CHAPTER 152: THE WEAKEST LINK
Timothy Hutchkins sat in his study, eyes glued to his screen as he received the photos from one of his most trusted allies. This was it, the breakthrough he had been waiting for. Seeing them all in one frame like that. It wouldn't be hard to take them out now.
He wasted no time printing the photos. One by one, he laid them out on his desk and sank into his chair, staring at them with a dark glint in his eyes.
But it was her face that made him pause.
Diana.
God, she was beautiful. He'd give James that. Now he could understand what all the fuss about her was for...if only he knew.
The longer he stared, the more something gnawed at him. A pull, right in his chest. He pressed his palm against it, confused by how strong it was. What the hell is this?
His thoughts shifted, becoming darker. His eyes stayed fixed on Diana's image as he slowly leaned back in his chair. Fantasies ran through his head, of having her beneath him, completely his and obeying his every desire as he fucked her senseless. The idea alone made him groan.
Without another thought, he reached into his pants and jerked himself off right there, eyes locked on her photo.
Moments later, after he'd satisfied himself, he cleaned up like nothing happened, calm again, cold again. Then, he reached for his phone and dialed the number of the aide who sent the photos.
Straight to voicemail.
He didn't need to call again to know what had happened.
He looked back at the photos, eyes narrowing at Beatrice standing there with her usual stone-cold expression.
"Well, she must've killed him," Timothy muttered. "James isn't taking chances."
But if he had Diana by his side, he'd be more than careful too.
Still, he wasn't stupid. Beatrice had just moved up on his watchlist. She wasn't just a bodyguard, she was dangerous.
Then he placed another call, this time to an unknown number. A woman picked up.
"Got the job done?" she asked in her usual stern voice.
"I've got photos of everyone close to him now," Timothy replied.
"And his brother?" she asked sharply.
"Who? Jared?" he asked with a small smirk. "I've got him figured out. Taking his pictures won't be hard."
"Don't be stupid," the woman snapped. "Jared isn't one to be underestimated. James trained him personally. Slip up once, and you're dead."
"I know," Timothy said calmly. "I'll be careful."
But truthfully, he didn't care what she said.
He had his plans. Jared was personal.
James may have trained him, but Timothy had been preparing for this moment for years.
And this time, he wasn't going to miss.
"So how do we do this?" Timothy asked, his tone sharp with impatience.
"We start with the weakest," the woman on the other end replied coolly. "Find out who that is in his circle. We'll attack from there."
And just like that, the line went dead.
Timothy stared at the phone, jaw clenched tight as he slowly lowered it from his ear.
This woman… she'd better enjoy her little power trip while it lasted. Because once he was done with the Alfred family; once James had felt every ounce of his revenge — he'd make sure she got a special kind of ending. One so miserable, she'd beg for death.
He reached for the next number on his list and placed a final call.
"Let's begin the survey, Harley. It's time."
"Okay, boss," came the eager response.
A twisted smile curled Timothy's lips. The kind of smile that didn't reach his eyes.
He couldn't wait to see James's face when the chaos began.
After dinner that evening in the Pierce household, Suzanne, Katherine, and Raymond Pierce sat down for a conversation over delectable dessert, while Diana joined her siblings on the porch to chat. They had dragged her out to hear everything about her life especially now.
Jackson, ever the silent one, followed quietly behind. He too wanted to know how she'd really been doing.
Rebecca was the first to speak.
"So, Di, tell us how the man has been torturing you," she said dramatically.
Diana and Jason burst into laughter, while Phoebe rolled her eyes at her elder sister. Jackson just gave a light smile.
"Ignore her, Di," Phoebe said, leaning in. "Tell us how he felt when he found out you were pregnant. I can just imagine how happy he must have been." She grinned widely.
Diana smiled softly and shook her head.
"Well… I didn't get the reaction I was hoping for at first."
That stunned them. No one had expected her to admit that. For the first time, it felt like she was being truly sincere about her marriage. Even Rebecca glanced at her differently.
Jason nodded thoughtfully. "Well, it makes sense. He probably didn't expect it. And honestly, the baby came kind of early."
"Did you guys plan for it?" Jason asked further.
"No, we didn't," Diana replied honestly. "In fact, it just happened."
Jackson clenched his jaw, still watching his sister closely.
"So what happened later?" he asked.
Diana smiled genuinely. "He came to his senses. And now… he's more protective than anyone I've ever met."
Her siblings were all infected by her smile. Even Rebecca's lips twitched slightly.
"You really love him that much?" Jackson finally said. "It's just been three months, Diana."
All heads turned toward him.
"What's wrong with that?" Rebecca snapped, surprising everyone by standing up for Diana.
The siblings stared at her.
"Okay, Jackson, what's going on?" Jason asked, raising a brow.
"Nothing much," Jackson replied with a sigh. "I just want her to be sure she's not making a mistake by carrying that man's baby."
Diana stared at her brother, incredulous.
"Jackson, I don't think that's any of your business. And yes I am sure. Why wouldn't I be?"
"Exactly!" Phoebe agreed. "Took the words right out of my mouth."
Honestly, no one ever truly understood Jackson in that house. He sipped his drink quietly, clearly feeling bad for being scolded.
"Well, I for one can't wait to meet your wife, bro," Diana teased, turning to Jason.
Jason laughed and smirked.
"So now that you're married, I get lectures from you too?"
Diana grinned as Rebecca suddenly stood up.
"Well, I guess this is my cue to leave." She gave a fake smile and turned to go.
But Diana reached out and tugged her back.
"You know, I could introduce you to someone too, Rebs."
The others laughed, but Rebecca was not amused.
Diana hugged her suddenly.
"I love you, Rebs. You know that, right?"
Rebecca rolled her eyes and sneered. "Okay, spill it. What exactly do you need?"
Because Diana never told her she loved her without wanting something in return.
"Nothing much," Diana replied with a playful shrug. "Just saying I love you."
Rebecca stared at her for a long moment before turning and jogging back inside.
The siblings laughed as the evening carried on with warm chatter and gentle teasing. Eventually, they all retired for the night, their hearts just a little lighter.