When Kelvin's mother's phony death triggers a nightmarish chain of events, he's trapped in a sinister web of deception spun by his ex-girlfriend Gloria and former best friend Jeoffery. With vengeance in their hearts, they'll stop at nothing to claim what they believe is rightfully theirs. As Kelvin endures unimaginable torment, his sister Jackie and her unwavering partner Alex embark on a desperate quest to uncover the truth and rescue him. Amidst the chaos, buried family secrets resurface, tearing at the seams of trust and unity. But the ultimate revelation that Jeoffery is no stranger threatens to shatter their identity completely. Set against a backdrop of opulent wealth and urban intrigue, "Devil in Disguise" takes readers on a heart-stopping journey through manipulation, suspense, and the undying bonds of family. Will the Clydes emerge from the shadows of their past, or will their legacy remain forever fractured?
KELVIN'S POV
The day dawned crisp and clear as the sun poured through my windows bringing along with it new hopes and aspirations. I rubbed my blurry eyes and walked to the window to catch a glimpse of the rising sun casting its rosy hues across the sky. I was anything but ready to face the day without Mom. She had gone on a trip and would return today.
I dragged myself to the bathroom,brushed my teeth and took a quick shower. After changing outfits, I run down the stairs and met Jackie and Jeoffery already seated at the table. I inhaled my breakfast, scrambled for my Key and jacket and made to race for the door.
I had turned the door nob already when my phone rang. It was an unknown number.
"What!!" I exclaimed in shock as my phone fell lifelessly from my hand. The news I heard on the phone struck me so hard that I fell to the ground like an empty sack released from a height. All eyes in the room were now fixed in on me shock and confusion as to why I exclaimed as such and fell hard to the ground. The wind whirled around me and the world went black. At first, I couldn't process what I had heard. A shiver raced down my spine and tremor of pain struck my heart as if pierced with an arrow.
"Oh, my God!! Kelvin C. What is it?" l heard jeoffery exclaim as he made fast paces towards me to pick me off the ground.
"what is it Kel C, what happened Kel C, he interrogated. I kept mute as if I heard nothing he said. "Answer me," he asked again but still nothing
"Jackie get a glass of water," I heard jeoffery say out loud to my sister. She brought it hurriedly and I took a sip.
He asked again "Kel C what is it"?
" It's mo mo mo". I stuttered out of shock.
"What is mo mo mo" he interrogated.
JEOFFERY'S POV
Kel c is making no sense here at all, what could be wrong"? I asked turning to Jackie who looked down much worried and confused about his brother. Minutes ago, Kelvin had jolted from his sleep looking lively as ever, what happened now.
"The phone!! " Jackie blurted out as her eyes fell on phone dropped from Kevin's hand moments ago.
" Yes! You're a genius Jackie", I said to her as I rushed to where the phone was lying.
I picked it up and hurriedly checked the recently received number, it was Kel C's mom.
"Jackie it's ur mom," I said to her.
"What could Mom have told Kelvin to cause this sudden muteness and stammering"? Jackie asked already in fear. I shrugged
I dialed the number to call back." hello mummy " I said when the call was answered.
"Halo" a deep voice replied.
"Who are u, please? " I questioned him immediately on noticing the unfamiliar voice
" I'm inspector Ernest A.K.A Junior Einstein". He replied explaining boastful
"Whatever, this is Miss Caries's phone may I know where she is?
"Oh the accident victim? But I told you already". He added hesitantly .
"Nope. It wasn't me, that was my friend and did I just hear you say accident " I replied and asked when a shrill ran down my spine on what I've heard.
" Yes I'm sorry but we lost the victim" he sadly announced
"What!! Miss Carrie died in an accident"? I exclaimed
"No, it can't be! not my mom!" I Heard Jackie say out loud and she burst into tears...
ONE MONTH AFTER MOM'S BURIAL
Jackie's POV
"Hey guys dinner is ready!!"I screamed out from the dinner table to call my brothers.
Oops, sorry there were no proper introductions the first time. I'm Jackie Clyde, 18 years old and Kelvin Clyde my elder brother who is 20 years.,and Jeoffery my brother's friend who we took in recently because he lost his parents. I sometimes regret we took him in. Sadly we also lost our dad not too long ago and our mom followed recently .
Kelvin is automatically the CEO of the Clyde's company after our parents passed away and that had been our source of income since then.
"Jackie what did you make today, am damm hungry," Jeoffery said as he descended the stairs.
"There he goes again," I said within me.
"I made your favourite... Rice and chicken wings". I said as I faked a smile when I saw my brother's gaze
"Wow. Mouth-watering." He remarked as they sat down
I began to serve the food.
"I won't eat much" Kelvin said lost in thoughts.
"What is wrong with him again, " I thought. It was as if the passing of mother affected him much than any of us. Since then he has turned cold and his way of behaviour has changed. He used to be lively and jovial when our parents were alive.He would usually behave as if he was the last born but since these tragic events, he's totally turned into a new being.
The food serving was done in no time. and then as if been timed by someone, the doorbell rang before each of us could even taste the food.
I went to check who it was. Three men, two dressed in all black and one in white and black stood at the gate.
"Good afternoon ma'am". he said.
"Huh, me? ma'am"? I chuckled within.
"Yh afternoon" I replied more clearly.
Jeoffery's POV
Curiosity rushed me to the door to check who it was also. I strodded casually to the door after Jackie who was already speaking to the anonymous people.
"Oh inspector," I said on reaching where they were.
"What's your name again, " I asked rhetorically.
" Einstein, yeah junior Einstein " I replied myself after straining my head to remember his name.
" Wossup negga" I switched from the normal ascent doing a nigga's talk.
