Emily and Rodriguez drove off early, determined to reach the investors' office before anyone else.
The sun has not started to rise,
Emily's mind was preoccupied with thoughts of the meeting.
As they reached a pathway, Rodriguez suddenly slammed on the brakes, making Emily's heart leap into her throat.
"What's wrong?" she screamed...
Rodriguez's face was pale, his eyes fixed on something ahead.
"Look," he whispered, pointing to the investors' office building.
Emily's eyes followed the direction, and her blood ran cold. The office was in shambles, the windows shattered.
"Emily got down in a hurry,and Rodriguez followed her at the back.
And on the ground, a trail of blood led from the entrance to a nearby alleyway.
"Oh my God," Emily breathed, her hand covering her mouth in horror.
Rodriguez's gaze was scanning the whole place in shock.
"It looks like we're too late." He said.
Without a word, Emily threw open the door and rushed towards the office, her heart beating so fast. Rodriguez followed close behind, his eyes scanning the area for any signs of danger.
As they approached the investors door step,
Emily's eyes widened in shock.
The investors' bodies were laying dead in the room, their limbs twisted, their faces in perpetual terror. Blood splattered the walls, the floor, and the furniture, creating a horrible scene that would haunt anyone's dreams forever.
Rodriguez's hand grabbed her arms, pulling her back. "Emily, we need to get out of here. Now."
But Emily's feet seemed rooted to the spot, her gaze fixed on the butchery before her. She felt a loud scream building up in her throat, but it refused to emerge, trapped by the horror that gripped her heart.
Without a word, Rodriguez pulled Emily away and towards the car, his eyes scanning the surrounding area for any signs of danger.
As they drove away, Emily's mind raced with questions.
"Who could have committed such a heinous crime? And why? The investors were wealthy and influential, but they had no known enemies. Her hands glue to her chin.
Rodriguez's voice broke the silence...
Mrs Emily, do we need to report this to the authorities. Now.?"
Emily nodded, still in shock. "Yes, yes, of course."
He revised the car And drove to the police station.
As they approached the police station, Emily's thoughts turned to August. She had to warn him. Inside the station, Emily and Rodriguez recounted their grisly discovery to the officer on duty.
The officer's expression turned grim, and he quickly dispatched a team to the crime scene. As they waited for the police to take their statements.
Emily's eyes widened in horror, returning to the ranch as she gazed upon the burning ranch. Flames engulfed part of the buildings, and smoke billowed into the sky. Fresh tears escaped through her eyes.
She rushed towards the chaos, her feet pounding the ground.
"August!" she screamed, her voice hoarse with panic.
August turned, his face smutched with soot, his eyes reddish from the smoke.
"Hey, have been calling you,but you were not responding."
Before August finished his statement...
Emily flung herself at him, grabbing his collar, her body mixing with the ash and sweat on his face.
"You did this!" she accused, her voice shaking with rage. "You and Jake, you're behind this, aren't you?"
August's eyes widened in shock, his face contorted in a mixture of pain and disbelief.
"Emily, no! I can't believe you think of me this low,I'm trying to put out the fire! Have you thought of who called the fire fighters? I did,I didn't start it, I swear!"
Emily's grip tightened, her nails digging into his skin. "Liar!" she spoke, her anger and fear boiling over. "You're trying to destroy everything I have, everything my family has worked for!. Please let me be". Frustration filling her voice.
The firefighters rushed to intervene, pulling Emily's hands from August's collar.
"Ma'am, please, you need to stay calm. one of them urged, his voices firm but gentle.
Emily stumbled back, her eyes never leaving August's face. Her look clouded by suspicion and fear.
"Did this, his responsible,I put it on you that you and your family caused dis this." Her eyes, raging with hatred. I can't trust him, not now, not ever."
The firefighters finally extinguished the flames,
Emily's anger and suspicion boiled over. She turned to August.
"You think I didn't know?" she spat, her voice venomous. "After threaten me, and now this fire? Why not at your own ranch? You're trying to destroy everything I have, everything my family has worked for!"
August's face was a picture of shock and disbelief. "Emily, no! I swear I know nothing to do with this! It's just a coincidence, a terrible accident! I don't know who is feeding you with such lies."
Emily's laughter was bitter.
"A coincidence? You expect me to believe that? Do you think bringing the firefighters will ease the suspicion. Always using money to cover your tracks."
"The Flynns have been trying to take our land for years, and now this? It's too much of a coincidence!".
The ranch hands gathered around, watching the scene.
August's face was red with anger and frustration. "Emily, listen to me! I would never do something like this! I care about you, about your family, about this ranch! I'm trying to help you, not hurt you!". His voice very loud..
Emily's voice filled with sarcasm.
"Help me? By setting fire to my ranch? By threatening me and my family? No, August, you're just like your family.You're a liar, a cheat, and a thief! You're no better than Jake!"
