Blackmailing His Runaway Bride by Dance-is-me (mobi reader txt) 📖

"Heavens no!" Charles almost slapped his father with the glare that came with his words. "She has suffered enough."

"So... what? You are like her knight in shining armour?" The old man teased, immediately easing the heat encamped in his son.

"I am just regular old Charles doing what I do best."

"Regular old Charles my foot," his father snickered. "So... if Manifold doesn't want money, what are you doing to help Isabella?"

"I helped her file for a divorce."

"Wait, are you going to marry her?"

Charles shrugged. "I don't see why not. I almost did in the past."

Christopher Oxford gave his head a light tilt and said, "Your mother won't like that, Charles. Speaking of your mother..." Charles didn't get a chance to respond to the first statement. "Do you have any idea where she might be?"

"She didn't tell you?" Charles did a good job of hiding his surprise. But he was indeed shocked that his mother left the comfort of their London home without telling her husband.

A light huff came from his father as his fingers played with his arraign of rings. "Your mother acts like a stranger these days."

"How so?"

"She keeps a lot from me and I can't even imagine why."

"Father..."

"What am I doing?" His father chuckled dismissively. "I shouldn't bother you with such stuff." A gentle smile took over his face. "I am glad you are doing great and I am happy you found her again."

"Thank you, Father."

"Do send her my luck, she needs lots of it. If there is one thing about the Manifolds I am certain of, they can become very possessive in a horrible, life-threatening way."

Charles's eyes narrowed instantly. There was no way Gabriel Manifold's possessiveness could stop him. "I will make sure she gets your wish." His response carried some sort of growl in it. He sounded almost like an angered mafia don. Well, the mere thought of Gabriel Manifold was enough to rouse his fury.

Christopher Oxford spoke further. "And, do me a favour and visit me more often. I will be leaving here in three days, so I will be waiting."

"I definitely will." As Charles got up, a small frown came upon his face as a thought dropped. "Father?"

"Yes, son?"

"Mother is actually here in the States. She came in earlier to see me too."

"Oh. Did she now?" The older Oxford didn't look pleased at all.

"When you meet her, tell her Charles said to tell you everything."

The man did not like the sound of that. "Just tell me what has to be said now."

Charles smiled softly. "See you later, Father. I have to go. Enjoy your stay."

"Okay. I will. Take care, son."

Charles liked his father for one thing among others, the man never engaged him in useless arguments.

As Charles walked out of the scented room and into the closest elevator, his mind soon partially forgot about the man he just met.

All he now thought of was Isabella.

Waiting impatiently for the elevator to slide open, Charles wondered if she had gotten to his room yet.

Then, a strange yet exciting thing happened. As the man with the intimidating stance took out his phone to initiate a call, he sensed Isabella.

It was her peculiar scent that tickled his nose and alerted his mind.

Instantly, as he wondered what was going on with him, the doors opened.

And, there she was, standing with a blank look on her face.

But as their eyes met, Isabella's lips wore a smile. That smile made tingles fly inside him, it made him feel good about himself.

Then, as she walked in, a deliciously wicked idea dropped in Charles' mind and he could not ignore how naughty it was.