Niklaus' point of view

"How was the Purge?" I asked, absentmindedly twirling the pen in the grasp of my fingers.

"We got rid of five double agents," Lucas answered.

The Purge was simply an event of removing the spies amongst my guards. My guards were infested with Adam's people so a trap was set to catch those betrayers one after the other.

With the way things were between my father and me, it was obvious I was going to usurp his throne. But then, there had to be a good foundation before construction began.

The only reason Adam had an upper hand over me was that he knew every move thanks to the monitoring from his spies. So now, I had to fish out those rats before carrying out my plans.

"And the men,?"

"We're recruiting men as you instructed"

"As you know, no betrayal is allowed. Watch over them closely, anyone with the highest potential should be planted in my father's guard; two can play at that game.

"Also, carry out step two of the purge. I would not rest until the last of his rats are removed from my guards, do I make myself sense?"

"Yes sir, Niklaus"

"You can leave" I dismissed him.

Adam wanted to play? I'm Game. Speaking of which …

"How's the preparation going?"

"What preparation, sir? " Lucas who had grabbed the doorknob about to leave was called back.

'The engagement party"

"Oh, about that sir. As you requested, we have been looking into it and you can be rest assured, it would be ready before then,"

An excited smile curved my mouth, our engagement party would be a blast.

"Send out more invitations, create more buzz on the internet about the engagement"

"Alright, sir" He bowed and left.

No sooner did Lucas leave the door did a call come into my phone. My face scrunched up noticing the call was from Austin, the head guard. Something must have happened at home.

"What is wrong?" I inquired without hesitation.

"An incident happened at home, it's miss Tina" He replied, which made my heart skip a beat.

Has that evil witch done anything to my daughter? Isabella was low in spirit after that punishment so she wouldn't try anything funny - well, who knows? The girl was full of surprises.

"What happened?"

"Miss Tina went into Isabella's room…"

"Oh, " Was all I said.

There was no need to hear the rest, it was obvious what transpired.

"Where is she?" I sighed, scratching my left eyebrow. Tina sure knows how to cause trouble, I shouldn't have let her stay.

"The Ambulance has taken her to the hospital, I've sent you the address already" Austin was still saying when a notification came into my phone.

"How's Isabella?" I inquired about my daughter, she must be so pissed at me but this was for her good- I'll just look out for her new traps.

"Alive and angry until Miss Tina's incident became a source of amusement to her"

Well, that sounded like Isabella.

"Fine then, make sure to keep a close eye on that girl. Don't be fooled by her sympathetic front and make sure she reflects on her mistakes" I commanded him having known Isabella has mastery over the act of deception.

"Of course, Sir Niklaus"

I hung up the call, stood to my feet, grabbed my blazer, and walked out of my office. I informed Micheal to start the car just as I stepped out of my private elevator leading to the lobby.

Left for me alone, I would not have bothered with that stupid woman but I was bored out of my mind and had nothing to do in the office. Even as close as Amanda was with Isabella, she doesn't dare to enter the girl's room in fear of her life yet Tina went - well, curiosity has finally killed the cat.

Tina, who had no idea how to maneuver around Isabella's bobby traps, walked into her room unprotected and set off all the hidden mechanisms and got injured and now is having a good time in the hospital.

Of course, Tina was moved into a VIP room after her dislocated arm had been shifted back into place and the bruises treated.

"Niklaus, you came" Her face crinkled into a smile upon seeing me.

Somehow I felt guilty but was brisk to kick that emotion to the back of my mind. Tina wouldn't be in this state if she hasn't gone snooping around in other people's rooms; she brought this on herself

"You must be the boyfriend?" The nurse who was adjusting her IV drip inquired.

"No, I'm not" I was quick to reply until I met the nurse's deeply complicated expression and rephrased," I'm the fiancé"

"All the better," she said,

"Your fiancée has not taken anything into her stomach and can't feed with her left hand, so you do the work" The nurse lifted the food from the vanity table, pushing the tray into my arms as if the last place she wanted to be was here - bitchy Tina must have enraged her.