August's face twisted in anguish.
"Emily, please! You have to believe me! I would never hurt you or your family! I swear it in my life!"
Emily's voice was stern.
"Stay away from me, August.. stay away from my ranch. If I see you or any of your family near here. I will make sure you regret it. You'll regret the day you ever crossed me. Her fingers pointing towards his face in rage.
August's eyes fell, his shoulders slumping in defeat.
"Okay, Emily. I understand. I'll stay away. But please, ensure to find out the truth, I would never hurt you."
"Stay away, August. Stay away from me and mine. Or face the consequences."
Rodriguez stepped forward, after watching from a distance.
"Emily, that's enough. His voice filled with concern. "You're upset, and you need to take a step back."
Emily struggled against his grip, her eyes blazing with anger.
"Let me go, Rodriguez! I need to make sure he understands"
Rodriguez held her firm, his voice soft but firm. "Emily, stop. You're not thinking clearly. Let's just go inside and calm down."
Emily's struggles weakened,Rodriguez gently led her away from August, leaving him standing alone,
August eyes fixed on them,till they disappeared. He ran his hands through his hair. Shaking his head in regret.
"Who is behind this? He thought aloud.
"Who is trying to sabotage the ranch and tear us apart?".
"I swear I will find out who's doing this. I'll catch them and make them pay. I hope my family is innocent of the crime. Cause I have a strong feeling they contributed to this."
August POV
August slipped out of the house, at midnight. His face set in determination to end the crisis at once. He dressed on a black hoodie,a baseball cap resting on his head.
As he reached the edge of the house,he paused, looking back at the house. The windows were dark, the only sound heard is the noise of crickets and the soft rustling of leaves in the breeze.
As he turned to leave just then, a figure emerged from the shadows, Jake's tall stature looming in the darkness.
"August, where are you going?" he called out, his voice suspicious.
August startled,holding his chest.
"None of your business, Jake. Just stay out of my way."
"I'm aware you're likely heading to see that naive girl. Let me remind you that I've warned her to steer clear of our family's affairs. If she refuses to listen, she'll have to deal with the consequences, which will come directly from me." He sneered.
August's face twisted in anger.
"I know you are responsible for the fire outburst that occurred at Whispering Creek ranch, I'm doing my investigations and if I discover you are part of it. I will send you to meet your ancestors."
August warned his face burning in rage..
Jake sneered, his face twisted in a snarl.
"What will you do? You'll defend her? You're just a fool, August. You think you can take on me and our family? We'll crush you both."
Jake sneered, his face twisted in a snarl. "Or what? You'll defend her? You're just a fool, August. You think you can take on me and our family? We'll crush you both."
August's eyes flashed with anger, his voice low and even.
"Jake, I warn you, don't try threatening Emily again. She's not afraid of you, and neither am I. Your immaturity is showing, and it's disgusting."
"You are making a mistake, August.You are beginning to cross lines that you will regret."
"I will do what's right,no matter what our family do to stop us". He replied,
With that he turned and disappeared blending with the darkness.
Jake watched him. His gaze,dangerous.
August approached the ranch, his eyes scanning the surroundings with caution. The silence was scary, the only sound heard was the noise of his feet
He moved stealthily, his footsteps light, trying not to be noticed.
As he drew closer to the ranch, No sounds of livestock, no rustling of leaves, no distant hum of machinery.
August's heart raced with anticipation, his senses on high alert. He crept closer, his eyes scanning the ranch.Suddenly, he heard a faint rustling in the distance.
August's head snapped towards the sound.
He held his breath, his eyes fixed on the spot, waiting for the slightest movement.
He whispered to himself. "I'm going to catch you, whoever you are."
August stood at that particular spot for what felt like an eternity, his eyes fixed on the spot where he had heard the rustling sound.
But as the time passed by, the silence remained unbroken. No one showed up, no movement, no sound.
As hours passed by,he didn't see anything or anyone August realized that his stakeout had been a bust.
With a sigh, he slowly got up from his hiding spot, his muscles stiff from the prolonged squatting.
He stretched his arms and legs, shaking off the disappointment. As he made his way back home in disappointment.
By the time he reached his front door, the clock read 3 PM. August let out a deep breath,
" l feel like I have wasted an entire day". He shrugged and went in feeling a bit of disappointment.
Rodriguez POV
The sun had barely risen,when Rodriguez arrived at Emily's ranch, holding a letter,August's handwriting was unmistakable,
August handed Rodriguez a sealed envelope, his eyes serious.
"Please give this to Emily. It's important."
Rodriguez nodded, his face neutral.
"I'll make sure she gets it."
"Thank you.''August said and turned to leave.
Rodriguez couldn't help but feel a hit of curiosity, As He opened the envelope and pulled out the letter, his eyes scanning the contents. As he read, his expression turned serious.
