Regina's plan
Regina went back to the Zehetii mansion not a happy camper. She had thought her and Roger had an understanding. She hated he was right that she couldn't prove this was his baby. The moment she laid eyes on Roger she knew she wanted him. It was a matter of circumstances that he was there to witness a marriage contract with Gregory.
She had never in her life been treated the way she did last night. She put in some real effort to set up the room for romance. She swore she had Roger in the palm of her hand . Perhaps the you don't love me implication was a bit dramatic ,but it didn't hurt to try.
Her and Roger was the same. Two peas in the same pot . He was clever and cunning . He was also willing to do anything to secure what he wanted. She was not happy he just pushed her aside. She wasn't happy he told her no. Then used her paternity of her child as a weapon against her.
She was the one whom caught him trimming off money from Bethany . She was suppose to hold the cards here. She was the one who agreed to Mary Gregory in order to forfeit protection for Bethany now both her parents are gone. She was the one who made Ryder the man he is. Before he was a spoiled brat spending cash that he didn't even have.
Regina was so damn tired of being screwed over. She was going to make this go back into her control. Roger was not going to get away with saying no to her.
Regina fell into the floor sobbing as soon as she came into the mansion. She wailed and cried and shook with amplified fear .
" Regina , what happened." Asked Gregory as he was having his normal brandy at his normal time.
" He tried to take advantage of me." She sobbed now in Gregory's big arms.
" Roger. I saw him while I was in town last night and he suggested we grab dinner . Saying I shouldn't be out alone in my condition." She sobbed louder now.
" Then he got a hotel room." She said looking up in Gregory's eyes for a reaction.
Gregory now ferious. With what he was told. He went to his office grabbing his phone. Regina grabbed his arms.
" Please don't. He said he would tell you this baby was his if I told you. Please I can't bare it if he was to hurt you with this lie. " She confessed pleading to him dramatically.
" Did you sleep with him?" Gregory asked now ferious.
" I had to he left me no choice. I can't lose you . I would do anything for you." She heaved not like trying to catch her breath.
" Regina, he has to answer for what he has done!" Yelled Gregory.
" Please no. Please he is a dangerous man you don't know how dangerous he can be. You are all I have .Please I can't lose you. I love you. Please." She pleaded.
Regina fell on the floor knowing that the two men would fight . And if she played it right Roger will take care of Gregory and he won't ever find out about the baby . She would have the Zehetii money for her baby and help her family out of their debts . She would also have her man.
"Cynthia !" Yelled Gregory.
The house head came in and looked at the scene before her.
" Yes sir is everything alright?" She said looking at the room.
" Take Mrs. Zehetii to take a bath. I am not to be bothered for the rest of the day. Cancel all appointments as well." He said snapping his fingers to dismiss her.
Regina leaned on Cynthia with a small smile under her brilliant show for Gregory. Cynthia ran a bath for Regina and she came in to finish up.
" Is there anything you like ma'am?" She asked cordially.
" My phone. " Regina said now calm.
Cynthia handed her the phone as she looked at Cynthia." That will be all." As she dismissed her.
She called Roger .The phone rang then picked up.
" What do you want Regina didn't I show you my sentiments last night?" He barked in the phone.
" Roger. Gregory knows." She said in a low hushed tone.
" What!" He screamed over the phone.
Regina had to think fast how he knows .
" Well how did he figure it out?" Stressed Roger as he thought damn there went my leverage against Regina's advances. She probably told him first to be beat him to the punch. It is what he would have done. To cover his own butt.
" I don't know he was on the phone when I came home . We fought about it and I'm in my room now . I'm really scared." She said in a soft manner.
" Did he hurt you?" Asked Roger voice laced with concern. Regina thought putty in my hands I have him right where I want him.
" I ran upstairs. I've never seen that look in his eyes. " She said as she hitched her voice to show fear.
" I'm coming over . Don't leave your room" Said Roger as he hung up the phone.
Regina put he phone down and layed back in the luxurious bubble bath and relaxed. If I play this right . I'll get the Grigori and the Zehetii fortune. I'll pull my family out of debt and I'll have what I want.
Let the men fight it out . Winner takes all.
Roger banged on the door the mansion since he had a code to the gate.
" Open up. Don't you dare hurt her." Screamed Roger through the door.
Cynthia opened the door." Sir you can not be here Mr Zehetii dose not want to be disturbed." She explained.
" He will see me today!" He yelled into the room.
" Gregory!" He yelled.
Gregory heard the commotion and loaded his pistol and placed it in his back pocket .He knew this would be a fight . The balls of this man walking into his house after what he did.
Gregory stormed outside the office.
" You unbelievable , bastard. " Yelled Gregory ." How dare you touch my wife." He said pulling the pistol to point at Roger.
" Gregory let's talk about this." Roger said hands held high in defence . Roger thought of how to reach the knife he kept in his sock . He looked at the pistol aimed at him and observed the room.
" Where is Regina ? You didn't harm her did you?" Asked Roger looking around. Roger was many things when it came to women but he would never raise his hand against one no matter how mad he got with them. His concern for Regina was she was hurt.
Gregory eyes flared ."Don't You dare to say my wife's name in your filthy lying mouth. You were my friend,but my wife . My wife." He screamed pistol shaking unsteady.
Roger made his way to Gregory hands up slowly. While working out scenarios where he could get his knife .
" You don't want to do this . It was all a misunderstanding. " Roger said inching closer.
" But if killing me will put your mind at ease." He persisted as he stepped closer to Gregory eyes red threatening tears.
" Then I am willingly offering" he said as he was close enough to grab the pistol. The two men struggled and a shot went off. " Your life in my absence." Said Roger as Gregory's body slumped to the ground eyes wide and blood pouring from his chest.
