Chapter 227: A secret worth 10 million.
The house was still humming with tension ten minutes later when the doctor returned, his face pale, eyes darting nervously. He walked straight to Sienna and leaned down, whispering something that made her brows lift ever so slightly. Sienna’s lips curved into the faintest smile, one that promised trouble.
She looked at Durand Wit with that smile, and he lowered his gaze. Her eyes perused the faces of the rest of his family, and they averted their eyes. This drove home the conclusion that the entire family was in on the secret.
Sienna rose gracefully, motioning her finger at Durand Wit, to step aside with her, "Well, well, well, looks we have something to discuss in private. You can follow me willingly, or we can talk about it here."
Claire Wit wanted to object, but Linera was still holding her captive. She could only shoot daggers with her eyes at Sienna as her son followed her to the kitchen.
Ignoring the raw foods on the counter, and half-cooked ones in the pan whose finish had been cut off when Bea pulled her weapons, she rubbed her palms together.
Fox guards followed them, forming a wall around Durand and her.
Sienna’s voice was low, but sharp enough to cut through Durand’s composure. "I think we both know what the doctor has found," she started slowly, "and we both know that it is going to cost you. You will pay your wife ten million or I will let your secret out for the whole world to know. Which is something you deserve because you are a terrible...terrible person, and so is the rest of your family. My God! you people are possibly the worst I have met so far in all the cases I have overseen."
Durand Wit’s face drained of color. "You can’t make me do that. It is illegal." he hissed.
Sienna’s smile widened. "Can’t I? For starters, your marriage was a fraudulent one because I don’t think your wife knew about your shortcomings. If she did, she would not have endured all that abuse at your mother’s hands. She would not have tolerated your indifference and vile treatment of her. She would have gotten her divorce successfully. Now, I am wielding this secret like a gun to your head. Ten million. Now."
Durand faltered, sweat beading on his forehead. "I..I have to speak to my mother."
Sienna shook her head. "No, mommy’s boy, the time for her to wipe your ass has passed. Simple yes or no."
Durand Wit buried his head in his hands, nodding. Sienna could have sworn that he was starting to cry.
She returned to where she had been sitting, her cup refilled with fresh coffee. Sienna raised it delicately, as though nothing had happened, and addressed Bea. "Good news," she said calmly, "your husband has agreed to pay alimony. One lump sum fee of ten million. Consider it compensation for everything you have endured."
Bea’s eyes widened, tears brimming. Relief washed over her face, mingled with disbelief. Even though she didn’t want the money, she deserved it. Even the matriarch thought so. "Ten million..." she whispered, "I...I don’t know what to say."
Sienna’s gaze softened. "In my opinion you deserve more. You don’t have to say anything. Just accept it. Trust me, you have earned it."
While Bea’s family celebrated, Linera let go of Claire Wit. The woman was already huffing, her claws out, but unable to attack because Sienna was miles above her in rank.
"Before you celebrate," Sienna cut Bea’s family off sharply, "Do not mistake this for freedom. Bea, you are still going to be arrested for this little hold up. And I am sure other crimes will be thrown in there, like the possession of an illegal weapon. You might have to stay in prison for a few months or to two years. If your lawyers are good, you will just get probation. My office will recommend that, but ultimately the decision is not in my hands."
Bea shook her head, "You have done your best for me, I am so grateful to you, matriarch. What you have done is more than enough."
Her mother said, "As long as she leaves Durand, we can accept everything else."
Claire Wit meanwhile, was smirking. Her face lit up with triumph and cruelty. "At last! Some justice--"
Sienna silenced her with a raised hand. "Do not celebrate too soon. The enforcers will continue to investigate the ritual claim. It is a crime that is out of the jurisdiction of my office and out of tribal jurisdiction. This ritual is no trivial matter. If your family is found guilty, no amount of denial or money will save you from paying the consequences."
Claire Wit’s smile faltered, her face paling once more. Her sons shifted uneasily.
Sienna turned back to Bea, her tone gentler. "You will have time to pack. The enforcers are not leaving without you. You and your family should put your luggage together so they can leave with it, that way, you will never have to return to this house. My advice, use part of your alimony to buy a house in another part of the city for a fresh start, whenever your freedom is returned to you."
Before Sienna could say her final words, Bea and her family rushed to the bedroom.
She could be heard shouting, "Matriarch, please wait five minutes. I can pack in five minutes."
It took four minutes! All she had when she appeared again was one medium sized suitcase.
Sienna frowned. "Is that all?"
Bea nodded. "I was not allowed to own anything in this house. Not even my own voice." She bowed her head, gratitude and fear mingling. "Thank you," she said softly, "For giving me time."
Sienna nodded and rose to her feet, with her cup. Enforcers were already moving in, escorting Bea out. The Wit’s were taken into custody, and they screamed their protests as loudly as they could.
Soon, Sienna was back on her ship, Mija coiled at her feet, head in her lap. Linera was watching them, wings folded, eyes sharp.
As the ship lifted into the winter sky, Mija asked with curiosity gleaming in her eyes. "So what was it? What did the doctor say to you? I won’t be able to live if I don’t know the secret. You have got to tell me...please, please, please."
