“Burn those who burned me!” Chapter 146

**Chapter 18: Four months later.**

James Watson stared at his screen for several minutes looking at the latest grand opening of a Gallery. Over the past four months there had been several grand openings for restaurants and galleries that was causing buzz throughout the Eastern Region. High praises regarding the building often unique architectural designing had become the talk of the town. With each launch, many couldn’t wait to see what new creative sets would be thought of next.

James smiled smugly, he knew the board had been upset with Joshua about his firing of their original architectural firm. This would be the push they needed to demote Joshua as CEO and appoint him. FINALLY, Watts-Corp would be his; all he had to do was find the designer responsible...Elizabeth Bowen.

*“Spencer…I want you to find out everything you can about this new architectural designer Elizabeth Bowen and bring it to me.”*

*“Yes sir.”*

As James’ assistant left his office, James felt a certain satisfaction. Even with all the buzz going on about the new designer, Joshua made no efforts to try and locate her. For the past several weeks after the grand opening of the Imperial Gallery, James worried Joshua would find and hire Bowen. But after trailing him for the past several weeks, there were no such efforts made. He wasn’t even trying to locate her.

*“Oh little nephew…your arrogance will be your downfall. Even your grandmother won’t be able to save you once I sign Elizabeth Bowen.”*

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***“You were right boss. He’s looking into her now.”***

***Joshua’s assistant Travis Cross handed him a folder filled with documents. Each containing possible information on Elizabeth Bowen.***

***“He’s probably going to try and poach her before you do in order to turn the board.”***

***Joshua smiled cooliy. He wasn't concerned at all about his uncle poaching Elizabeth. He already knew who she was….Josie Taylor.***

***“Let him try…this should be fun.”***

***Cross smiled slightly, he knew his boss loved a good challenge. The treasure hunting game had now begun, the prize….Elizabeth Bowen.***

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Since leaving the estate four months ago, Christian had tried locating her several times with no success. The only thing he was able to confirm was that she attended all of her therapy sessions as well as her probation appointments. He’d had one of his assistants keeping track of her until her final day of probation. Now that it was over; he had no clue where she was or WHO she was staying with.

*“Are telling me she’s fallen of the face of the earth!”*

**“N-No sir…but we can’t find her. Maybe she-”

“I don’t want you got damn maybes!!! Find her!”

*Christian barked his orders at his assistant before throwing him out his office. For the past several weeks his father grew concerned about Josie possibly telling others the truth on why she went to prison. Rubbing his temples, he opened up the recent files on Lawrence Tillman.*

*Christian had been tracking Tillman for months; however, he always seemed to be one step ahead of him. It was almost as if someone was keeping him updated regarding Christian’s plans. Every time he would get close to his location, Tillman would move, leaving little to no traces behind. The entire ordeal was stressing Christian out. It felt as if his grip on control was slipping. To make matters worse, things at home was becoming unbearable.* 

*As of lately, it seemed Jamie was always busy. He knew Jamie never showed much interest in the company; but he’d hoped that he would at least participate. Afterall, Jamie was now 23 years old. It was time he started pulling his weight in the family business; but whenever Christian would try and speak with him, it seemed he was only interested in what Vanessa was doing. It was like she was becoming his obsession. And Vanessa, these past few months her entire demeaner changed. She went from being this carefree bubbly person to constantly looking nervous always staring at her phone. He wasn’t sure what caused the change in his siblings, but he was going to get to the bottom of it.*

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***Jamie walked into his study feeling mentally exhausted. These past several months was beginning to weigh on him. He knew it would only be a matter of time before Christian learned the truth about what was going on with him and Vanessa.***

***The day Vanessa met with Tillman, under suspicion, he had her followed. After seeing the photos, Jamie went into Christian's study to lookup who Officer Tillman was. After seeing his profile picture, Jamie could no longer deny it. Vanessa was the person responsible for the abuse Josie suffered in prison. That night, after Vanessa came home, Jamie confronted her.***

