which led Arthur to the conclusion that they were working before he came but Arthur didn't care that he was interrupting their work.

“I have reason to believe that you or someone from your family is keeping my grandchild in prison. I want her out of there immediately,” Arthur said immediately as he sat down, not beating around the bush.
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