Gabriel’s world shattered with the plunge of the knife earlier. He felt his life force ebbed away while his vision went blurred. His consciousness flickered like a candle flame. He remembered nothing but Amanda’s screams in his mind as he fell.

The sirens’ wail grew louder, a cacophony of chaos. “BP's crashing!” The young nurse yelled, alerting the doctor who rubbed Gabriel's feet.

The doctor ordered the nurse to apply CPR on Gabriel. The nurse positioned herself beside Gabriel and placed the heel of her right hand on the center of Gabriel's chest, just above the nipple line.

With her palms spread across her face was Amanda trying to hide her tears. She couldn't stop crying since Gabriel was stabbed.

Immediately they arrived at the hospital, the doctor with full knowledge of Gabriel's condition, commanded, “Get him in, now!” His deep male voice rented the air.

Dr. Bryce's firm voice cut through the corridor. “Stab wound, left chest, close to the heart. We need to get him into surgery now!”

The ICU team burst into action by opening the ICU theater. Gabriel's almost lifeless body was pushed in after.

Amanda uttered, “Gabriel, I'm sorry.”

Gabriel managed to open his eyes and locked his gaze onto Amelia's anguished face. He whispered, “You can do it all alone. I trust you. Goodbye.”

His words reverberated in Amanda's ears as she held onto his hands. “Please, don't say that. You will be fine.” Tears streamed down her eyes as she watched his life gradually slip away.

She claimed not to like Gabriel but she couldn't bear to see him at the jaws of death. She had lost her best friend, Sophia, and Gabriel too, on the verge of dying all because of her.

“Get her out!” Dr. Bryce ordered before Amanda was thrown out of the ICU. She picked up her bag and ran out of the hospital in a dash.

“ECG shows ventricular tachycardia.” Nurse Gloria called as soon as she set her on the machines.

“IV access, now!” Dr. Bryce said immediately Gabriel's heart rate flatlined on the screen. Nurse Gloria ensured her right hand was placed on top of her left, with fingers interlaced and palms facing Gabriel's chest.

The operating room's bright lights, Doctor Bryce's urgent voice, and the anesthesia's sweet release happened all at once.

Meanwhile, Richard Saint-Clair sat in his office. He had his eyes glued on the documents before him. Suddenly, commotions outside his office door disturbed his peace.

“Don't let the person in,” he boomed. There was a menacing quality to his words, just as if every syllable of his was laced with poison.

Before he knew it, the door was pushed open by Amanda who hastily made her way in. His security men were behind her, trying to make her leave. He sighed and waved them off.

Amanda moved to Richard's side and his head spun from the slap Amanda bestowed on him. His eyes narrowed and pierced in anger. “How dare you?” He yelled.

“How dare your father? How could you? Do you want to kill my husband? Then, kill me first.” Amanda fumed, her eyes laced with anger.

Richard smirked before he rubbed his left cheek. “Amanda, nice to meet you again. What brings you to my office?” He asked feigning ignorance.

“You are still trying to lie? I know you are Gabriel's business rival. Gabriel has done nothing to wrong you, you just seem to resent him and what was the need for the gunshot.” Amanda demanded as she blessed Richard with another round of slaps.

Richard placed his right palm on his left cheek feeling the hotness of his skin.

His eyes shone brightly as he grabbed Amanda by her shirt. “You useless, deadbeat, and annoying bitch of a lady. How dare you? Are you scared your fake husband is going to die?”

Amanda's world nearly crumbled after Richard’s statement. Tears brimmed her eyes instantly. “What did you say?”

Richard understood what she meant and replied, “You heard me right. Your marriage with Gabriel is fake. I'm so sorry I had to drag you into this but you caused it. Why did you choose to hide under the shade of Gabriel?”

Amanda struggled to free herself from his grip which she eventually did. “If anything happens to my husband, I won't spare you. I will make sure you rot in jail with the rest of your generations.”

Gabriel laughed as he rhythmically clapped his hands. “Really? Then, let's see about that.” He said, grinning at his teeth.

Amanda turned to face Gabriel who was already behind her. “An animal can never stand before me. No matter how smart an animal is, it always succumbs to man’s knowledge. I regard you as an animal while I am a human and Gabriel is the line before us. Let's see who gets to the line first.”

Richard cleared his throat before he chimed. His eyes glowed as well. “Are you so scared that you don’t want Gabriel to die… since you know you won't be able to take revenge for your dead mother?”

Amanda marched towards Richard, she held his arms and turned him to face her. Two rounds of slaps hit Richard. “Don't you dare ever speak of my mother in that manner!” She said as she scurried towards the exit.

“And mind you… A storm is coming.” She added before she exited the office.

Richard used his elbow to wipe his face as he snuffed. He spoke, his voice was sharp and cold, like a blade of ice cutting through the air. “Amanda, you won't expect the rounds of surprises I have for you starting from this moment.”

Amanda's stepsister, Ava, walked into the office. A mischievous smile played on her lips and Richard chuckled.

Ava moved closer to Richard and her lips pressed onto his softly. A moan escaped Richard's mouth as he wrapped his arm around Ava's waist.

Ava pushed him down with a finger to the sofa. “You will do anything for me, baby. I love you.” She said as she carefully opened his shirt's buttons.

Immediately Amanda got out of High-End Fashion House, she brought out her phone and called her loyal bodyguard, Kael.

“What should I do?” She asked as she fell to her knees. “Everything is coming to an end even before it started. Have I made a mistake by coming to Gabriel?”

“Calm down, Mistress. I will inform Mr. Fordham about it.” Kael responded sharply.

“No! He doesn't need to know about it.” Amanda remarked, her words laced with pain.