Chapter 5 - AN UNEXPECTED OFFER

Cindy was left alone in the park. It was dark and getting late and she felt scared. She couldn't understand what had happened and didn't know how to help me. The only  thing she could do was to talk to Dr Brent. She decided to go to his office, but she arrived at an inconvenient moment, just when he was leaving with Sharon. Cindy couln't believe her eyes: her own aunt and her father's friend were holding hands and getting into his car. She was helpless and confused. She could only hope I wouldn't be in danger.

In the meantime, I had been taken to a derelict house on the outskirts of the city. When I came round, I found myself in a cellar where my captors showed me some photographs of me. I took a close look at them. To my horror, in one of the photos, I was in Mr Taylor's study, standing by his desk and forcing the top drawer open. Another picture showed me stealing something from it.

I swear it wasn't me. They were fake photographs used for damaging my reputation. I didn't know what reasons these men actually had, but this time I was really in great trouble.  

'Well, I'm afraid Edward isn't here,' Cindy shouted.

I was hidden among some bushes, watching them and feeling fear for her. Suddenly, a tall man wearing a mask came from behind me, grabbed hold of me and led me to Cindy.

'Of course, he's here,' he replied in an angry voice. 'We're here to tell you the truth, Cindy. He's deceiving you. He's been going out with Doctor Brent's daughter.' Finding it difficult to understand what she had just
heard, her eyes filled with tears.

'I'm so sorry, darling,' I said. 'Please, don't cry. I didn't want to do it. I was forced by Charlotte in exchange for her help. Forgive me, I beg you.'

Cindy believed me, which made the two men very angry. 'Who are you?' she asked. The tall man took off his mask. It was the Taylors' butler!

'Why are you doing this?' asked Cindy.

'To protect you and your family,' he explained. 'He's a liar! All he wants is your money!'

'It's not true! Edward loves me!' she shouted.

He wouldn't listen to her. Both men took me by the arms and dragged me to a black car. As soon as we got in, they hit me on the head and I fainted. I never knew where they really drove me to.