Nine months too late: After divorce

Sylvie heard a glass shattering in her head. Her lips parted in surprise, and her head throbbed.

"I think you'll very much want to know," he added.

It took Sylvie a moment to gather her thoughts.

"What difference will it make?" She licked her suddenly dry lips. "It's not like I can take the knowledge from Kage. He knows already and hates me for it."

"True. But I think it's important you know, Sylvie."

There was a momentary silence. Sylvie couldn't deny it. For years, she's been curious to know how Kage had gotten hold of the recording. It was a mystery that always unnerved her. "Well, I just thought you'd want to know. It's really up to you, though." Lancelot said. "But I'll text you the time and location, incase you change your mind."

The call ended.

She remained frozen for some seconds, the phone dangling in her hand. Why did she have a feeling that this revelation might deeply hurt her?

"Why are you just standing there!? You're not here to lazy around, Sylvie!" Tasmin's harsh voice snapped her to the present.

She turned around to find the woman glaring at her from the door.

"I don't tolerate such behaviors during work hours, young woman! You're much aware that phones aren't allowed during production!"

Everyone in the room looked at Sylvie who tucked the phone into her jean pocket.

"I'm sorry," she mumbled, going to join the others.

**********

June glanced around the hallway, making sure there was no one in sight.

Her cousins were at the office, and the others weren't home.

She opened the door and hurried into the room.

"I'm in." She said to the person on her video call.

"Okay. Let me see the safe." The man replied, throwing more chips into his mouth.

Flipping the camera, June showed the safe to him. "Do you think you can hack it?"

"Nothing is unhackable, Juney. Not when I'm involved, at least."

She rolled her eyes. She watched as he typed rapidly on his keyboard, at the same time, she listened for the sound of approaching footsteps.

She was certain that Astrid's 'lucky' sketchbook was somewhere in her room. The previous day, she'd searched every corner of the room but couldn't find it. She noticed the safe, and something in her guts told her the book was there. She couldn't let Astrid win this. She's greatly impressed their grandfather and was probably at the top of his list at the

wed,

moment. She couldn't let her ascertain such height and bonus.

0

The contract was to be signed today, and perhaps, there would be a problem if the designs in question were missing.

June's lips twisted in a smile. She couldn't begin to imagine the fear on Astrid's face when she can't find the book. Galen would definitely be disappointed, and well... it'd be chaos from there on.

"How's it going?" She snapped at the man who was still busy on his computer.

"Patience, Juney..." he drawled, his eyes focused on his system.

"Well, just in case you haven't noticed, this isn't my room, neither is it my safe. Otherwise, I wouldn't be needing you to hack it, right?"

"I get. But I thought you said everyone was away from home?"

"I know what I said. Just hurry up, damn it!" She growled.

Her eyes darted around the room. There were still maids in the house, but none of them had seen her enter the room. Everything might seem to be in her favour, but June didn't want to take any chances. Anything could happen, and if Astrid- or worse, her grandfather- found out she did this, she'd be dead.

Minutes passed with the hacker asking her for some details.

"Got it!" He finally said, clapping his hand..

June's heart skipped. Slowly, she tried opening the safe, and... it opened.

"Oh, my God! You're a genius, Ty," she shook her head.Content property of NôvelDra/ma.Org.

"Seriously? You just realized? Now, I'm hurt." He placed a hand on his chest with mock pity.

June's eyes beamed when she found a sketchbook in the safe. She set her phone down and began flipping through the

pages.

Her eyes widened in shock. How in God's name was Astrid able to come up with these? The designs were... genius!

She knew her cousin. They've been working together from young. Astrid wasn't this creative.

But this had to be it. These must be the designs that got her the contract.

A smile crossed her lips. Wasting no further time, she picked up her phone and slipped out of the room.

**********

Astrid was having one the best days of her life.

After successfully signing the deal with Timeless Tale, she went shopping with some of her friends, bills on her. After that, they had a spa day, then rounded the day with a few drinks in a bar.

"I don't think I've ever seen you this happy, Astrid. What's the secret?" One of her friends asked in the bar.

Astrid laughed, taking a swig from her glass. "Well, what can I say, honey? I've been lucky."

She was careful not to get too drunk as it was something her grandfather hated, especially when they had to go to the office the next day.

She hummed a song as she walked into the living room and met June, filing her nails while watching a movie.

3

"Hm. You seem happy," June noticed.

"Of course, darling. Do you hate it?" Astrid asked with a mocking smile, taking slow steps towards the staircase.

"Why should I? It's not my business if you're happy or not, Astrid."

Getting to to the start of the staircase, Astrid paused and suddenly turned back to June.

"You know, it feels better when you get to impress Grandpa with your personal efforts, and not because you're engaged to a certain man." She narrowed her eyes. "There is just...a certain pride that comes with it, you know?" June stopped filing her nails, staring fully at her.

Astrid made a pout. "But I guess you can't fully comprehend it, darling. The only time you get to please grandpa is when you're talking about Lex's achievements."

Usually, June would've lashed out. Instead, she bursted out laughing. It surprised Astrid who wiped it off as quickly as she could.

"You're so hilarious, cousin." June said, going back to filing her nails. "Well, I'm in a good mood today and won't be needing you to ruin it. So, please, shoo!"

Rolling her eyes, Astrid left, her laughter ringing behind her. June could pretend all she wanted, but she knew her words must've hurt her.

As soon as she reached her room, she happily opened her safe to take out the sketchbook. Her lucky book. Her trophy Her heart raced with anticipation. With the contract finally signed, she'd be kicking off on the designs the following day. Her smile faded when she opened her safe and found it empty. Clean.

Astrid froze immediately, the scene replaying in her head.

There had only been one item in the safe which was the sketchbook. And it was....gone?

What the hell!?