It was a rare occasion. The Smith family had a whole weekend to themselves to spend as a family...minus the loser Derek.
The whole family was happily shopping around in BDT mall. For the most part, they were looking for suits and dresses for the Quinton Consortium event happening in a week's time.
As Madison walked along the shops in the mall, she noticed that NL Suits and JL boutique were closed for the day.
She already knew, of course. Nick had informed her about his parents' wedding anniversary.
Madison took a peek at the dresses placed at the display window of JL boutique. In her mind, as nice as they were, she was still happy about the yellow gold dress she bought previously.
She was still looking at those dresses that she didn't notice Chloe and Juri approach from behind her and jump scare her.
"Hey Sis! What are you looking at?!?" asked Chloe.
Madison thought she was going to have a heart attack.
"OMG!! What the hell are you two doing scaring me like that!!" Madison retorted.
"Come on. It wasn't that big of a scare. Besides, we are still looking for our dresses. Why don't you come with us?" said Juri.
"Yeah that's a great idea. Ignore those dresses, Maddy. The shop is closed anyway. Let's go to the one ahead. Their dresses look better." said Chloe.
Although Madison didn't want to join them, she didn't want to arouse any suspicion from her sisters either. So she decided to join in.
Meanwhile, at the other side of BDT mall, Madam Louise was alone in the mall's supermarket. Unlike the rest of her family, she decided to do some grocery shopping, which is rare for her.
She had just paid for her groceries and stepped out of the supermarket when she spotted an old friend.
"Dr Crestwell! Dr Crestwell!" Madam Louise called out.
As if the stars were aligned, Crestwell was sent by the Quintons to meet the Smiths. Who knew that Madam Louise spotted him first.
Crestwell turned around and saw Madam Louise approach him.
'OK Crestwell. Your chance for redemption is here. Deep breath. Let's do this." Crestwell thought to himself.
"Madam Louise. It's been some time." greeted Crestwell.
"Yes it has been Dr Crestwell. How is your family?" asked Madam Louise.
"They are fine...and please, just call me Crestwell. I have stopped practicing as a doctor long ago." replied Crestwell.
"Oh? Since when?" asked Madam Louise.
"Since that fateful day, Madam Louise. You know the day I'm talking about." replied Crestwell.
Madam Louise's face soon turned grim. She knew exactly what Crestwell meant. She then took a step closer to Crestwell.
"Listen closely Crestwell. You better make sure you keep your mouth shut about this matter. I still hold all the cards. You and your family are still not safe."
"If I can go to such lengths as getting rid of my own son and daughter in law, for not listening to me and adopt a piece of trash like Derek, imagine what I would do to you and your family." warned Madam Louise softly. She didn't want anyone around her to hear her.
"How could you do such a thing?" asked Crestwell.
"I told them not to adopt children. Who knows where they came from; but they refused to listen to me. They even said they will give their lives to protect that loser....well they got their wish."
"And in case you think I'm playing around, the maid who injected the poison into their fatal meal tried to report me to the authorities. We caught her before she could do so and now she's dead along with Edward and Emma." replied Madam Louise.
Crestwell's fists were balled up so tight, his fingernails almost cut his palms.
If he could, he would have beaten up Madam Louise on the spot.
However, he remembered that he was on assignment from Derek, so he kept his nerves in check and continue to act his role.
"So this is still between you and me. I'll do my part and keep my lips sealed" said Crestwell.
"Good. Make sure you keep it that way." replied Madam Louise.
"One question I have though....what happened to Derek?" asked Crestwell.
"You don't have to worry about that loser. We kicked him out of our family a month ago. Who cares where he is now. Let him rot for all I care. Now if you'd excuse me, I'm going to meet my family." said Madam Louise nonchalantly.
"Very well. See you again soon." said Crestwell.
"Hopefully not so soon." replied Madam Louise before walking away from Crestwell.
As she walked away, Crestwell took his phone and sent a message to Derek.
'Did you get all that, Derek?' Crestwell typed.
Ten seconds later, Crestwell's phone chimed. He read the message, sent from Derek.
'We recorded and downloaded everything she said. Job well done, Crestwell. Your work ends here. Dispose of the bug mic before leaving the mall. We will make arrangements to move you and your family to the condo. Tonight.'
After seeing Derek's message, Crestwell surveyed his surroundings to make sure no one from the Smith family was watching him. He then discreetly removed the microphone from under his collar and disposed it in the nearest dustbin he could find.
Turning away from the dustbin, Crestwell saw the entire Smith family at the entrance of the mall and heading to the car park.
Crestwell could not help but mutter to himself.
"Louise Smith! Your grip over me and my family comes to an end today. You are an evil b**** who deserves to rot in hell. Jail is too good for you."
"You think you hold all the cards? Hah, you just lost the whole deck...not to me, but to the person who you called a loser. That's right, Derek is a Quinton; but you will never know that until it's too late."
"Derek Quinton, I can't wait to see you bring her to justice. This has been a long time coming. I thank you and your family for your magnanimity. If you ever need me, I'll be there."
After getting that off his chest, Crestwell exited BDT mall to meet up with his family. They need to pack up fast. They are moving to the Townsville Hillside Condo.