Chapter 8

Melinda's eyes widened as she read the news on her phone. Derek had been arrested.

"How is this possible?" She asked as her eyes bulged.

She knew exactly who was behind this - Sylvester. She had to confront him. "Why had he done that?" She asked herself.

She knew that they were friends from the judge of things and they had a misunderstanding but putting him in jail was just too extreme.

She walked out of her room and down the opulent hallway, her footsteps echoing off the marble floor. Melinda's eyes scanned the area, her jaw clenched in determination.

"How in the world am I going to find Sylvester in this huge place?!" Her voice resounded across the walls but just then, she hears footsteps and she turned to face the direction where the footsteps was coming from.

Her heart surged with relief to see that it was Albert, at least he could help her find Sylvester.

"Excuse me, Albert," she said, her voice firm but controlled.

Albert turned to face her, his expression neutral. "Yes, miss?"

"Where is Sylvester?" Melinda asked, her eyes narrowing slightly.

Albert hesitated for a moment, sensing a hint of anger in her tone. "Is everything okay, miss?" he asked, trying to sound concerned.

Melinda's expression didn't change, but her voice took on a slightly sharper edge. "Just show me where he is, Albert."

Albert nodded, deciding to ignore the undertone of anger. "Of course, miss. Mr. Sylvester's office is just down the hall, third door on your left."

Melinda nodded curtly and strode off in the direction Albert had indicated. He watched her go, his eyes narrowing slightly. Something was amiss, but he knew better than to pry. His duty was to serve, not to question.

As Albert turned to continue his duties, he couldn't shake the feeling that a storm was brewing. Melinda's anger was palpable, and he wondered what had sparked it. He hoped that Mr. Sylvester was prepared for the confrontation that was about to ensue.

Melinda paused for a moment as she reached Sylvester's office door, her hand on the handle. She took a deep breath, collecting herself before entering.

Melinda stormed into Sylvester's office, her phone still clutched in her hand. "What kind of man puts his own friend in prison?" she demanded.

Inside, Sylvester looked up from his desk, a flicker of surprise on his face. "Melinda, why are you here?" he asked.

Melinda's eyes flashed with anger. "You know why I'm here," she said, her voice low and steady.

Sylvester leaned back in his chair, clasping his fingers together. "I assume this has something to do with Derek's arrest," he said, his voice calm.

Melinda's eyes narrowed. "You had no right to do that," she said, bitterness lacing her voice. "I thought that you both were friends Sylvester."

"Derek stopped being my friend when he betrayed me," he said, his voice even. "He broke into my house, vandalized my properties. He's lucky I didn't press harder for charges."

A cold expression crossed Sylvester’s face. "Derek betrayed me, Melinda. He broke into my house, vandalized my property. He's lucky I didn’t press more charges."

Melinda's face twisted with hatred. "You're using this as an excuse..."

Melinda's mind reeled. She hadn't known about the break-in, but she couldn't believe Sylvester would stoop so low. "You did this for me?" she asked, her voice shaking.

Sylvester nodded. "If Derek was still roaming free, he could harm you, Melinda. I won't let that happen."

Melinda felt a chill run down her spine. She didn't know what to say, what to think. Sylvester's words made sense, but she couldn't shake the feeling that he was manipulating her.

"Go back to the room my butler prepared for you," Sylvester said, his voice softening. "Are you enjoying your stay there?"

Melinda nodded silently, still trying to process everything. She turned and walked out of the office, her mind racing with thoughts and doubts. She felt trapped, caught between her loyalty to Derek and her growing feelings for Sylvester. As she entered her room, she couldn't help but wonder what other secrets Sylvester was hiding.

Melinda's thoughts swirled as she paced back and forth in her room. She couldn't believe Derek was in prison, and that Sylvester was behind it. She felt torn between her anger towards Sylvester and her gratitude for his supposed protection.

As she walked, her eyes fell on the luxurious decor of the room. The plush carpet, the marble fireplace, the lavish bed. It was all so opulent, so extravagant. She felt like a prisoner in a gilded cage.

Melinda stopped pacing and looked out the window. The gardens below were beautiful, but she felt trapped, unable to escape. She thought about Derek, sitting in a cold, dark cell. She had to do something.

But what?

The moment Melinda left the room, Sylvester's phone rang loudly. He picked it up from his desk and answered the call.

"Yes?" he said, his voice cold and stern.

"Sir, I have to inform you that Derek has got a lawyer and they're trying to get him out of prison," a voice said.

Sylvester's eyes filled with rage. "What?!" he bellowed, his voice echoing through the room.

"I'm sorry, sir," the voice said. "But we think they might be able to get him released on bail."

Sylvester's face turned red with anger. "This will not happen," he said, his voice low and menacing. "I don't care what you have to do, but Derek needs to stay in prison. I don't care what it takes."

The voice hesitated. "Yes, sir. We'll do everything we can."

Sylvester slammed the phone down on his desk, his eyes still burning with anger.

Sylvester's mind raced with thoughts of how to keep Derek behind bars. He couldn't let him get out and potentially harm Melinda or disrupt his own plans.

He pressed a button on his desk, summoning his assistant. "Get me the prosecutor on the phone," he barked. "Now."

His assistant scurried out of the room, returning moments later with a nervous look on his face. "The prosecutor is on the line, sir."

Sylvester snatched up the phone. "This is Sylvester. I hear Derek is trying to get out on bail. I want you to make sure that doesn't happen."

The prosecutor's voice was hesitant. "I'm not sure I can do that, Sylvester. The law-"

Sylvester cut him off. "I don't care about the law. I care about keeping Derek in prison. Do whatever it takes."

There was a pause on the other end of the line before the prosecutor spoke up. "Understood, Sylvester. I'll take care of it."

Sylvester slammed down the phone, his anger slightly appeased. He would stop at nothing to keep Derek out of his life and away from Melinda.