Zeke's POV

Exiting the Manor mansion, I noticed Ellen shamelessly trailing behind me, several servants carrying her luggage. I quickened my pace. Mr. Rogers opened the car door for me. I entered and angrily shut the door. Before we could move, Ellen approached and tapped on the window.

"If the doors are all closed, how the hell am I supposed to get in?" she demanded.

"Get lost," I snapped, my voice dripping with contempt.

"Isn't it my right to join you home, as your responsibility?" Ellen persisted.

"If you know what's good for you, you'll stay away from me," I retorted, my patience wearing thin.

"Let's go," I instructed Mr. Rogers, sighing heavily.

As the car started, I glanced disdainfully at Ellen as she reluctantly retreated to her own vehicle. The drive home was silent and felt interminable. I needed time to process things.

We arrived at the Reid mansion. As I stepped out, I saw Ellen's headlights in the darkness. I went straight to my study, followed by Mr. Rogers. He started to speak, but I brushed him off with a curt gesture.

"I need to be alone," I murmured, my voice strained.

He paused, but I called him back.

"Mr. Reid?" he said.

"Ensure that when that woman arrives, she is given the smallest room on the ground floor. She is not to go upstairs, touch my food, or enter my kitchen. She may use the laundry if she knows how. Everything she does in this house must be recorded and filmed and sent to me. Is that understood?" I ordered sternly. I wouldn't take any more chances.

Hours blurred as I wrestled with my inner demons. Downstairs, I found Mr. Rogers waiting, a concerned look on his face. "Sir, Miss Ellen is waiting," he said cautiously.

I sighed wearily, running a hand through my hair. "I have nothing to say to her," I said, my voice tinged with resignation. "Keep her away from me."

Mr. Rogers nodded sympathetically. "Of course, Mr. Reid," he murmured, hurrying off.

In the heavy silence of my study, my phone rang shrilly. It was my father. Muttering a curse, I answered.

"Hello, Sir?" I said curtly.

"Zeke, where are you?" my father's voice, filled with concern, crackled through the line.

"I'm home, Sir. What do you want?" My frustration was evident.

After a pause, he said solemnly, "I checked the hospital records. Kamille and the children have been discharged, but no one knows where they are. I need to talk to you."

My heart sank. "Alright," I replied tersely. "Should I come there now?"

"No. I'll be there," he said before hanging up.

He arrived soon after. Why had he left the quiet suburbs to come here? Why involve himself? As he entered, I greeted him. The usually bustling household fell silent. Everyone was on their best behavior—though I knew they would be anyway, except for that sly fox, Ellen.

I urgently instructed Rogers to keep Ellen confined to her room during my father's visit. I didn't want her causing trouble.

"Zeke, what the hell is going on?" my father asked sternly. "Where is Kamille? Why did she disappear?"

"It's complicated, Dad," I began, frustrated. "Kamille found out I was monitoring her and the kids. She wasn't happy."

My father's brow furrowed. "Monitoring her? Why on earth would you do that, Zeke?" he asked incredulously. "You could have simply explained that the security was for her protection!"

I ran a hand through my hair. "I thought something fishy was going on, and she didn't want my help," I admitted reluctantly. "But I'll sort it out. You don't need to worry."

His reaction surprised me. He slammed his fist on the table. "Don't tell me you've got it covered, Zeke," he admonished sharply. "If you did, Kamille wouldn't be living in the shadows like a ghost. The whole world thinks she's dead, and now that she's back, I won't take any chances with her safety, or the safety of my grandkids."

His words hit hard. "I understand, Sir," I replied, my voice tight. "I'll do whatever it takes to keep them safe, I promise."

His expression softened slightly. "You'd better, Zeke," he warned firmly. "I'll give you time, but if things don't improve, I'll have to take matters into my own hands."

"I understand," I replied.

"Good. I'll leave, but I'll be back," he said, rising to leave.

As I escorted him downstairs, a commotion erupted from Ellen's room. My father raised an eyebrow.

Fuck it, Ellen! I thought. You know how to cause a ruckus.

"Don't worry, Dad," I assured him, my voice strained. "It's just a pest."

He pressed for information. "Why don't you just get rid of it?"

"It's really stubborn," I whispered.

He stared at me. "It's Ellen," I admitted reluctantly.

I led him to her room. "What's going on here?" he asked the security guard.

"Miss Manor keeps banging to be let out," he replied.

"Open the door," my father instructed.

"Father," I protested, but he was resolute.

The door opened, revealing a distressed Ellen. Her eyes widened at the sight of my father; she quickly adopted a submissive posture.

"Chairman Reid," she bowed slightly.

"Stop with the act. What are you doing here? Aren't you divorced from my son?" he asked coldly.

"It's not my fault, Chairman Reid. Zeke brought me here," Ellen replied without hesitation. She claimed I'd slept with her and then abandoned her, appealing to my father for justice. "Please, Chairman Reid," she pleaded.

I felt a surge of anger. Pinching the bridge of my nose, I cut her off. "Get back inside," I said coldly.

She reluctantly obeyed; security locked her in.

"Let's go, Sir," I said to my father. He nodded, and we left.

Outside, he turned to me, his expression stern. "And what in heaven's name was that?"

I sighed. "I have everything under control. I'll sort it out soon."

His disappointment was palpable. "Zeke, you really have a lot to do," he admonished, his voice filled with concern. "If you don't handle this properly, I'll step in. And as for Ellen, you have no choice but to take responsibility for her, until proven otherwise."

Ellen wouldn't be free this time.