Why Lorie? Part I

Chapter 31: Viktor Deals with Lawrence

Lorie and Josette sat together in Josette's bedroom, hugging each other and trembling with fear. They could hear loud banging noises and shouting from downstairs. At one point, Josette even thought she heard Lawrence scream. But the ruckus didn't last very long. Within less than ten minutes, the house was quiet once again.

Josette rushed to her door and tried to open it, but it was locked. She started pounding on it and yelling:

"Nicolae! Open the door! Let us out!"

But nobody answered. Josette kept on hitting the door with her fists.

"Viktor! Please unlock the door!"

"What do you think happened, Maman?" Lorie watched Josette with huge eyes.

"I don't know, cherie, but I intend to find out," Josette was out of breath from shouting.

Just as she was about to resume banging on the door, Josette heard a key turn on the other side. She quickly grabbed the handle and twisted it. The door opened, but there wasn't anyone standing there.

"What the...?" Josette muttered as she looked both ways down the hallway. No one was in sight.

She turned toward Lorie. "Wait here. I will go and see what's happening downstairs."

"But, Maman... I don't want to be left all alone," Lorie pleaded.

"Please... do as I ask. I'll only be gone five minutes," Josette replied.

She then cautiously walked down the hallway and took the stairs to the first floor. The entire place was eerily silent.

"Viktor? Nicolae?" Josette whispered. "Is anyone here?"

She quietly crept toward the den. The door was wide open. Josette stepped inside the room and looked around. To her surprise, nothing looked out of place. There was no evidence that a physical altercation had occurred. Josette was confused. She searched for any clues but found none. It was as though nobody had set foot inside the den since she and Lorie had gone upstairs.

"But... this is impossible," Josette muttered.

"What's impossible?"

"Nicolae! You scared the living daylights out of me!" Josette cried out.

"Sorry... I didn't mean to frighten you," Nicolae approached her, holding his hands up defensively.

Josette spun around, spreading her arms out: "I can't believe this!"

Nicolae arched an eyebrow: "Can't believe what?"

"Where is everyone? I heard a lot of noise and shouting," Josette explained. "And then I come in here, and it looks perfectly... normal."

"That's because nothing much happened after you left," Nicolae said nonchalantly.

"That's not what it sounded like," Josette frowned in confusion.

"You're right. Father had some words with Lord Danville," Nicolae conceded. "It got a bit heated... but Viktor was able to convince Lawrence to leave... as you can plainly see."

"And where is Viktor now?" Josette still wasn't convinced.

"He decided to escort Lord Danville back to his hotel... to make sure he was keeping his promise," Nicolae said.

"Hmph," Josette scoffed. "And Lawrence agreed? Just like that?" She snapped her fingers for emphasis.

"Well... I won't lie to you... it took some persuading," Nicolae replied. "But it turns out money can buy anything... even a Lord's full cooperation."