The Syndicate's Bride

"What about her? She looks.. humble enough." Kyde spoke, his gaze lingering on a brunette haired lady seated at the corner of the restaurant.

Ezra Whartson slowly placed the menu in her hands down, her gaze landing on the lady Kyde had pointed out. She hummed, her red elegant nails tapping across the table and her slightly wrinkled eyes scrutinising the lady.

"She looks plain, exactly what I want. Give me the papers, I'm heading over." She spoke and Kyde was about to say something but Ezra instantly raised a finger. "And no, you're not escorting me. You'll scare her."

"But–" Kyde tried to talk but Hunter, who had been silent throughout immediately gripped his arm. "She's the boss, listen to her." His voice was stern and his eyes glared hard at Kyde, making the latter sigh before shrugging his hand away from Hunter's grip.

Ezra nodded at the duos before walking over to the lady. Hunter on the hand aggressively made Kyde face him. "How many times have I warned you? When she says 'no', don't say 'but' and when she says 'yes' still no buts!"

Hunter has worked for The Whartons for years now. They were one of the most influential and wealthiest people in the country. No one, absolutely no one dares get on their bad side.

Aside from The Devil himself, Ezra was the most respected amongst the family members. She may look old and frail on the outside, but as they say, never judge a book by its cover. She is ruthless when needed and kind if needed, but, her kind self surfaces on very rare occasions.

Kyde inwardly rolled his eyes. He hates that this man could control him. "Loud and clear."

Hunter raised a brow and Kyde couldn't help but groan inwardly. "Loud and clear boss!"

••

Lizabeth Brown glared at the seven years old boy infront of her. Her cheeks tinted red in slight annoyance and arms folded across her chest. "Sebastian Brown. Why did you follow me here? Infact, how did you even follow me here? and how in the world did you enter a cab? You're just seven years old!"

Seb smiled cutely but seeing that Lizabeth still had that angry look on then decided to pucker his lips and the latter instantly bursted into laughter, throwing a napkin at his face. "Gosh, stop that. You'd be embarrassed if I showed you how you look."

Seb pursed his lips. "So you forgive me now?"

Lizabeth hummed. "I don't have a problem with you coming here, I'm just worried about your sister.. she's sick and you left her home all alone."

Seb inwardly rolled his eyes. 'Sick indeed.'

"Did you say anything?"

Seb immediately shook his head. "No. I wanna join the other kids in the bouncy castle. Can I go momma?" Lizabeth nodded. "But don't get hurt!"

"Yes mom!" Seb replied, but instead of heading outside to join the other kids, he went to the corner of the restaurant and brought out his tablet.

«Mission in progress?»

«Yes. I've got the nylons ready and Corner and his parents are in the car.. going.. and gone! I just need you home now, and did you figure out what time momma will be back from work today?»

«Luckily, very late. I'll sneak off now.»

«You better! I can't do this alone.»

«I'll be there.»

••

Lizabeth sighed tiredly and placed the apron back on. The dark bags under her eyes and her unkept hair showed how extremely exhausted she was. Guess it wasn't easy working as a cleaner and a waitress.

She sighed for what seemed to be the tenth time and began to sluggishly clean the table, but her hands suddenly halted when an old, yet elegant lady suddenly sat at the spot where Seb had been seated. Thinking that she was a customer, Lizabeth instantly lowered her head and apologised immediately. "I'm sorry, I'll just clean this spot and–"

"Sit down." Ezra cut into Lizabeth's sentence making the latter crease her brows.

"But why–"

"Just have a seat."

Lizabeth pursed her lips and slowly kept her cleaning utensils at the corner and sat down, but before she could ask why this woman wanted her to sit, the latter brought out a file placed inside a glossy packet.

"Are you happy being a cleaner?" Ezra asked making the latter furrow her brows, but all the same, she answered. "Who would ever like being a cleaner?"

Ezra nodded. "So what if I said that just by saying the word 'Yes' you could earn yourself two million dollars?"

Lizabeth blinked. "Huh?" Was that even possible?

"I want you to marry my grandson."

Lizabeth: "...?!"

"You want me to.. marry your grandson? But I don't even have an idea of who you are, nor do I know your grandson."

Ezra raised a brow. "You don't? Well that's unusual. I guess I should introduce myself properly then. I'm Ezra Whartson and my grandson? Well, he's Mateo Whartson."

Lizabeth's eyes immediately widened.

Mateo Wharton?!

"You mean that d-devil?" Lizabeth nervously stammered.

••

The temperature suddenly turned suffocatingly cold and everyone couldn't help but unconsciously take a step back in fear.

"So, you dare steal my money?" Mateo Whartson had his back facing the man kneeling down on the floor. His hands were leisurely folded behind his back and his eyes overlooking the bustling road through the floor to ceiling window.

He slowly turned and sat down elegantly in his chair. His expression was neutral, no ounce of anger could be detected.

"Do you know what happens to people who steal from me?" He casually lit the cigarette in between his fingers and placed it in his lips before letting out a long puff. "They die."

The man on the floor immediately began to plead for forgiveness. "Please Mr Whartson, have mercy. I-I only stole the money because of my little girl, she's sic–"

"Kayden, shoot him, right in the head." He instructed and the man named Kayden robotically brought out a gun from his gun holder, pointed it at the man's head and swiftly shot him.

Mateo slowly quenched his cigarette in the ashtray before looking up. His eyes gazing at the terrified people in front of him. "If you do not want to die, don't steal." Was all he said before dismissing the workers.

Deluxe clicked her tongue disappointedly, her eyes gazing down at the dead body. "Your shot wasn't even that good Kayden, I'd have done it better." Kayden, as usual, did not even spare her a glance to talk less of responding.

Rafael instantly bursted into laughter. "Gosh, this is why I love you Kay Kay!"

Kayden's gaze slowly landed on Tiger, his expression stern. "Rafael, I've said it and I'm saying it again, my name is Kayden, not that horrific nickname you made up."

Rafael bursted into another fist of laughter. "Does it look like I give a sh*t? ..Kay Kay?"

"That's it." Kayden snapped and immediately threw a dagger at Tiger, unfortunately he missed which made Rafael instantly crack up. "Ha! Yo–"

"Enough!" Mateo spoke and everyone immediately stood upright. If there was anyone they were afraid of the most, it was Mateo. He was ruthless, emotionless and dangerous, infact, he was the real definition of The Devil!

"Kayden, go see what's happening with the Massimo's. We haven't heard a word from them, I want to know what they're up to."

Kayden nodded and was about to leave but was immediately stopped by Deluxe.

"Mr Whartson.. I want to go with Kayden. I promise to be of useful help." She pouted her lips cutely. Mateo did not spare a look at her duck lips and just waved his hand in the air and the latter immediately skipped out joyfully with Kayden.

Rafael sighed, watching the disappearing silhouette of Deluxe and Kayden. You could see a tinge of hurt and jealousy laced in his eyes.

Looking back at Mateo, he forced a smile. "So what task are you assigning to me?" Mateo's eyes slowly landed on him before his gaze fell back to his laptop. "You're staying with me."

Rafael's lips instantly fell and so did his excitement, staying with Mateo was like walking with a lion and not expecting it to kill you!

'Someone.. anyone.. please help.' He mouthed helplessly.