The next morning El was preparing breakfast as usual when she received Isobelle's text -
'Put on the news'. Turning off the stove, she stepped into the living room and turned on the television.
"Daniel Ford has done it again. Another business launch within six months. This time it's the clothing and apparel industry. Where do you ask? It's in our very own city, South Hills.
According to our sources a launch event will be held soon" The reporter exclaimed.
"With this launch, Daniel Ford has surpassed all other businesses in the country, including that of Dwane Farehya. The notorious animosity between the Ford's and the Farehya's isn't new news to anybody."
Dwane stood beside El and watched the news intently.
The same news was telecasted again.
El casually turned to leave but bumped into Dwane. He held her arm to stop her from falling.
"Careful Miss. El."
She grew anxious with his touch and pulled her hand away. Without saying any word she walked towards the kitchen.
Alec and Dwane were at the breakfast table as Patty served them their breakfast, "Where is El?"
"She left early for work." Patty replied.
The same news about Daniel was telecasting repeatedly catching Alec's attention.
"He has really surpassed us all." Alec said.
"I don't care what he does. I won't stop at nothing to find his daughter."
"I don't have anything against Daniel Ford. It's Michelle Ford who left me at the altar and I plan to make her pay for it. I won't rest until I see her struggling for breath as I strangle her to death."
Alec saw the darkness in Dwane every time he talked about Michelle. His demeanour was threatening enough to make anyone tremble in fear.
"Don't you think Mr. Ford might retaliate against you? He is capable of it now."
Dwane smirked,
"I very well know what he is upto and that would prove to be the biggest mistake of his life." A calm devilish smile crept his face.
"Your days are numbered Michelle." He raised his coffee mug,
"To Michelle Ford's Corpse" Before Alec could reply, he heard his phone beep profusely.
Taking it out he unlocked his phone and scrolled through the notification.
His eyes widened in shock and fury, slowly his face darkened and he harshly threw his phone away.
"What's wrong?" Dwane asked.
Alec was too furious with what he saw to reply.
He had received several messages from many people sending him the same article.
The article titled: 'El Wilson's Sugar-Daddy'
When he clicked on the link the article talked about El's illicit affair with Daniel Ford, it made ludicrous allegations while elaborating the events that transpired at the charity auction, but what caught Alec's and everybody's attention was a photo of El hugging Daniel.
They seemed very close in that picture.
Alec was raging fiercely when his phone beeped again, he knew it was El's text with the specific notification sound.
He took his phone and read her text- 'It's all fake.'
That's it, that's all she said. Her words only infuriated Alec more and he stormed out.
"To Ford's villa." He instructed the driver. On his way he saw the article again and read the comments
'El Wilson is well apt at seducing men to get what she wants'
'Daniel Ford isn't a Nobel family man the way he shows him to be.'
'She seduced Alec Wilson to marry him and now she has found her new richer target'
All the comments riled him up.
In no time, there were several articles coming up with their own theory about Daniel and El's relationship. Almost all of them had similar titles slandering El and Daniel. All but one,
'Mrs Wilson and Daniel Ford's relationship isn't as simple as the media is seeing it.'
Alec clicked on the link, it took several seconds to load but when it did it displayed
-ERROR.
Alec checked again and found all the articles had disappeared. All articles and posts were taken down including the article which speculated that El Wilson was Daniel's real daughter Michelle Ford.
When Alec reached Ford's Villa, he stormed in and saw Daniel, his face was stern yet firm unlike Alec who was extremely agitated.
"I know why you are here," Daniel said.
"I hope you are wise enough to not believe in these ludicrous rumours and you do trust your loyal wife."
Daniel's calm and well articulated words made Alec ponder on El's loyalty.
Deep in he knew she would never cheat on him.
Yet again he had let his frivolous anger get the best of him without thinking everything through.
"I do trust her."
His anger slowly dissipated as he said these words.
"Good, I'd like to believe that you are a sensible husband and won't create trouble for your innocent wife for something she hasn't done. Poor child, she doesn't deserve to go through all this."
Deep Concern was evident in Daniel's expression. The way he talked about El agitated Alec.
'Does he think I'll not trust El and create trouble for her?' His words made Alec see things through El's perspective.
"As for the rumours, I've already taken down all the articles and posts and will soon get to the bottom of it. "
"But, her reputation, the vile comments and speculations people are making about her." Alec was worried about the types of allegations and ridicule El would have to face.
"Don't worry about it Mr. Wilson, I'll clear everything and no one would dare to say a word against her." His voice got fierce and protective when he talked about his daughter.
"I'll do it a day later, when my wife returns."
Alec nodded but was confused with his statement. 'What does his wife have to do with all this?'
"I hope you'll stay by your wife's side no matter what."
"Yes," Alec replied firmly.
"You seem to be a better husband to her than I presumed."
Daniel's words rattled Alec, 'Irrespective of his status, he has no authority to decide what kind of husband I am' he felt a strange need to prove his love towards El to Daniel.
"I'll take my leave." Alec said and left.