"If she has any discomfort, the intercom's over there. Have a nice day" The taut nurse said and strode out of the room without looking back.

I didn't say anything, whatever happened was between them, none of my business.

"Were you worried about me?" She asked excitedly.

"What do you think?" I asked back, pulling out the seat beside her bed, and sat down with the tray on my lap.

"You can't feed with your left hand?" I snorted derisively, " The

ambidextrous Tina can't handle a spoon?".

Her expression shifted, "Seriously, I'm in this hospital bed because of your daughter-"

"Don't bring Isabella into this" I interrupted her firmly," She absolutely had nothing to do with this. If you had minded your business, you would not be in this hospital bed" I corrected sternly.

Lately, I have become very defensive of my daughter. Aside from me, no one is permitted to berate her.

"I never approved of you going into her room" came my reminder.

"Seriously, Niklaus, I'm sick and tired of your bullshit rules!" Tina finally lose her composure, "We'll be getting married soon, I have every right to get to know my stepdaughter"

"You're so funny Christina," I laughed, "Do you really care about Isabella, or rather you want to use her as leverage to get me?"

Tina was taken about, she bit on her lower lips nervously.

"I don't what you have conjured in that mind of yours but even if we do get married, we'd be divorced as soon as I get inaugurated as the new family head," I informed her of my plans.

Tina went pale instantly and was quick to grab my hand pleadingly, "Where do I go wrong Niklaus? We were so good together before she came, what did I do wrong?"

"What you do wrong?'' I chuckled," When you set her up to be raped, that was when I lost the little love I had for you - that act disgusted me. How could you be so cruel as to do such an inhumane act to a fellow woman because of a man? Even as cruel as I am, I have a moral code of conduct but you?" I shook my head in a disapproving manner.

"If you could do such a heinous crime with the little power you had, what would you now do in my position? Moreover, we had a deal, Christina, our relationship was purely casual and to satisfy our carnal desires - no strings attached-"

"Sure, I understood that but there was always a probability of one of us falling for each other, it just happens to be me" Tina pointed out fiercely.

"I always understood that risk but what I don't understand is the risk of hurting the one I love?!" I spat furiously.

"W-what ?" Tina croaked.

She was as stunned as I was, did I say that out loud?

"You know what? I'm not having this conversation with you" I stood up with the food.

"No Niklaus, wait "

While trying to get my attention, Tina mistakenly hit the glass of water which fell over from the tray and came crashing down after spilling its liquid over me.

"Seriously!" My eyes went wide and furious, "Are you born to make my life miserable?!" I spoke through gritted teeth.

I must have been too harsh on her because Tina cowered away, her head lowered.

"I'm sorry" She mumbled, "The restroom is over there, you can clean up there" Tina directed.

I dropped the tray on the vanity table and left for the washroom. Once I was inside, I pulled off my trousers and held it over the hand dryer to dry.

It took a while but when I was through, I wore my pants and slid my hands into its pockets only to discover my phone wasn't there. Oh right, I must have dropped it on the vanity table.

I wasn't bothered with Tina going through it since she has no idea of my password.

"Why do you look like someone who was caught stealing?" I asked as soon as I returned to the room.

"It's nothing. You just took so long in there that your sudden appearance startled me" she explained.

Well, the hand dryer wasn't exactly an ideal cloth dryer.

Just as I thought, I picked my phone from the table where I had unknowingly dropped it.

"Have a nice day" I announced to her

"You're leaving?" She sounded disappointed.

"Yes, I just came to confirm you were not dead so Isabella doesn't get ridden with guilt, thinking she killed you"

"Fine, whatever. Leave already" Tina leaned back into her bed.

"My pleasure," I said, opened the door, and left for my home since It was evening already.

Micheal was driving home when a call came from Judy and he released news that shook me.

"Sakuzi has Maya"

Again.