" Regina.my wife and baby " Coughed Gregory.as blood came out of his mouth now gurgling " Regina " he spit splattering Rogers face.
" Yes I will take very good care of her." He whispered into Gregory's ear as he layed him on the floor.
" Call nine one one . Call nine one one " .screamed Roger .
He held the panicked face of Gregory
" Tell Bethany I love her. And I'm sorry I couldn't see my daughter grow up to know me." He said in a smile like he was remembering him and her as darkness clouded his vision and he took his last breath. Well shit. That was a last words he didn't expect. A mans last regrets for the woman he loved. Roger would have thought he would waste that last sentiment on Regina since she was the reason this happened. But even in death he spoke last of Bethany.
Regina heard the gunshot and she jumped in response. She pulled herself out of the bath grabbed her robe and made her way down stairs.
There she was Gregory lifeless in the arms of Roger . Roger cradling him
" Roger , what have you done!" Screamed Regina.
" I'm so sorry . It was an accident . I was trying to tell him to put it down so we could talk and and." He said now in shock. Roger knew how this looked her was in his house. He actively sought out Gregory. He was going to get manslaughter if he can't prove it was self defense . Yes he knew he would kill Gregory when he showed up but he didn't want to throw out premeditated. That was such a a damaging word to use .
So had to look shocked . He had to look disturbed from the loss of his friend. He had to be at Regina at her own game. She wanted to get rid of Gregory. Her and Ryder both . How the hell did he wall into her trap again.
" Have the police been called?" Regina spatted.
" Cynthia . Cynthia." He repeated like a shocked confrontation.
" Look , Roger this looks bad." Regina said .
" He was my friend. He was my friend." He said rocking Gregory.
Roger was not going to break character. He knew Regina set this up but he was not going to take the fall for protecting her.
The police showed up and a gurney took Gregory as the placed a sheet on top of him and wheeled him away. Roger blood stained clothes and shocked played the part of the grieving friend.
Regina sat on the sofa as she held her belly.
" Can you tell me what happened, Mrs. Zehetii? Asked the officers.
" I was upstairs taking a bath and I heard a bang and came down that's all I know. Is my husband really dead?" She said now crying.
She was not going to let Roger take the stage .
" Yes ma'am. " He patted her shoulder for comfort." And how do you know Roger ?" The question proceeded.
" He is a family friend. My husband and him were like brothers." Sniffled Regina.
" Do you know what happened to cause your husband's death." He asked he as she shook her head stifling a cry.
The police say Roger on the sofa adjacent to Regina . Regina wanted to yell at Roger to keep his bloody clothes off her sofa . Blood was so hard to get out of fabric she glared at Roger .
" Roger.can you tell me exactly what was happened." He said.
" I spoke to Gregory yesterday about his baby you see his wife is pregnant. He expressed thoughts of not being ready to be a parent . I told him it was jitters.when I came to visit today him and Regina had gotten into a fight she ran up stairs. You see I was outside about to check on him when I heard the fight. " He paused and stared into the distance.
" Go on." Urged the officer .
" I confronted Gregory about it . He broke down trying to hurt himself. I tried getting the gun away from him. I wasn't fast enough. I managed to pull it away and he wouldn't release the gun and he shot himself." He broke into a sob.
" Gregory has been depressed since he lost his first love Bethany. He remarried thinking he could heal but I see he never did." Wailed Roger .
Regina shot him a look at the mention of Bethany. It was two birds one stone kind of moment. He gets acquitted for accidental murder and put out an a search for Bethany. Gregory was out of the way now next it was Bethany.
" I'm so sorry for both of your losses.
Wails let out as Regina teared up ." Gregory Jr will grow up without a father. " She held her belly and fell on the sofa crying.
" Ma'am please calm down it's not good for the baby " said Cynthia as she cradled Regina . Regina stared at Roger and a small eyebrow arch crossed her face. Roger nodded . Touche Regina touche.
Regina watched them as the officers got Rogers information. Her plan had worked out exactly as she planned. She inwardly applauded herself on turning the cards in her own favor. She thought maybe Roger should think twice before telling her no ever again.
Roger was hers. The both were equally a monster waiting to be unleashed. Now Roger could not deny Regina was his perfect mate. Together they could scheme. Together they could shape the world in their ways. Together they could rule this empire they were born into.
Regina rubbed her belly smiling. Thank you for making this possible. Who knew a baby can become a bargaining tool to open all the doors she wanted . She would play the dutiful widow now. Gregory was always a pawn on her chessboard. She was the queen protecting her king now.
Now Gregory was out of the way. She would have to keep Ryder loyal. Than deal with Victoria. She was a thorn in her side. Ryder couldn't be at his full potential with her holding the reigns . Granted rider was a man now at age twenty -two
It was time to get him out from under Victoria . If Regina was going to do this she would need loyalty. She would need understanding. Roger could help her in law and in satisfaction. Ryder could help her in status and ties now to three families fortunes.
Yes she was destined to be a kingpin . She needed to be known. Scratch that. No was she going to be known even if she had to knock everyone down in her path to her glory and her triple empire she now stood as the mourning widow and the future of of this empire she inspired to build in her own image.
With Roger by her side she could take this triple family by force. Today she would raise the Toosley name once again and dominate the Zehetii family and hold the Grigori dynasty in her hands. All Ryder needed was a little motivation.
The police arrested Roger for a few days to question the incident with him and Gregory. This would give her time to work on Ryder . Poor love sick puppy she knew him to be. Regina wasn't settling saving the Toosley name anymore. She wanted it all.