***“Vanessa, can I speak with you for a moment?”***

***Startled, Vanessa slowly nodded as she followed Jamie to his room.***

***“Um, big brother…did you just call me Vanessa?”***

***Throughout her entire life, Jamie had never called her Vanessa. It was always eight Ness or Nessie; but never Vanessa. She knew something was wrong but was too afraid to ask what. As soon as she walked into his room, Jamie immediately closed his door. For several minutes they both stood in silence causing Vanessa to speak first.***

***“U-Umm…did you want something Jamie?”***

***Jamie stared a few moments longer before speaking.***

***“Why’d you do it Vanessa?”***

***“Do what?”***

***Jamie’s eyes darkened. The last thing he needed was for her to continue to lie to him.***

“I’m really not in the mood for your lies Ness…so just tell me why you did it!”

*Jamie’s voice began to raise causing Vanessa to step back. Though he’d never been with her, she’d seen what Jamie could do when he was angry.*

*“Jame, you’re scary me. I don’t know what you’re-”*

*“I’m talking about this!!”*

*Jamie threw a stack of photos at Vanessa’s feet. As she picked them up to view, her face began to pale. The photos were of her and Tillman from their meeting that day. Vanessa began to breath heavy as she stumbled backwards onto his bed. Her hands trembled as she stared at the photos.*

*“W-Where did you get-”*

*“Are you serious! You think THAT’S what’s important! Where I got them from! What the fuck were you doing with the man that tortured Josie!”*

*Jamie was fuming. He didn’t care much for Josie but after reading that report he’d felt sorry for her. Afterall, she was only in that prison because she took the fall for Vanessa. She didn’t deserve to be punished for it.*

*“Jamie…I-I didn’t know he was the one that-”*

*“Stop lying to me!!!”*

*Jamie closed his eyes and took a deep sigh…as he reopened them, he could see the tears pouring from Vanessa’s eyes causing him to cool his temper. He took a step forward while speaking in a softer tone.*

*“Ness…I need you to stop lying to me. I already heard the conversation between you and Tillman…so just tell me why you did this.”*

*Vanessa dramatically threw herself onto the floor at Jamie’s feet crying hysterically.*

*“I don’t know!!! Jamie!! I-I….I just wanted to make her a little mad! I didn’t know he would do all of those horrible things!!!”*

*“Why would you want her to be upset”*

*Vanessa continued to sobbed,*

*“I-I…I was scared! Scared that you all would want her over me once she got out! I couldn’t lose you!!!”*

*Jamie stared at Vanessa with strained eyes. This entire situation was spiraling out of control. Vanessa being the reason for Josie’s abuse would definitely cause a stir in the family. Their father and Christian was already on edge and Josie was out of control. If word got out Vanessa was involved, she would most definitely reveal the truth about the car crash.*

*“Vanessa…do you realize what you’ve done? If dad or Chris finds out-”*

*“No!! Jamie!! You’re not going to tell them are you??? You can’t do that!”*

*Vanessa stood back up as she began to panic, it was no telling what Christian, or their father would do. She had to convince him not to say anything.*

*“Jame….please….I-I know what I did was wrong! I’ll make it up to Josie I promise! But you can’t tell dad or Chris!”*

*Jamie’s brows furrowed. Now that Christian was in pursuit of Tillman, he knew it was only a matter of time before he found him.*

*“Ness…it’s not that simple. Christian is already tracking him down…when he founds him-”*

*“He won’t! He won’t! I gave him a million dollars to leave the city!”*

*The words blurted out faster than she realized but it was too late to take anything back. Jamie’s eyes widen in shock.*

*“You what! Vanessa….do you have any idea what you’ve done!”*

*“It’ll keep him away so Chris can’t find hi-”*

*“A million dollars isn’t enough! Do you have any idea the resources we have! Especially Christian! All you've done was created a paper trail!”*

*Vanessa’s eyes widen in horror as tears poured down her face.*

*“Jamie!! You have to help me! Please!! I’m your little sister!”*

That night, Jamie had Vanessa tell him everything she knew about Tillman. The next morning, he had his assistant meet with him giving him a debit card with another million dollars along with an airline ticket and a key to a condo he owned in Bailer; a city located in the Northen Region.

Now, four months later…he was using every resource he could find to keep his brother off Tillman’s track.