August vowed to catch the saboteur, no matter what it took? He was investigating, and he would stop at nothing to get the real culprit.
And then, his eyes landed on the final sentence. August's confessing his love for Emily.
Rodriguez's face twisted in disgust.
"Foolish boy", He muttered..before a blink,he tore the letter into shreds, the pieces fluttering to the ground.
Emily's voice was laced with suspicion,as she approached Rodriguez.
"Rodriguez, who were you talking to? You've been away for a while, and I think the cattle's food is almost finished."
Rodriguez's eyes darted wildly, his mind racing searching for a plausible excuse.
"Ah, yes... I was, uh, looking for my wallet," he stammered, his smile faltering.
Emily's gaze widened, her expression skeptical. "Your wallet?" she repeated, her tone laced with disbelief.
Rodriguez's smile grew wider,
"Yes, my wallet! I was, uh, worried I'd lost it. But, ta-da! I found it!" He held up his wallet, waving it freely in the air.
Emily rolled her eyes, her expression stern.
"Well, that's great, Rodriguez. But what about the cattle food? What plans are you making for it.?
Rodriguez's smile disappeared, his eyes gazing nervously towards the ground.
"Ah, yes... the food. Well, I was... uh... going to call them next."
Emily's eyes shining in disbelief, her voice firm. "Rodriguez, I've taken care of it.I've already called the supplier, and we've booked a space. The food will be here in three days' time.so just focus on getting the ranch record sales."
Vincent pov
Vincent stood in front of his large window, gazing out at the darkness,as he sipped from a cup of red wine. The liquid glowed like blood in the dim light.
"Soon," he whispered to himself, his voice low
"Soon, it will all be mine. The ranch, the land, the cattle... everything."
He took another sip of the wine, his lips displaying a cruel smile.
"August and Emily think they can stop me," he continued, his voice dripping with malice.
"But they have no idea what I'm capable of. They have no idea of my plans."
He raised the cup to his lips again, gulping slowly and deliberate, as if savoring the moment.
"The waiting is almost over," His voice barely audible. "The time for action is at hand. And his thoughts consumed by visions of wealth and power. Imagining the profits, the riches, the glory.
"I will be the greatest rancher this land has ever seen, since is only the Flynns and Wilson that had been the most successful." He thought to himself,
"I will make a fortune, a fortune that will last for generations. I will be the one who controls it all, who holds the power and the wealth. No one dares to compete with me cause I will be eliminating Flynn's family."
He dropped the remainder of the wine slowly in the ground.
"This is how your blood will flow." He thought aloud celebrating the future.
Emily's POV
As Emily and Rodriguez strolled down the ranch. Discussion issued between;
"Guess what!. "I'm making plans to hand the ranch over to the lawyers and let them handle it,"
Rodriguez's eyes widened, his face pale. "What? No, that can't happen. You can't let them take over."
Emily's expression turned cold." Why shouldn't I?"
"NO... sorry for the outburst. I was just shocked that you think so smart". He stammered.
"Watch me,I'll do whatever it takes to protect this ranch, even if it means handing it over to the lawyers. And if you're not in agreement, then maybe you're not as committed as you claim to be."
"No who said that, I'm in agreement with any of your decisions, Mrs Emily". Rodriguez defended.
When do you plan to meet with the lawyers? You know we need to plan fast."
Rodriguez's eyes anticipating an answer.
"I haven't fixed a date yet, but I'm thinking of going soon. Before the predators will cause more harm." Rodriguez gave a persuasive smile.
"Ah, Mrs Emily, I understand your urgency, but let's not rush into this. Why don't we schedule it for next week? That way, we can make sure everything is in place."
Emily raised an eyebrow, her expression skeptical. "Next week? But what if the saboteur strikes again before then?"
Rodriguez's smiled. "The saboteur is planning a big move next week. If we wait until then, we can catch them off guard and use the lawyers to our advantage.if we time it right."
Then who could the intruder be?" she asked, her voice firm.
Rodriguez shrugged, his expression innocent.
"I have no idea, Mrs Emily. I've been keeping an eye,but I haven't seen anything suspicious."
"Really?" She asked. "Because it seems like you're hiding something, Rodriguez. You must have seen something."
Rodriguez held up his hands, his face playing innocence.
" I haven't seen anything. But...I do suspect the Flynns. Yes, August and Jake I think they're always up to something."
Emily's sigh, her expression unsure.
"Yes, but it's possible there's a third player in the game, someone else who's also after the ranch."
Rodriguez's face turned serious....
"Don't be so sure to judge,People can surprise you. And I think the Flynns are hiding something."
"Fine!! Just get back to work. And keep watching"
Emily spoke. And walked out.
Rodriguez nodded, his eyes never leaving Emily's figure.