"I'm sorry but I'm not here for your foolish dramatic scene" The officer replied rudely
Feeling ashamed and foolish I kept mute.
"Where is Mr Kelvin Clyde?" the officer asked.
"I'm here" Kelvin replied as he walked towards us.
You are under arrest for killing your mom.
What??!! We all gasped in shock.
KELVIN'S POV
"What!! Killed my mom? Haha, you got to be kidding me, officer. " I asked jokingly
"Yoo man I'm not kidding here okay? The officer retorted.
But what the hell are you....the officer cut me off before I could even finish my statement.
"Say something and it would be used against you in a court of law" he added looking serious.
I watched idly as the handcuffs were manoeuvred around my wrist
"Jeez officer, take it easy with my bro...we can settle this amicably, how much do you want?" Jeoffery said worriedly and pleasingly.
"Hey young man, you better watch your words before it lands your friend in bigger trouble " the officer replied With rage.
"Okay enough of the drama here, take him to the car" the officer instructed his other men to do so.
They single handedly grabbed me and we walked to their car outside. I was overly resistant with they arresting me for such a hideous act. I clenched my fist in rage as he ordered his men to take me in. He wore a unpardonable look on which already showed he wasn't going to pardon me. As such, I held on to my ego as they forced me inside the car.
Sooner after his rants, he shove himself into the driver's seat and sped off abruptly leaving the escapee particles of air to float in the atmosphere
Madisyn was stunned to discover that she was not her parents' biological child. Due to the real daughter's scheming, she was kicked out and became a laughingstock. Thought to be born to peasants, Madisyn was shocked to find that her real father was the richest man in the city, and her brothers were renowned figures in their respective fields. They showered her with love, only to learn that Madisyn had a thriving business of her own. "Stop pestering me!" said her ex-boyfriend. "My heart only belongs to Jenna." "How dare you think that my woman has feelings for you?" claimed a mysterious bigwig.
Elodie took a deep breath and knocked, the sound echoing in the quiet corridor. A moment of silence passed, broken only by the pounding of her heart. Finally, the door snicked open, revealing a surprised Dashiell. 'Can't you see the Do Not Disturb sign? We don't want-' His initial frown quickly morphed into confusion at the sight of his wife. 'What are you doing here?' he demanded. 'Your girlfriend invited me,' Elodie replied, her voice laced with icy calm. She tried to peer past him, but his broad frame blocked the view. A saccharine voice chimed in from within the room. 'Elodie? Oh dear, we didn't mean for you to find out this way. It's just that-' Elodie cut her short. 'Oh please, Selene. Spare me the fake apologies. You wouldn't have sent me all those texts if you didn't want me to know.' Dashiell shifted uncomfortably, his face a mask of annoyance. 'What texts?' Elodie stepped past him, taking in the luxurious suite with a sardonic smile. The king-sized bed, the scattered rose petals, the lingering scent of sex – it all painted a vivid picture of their betrayal. She looked up at Dashiell, her gaze unwavering. 'I want a divorce.' ****** Dashiell lived a life of luxury, surrounded by the best things money could buy. But when a car accident left him vulnerable, he met Elodie, a seemingly ordinary woman who nursed him back to health. Mistaking her for just another employee, Dashiell entered into a loveless marriage with her solely for convenience. However, fate had a different script in store. Elodie, the 'ordinary nurse,' held a secret more precious than any diamond: she was the sole heiress to Northstar, a vast and powerful enterprise. Unaware of her true identity, Dashiell cast her aside when his ex-girlfriend returned, leaving Elodie humiliated. But Elodie was not one to be easily broken. She shed the facade of the meek nurse, reclaiming her rightful inheritance and stepping into the role of Northstar's CEO. Now, the woman Dashiell discarded was the one holding the reins of power. As Elodie thrives in her new role, Dashiell is consumed by regret. He finally sees Elodie for the extraordinary woman she truly is, realising the depth of his mistake. But will his remorse be enough to win back the heart he so carelessly discarded?
"Sign the divorce papers and get out!" Leanna got married to pay a debt, but she was betrayed by her husband and shunned by her in-laws. Seeing that her efforts were in vain, she agreed to divorce and claimed her half of the properties. With her purse plump from the settlement, Leanna enjoyed her newfound freedom. The constant harassment from her ex's mistress never fazed her. She took back her identities as top hacker, champion racer, medical professor, and renowned jewelry designer. Then someone discovered her secret. Matthew smiled. "Will you have me as your next husband?"
Lucia Balstone thought she had chosen the right man to spend the rest of her life with, but he was the one who ended her life. Their ten-year marriage seemed like a joke when her husband stabbed her with a dagger. Fortunately, God is never blind to people's tears. Lucia got a second chance. She was reborn at the age of 22, before all the terrible things had happened. This time, she was determined to avenge herself and let those who hurt her pay! She made an elaborate list of her goals, and the first thing on her list was to marry her ex-husband's enemy, Alonso Callen!
Corinne devoted three years of her life to her boyfriend, only for it to all go to waste. He saw her as nothing more than a country bumpkin and left her at the altar to be with his true love. After getting jilted, Corinne reclaimed her identity as the granddaughter of the town’s richest man, inherited a billion-dollar fortune, and ultimately rose to the top. But her success attracted the envy of others, and people constantly tried to bring her down. As she dealt with these troublemakers one by one, Mr. Hopkins, notorious for his ruthlessness, stood by and cheered her on. “Way to go, honey!”
Due to the plight of her family, Phoebe had no choice but to embark on the path of selling herself. In an accident, she had a tangled night with Alexander. Everything began to derail, and even if she fled to the ends of the earth, she would still be found by him and entangled... *** Phoebe screamed in frustration, "What do you want from me?" What was this supposed to be? He raised an eyebrow wickedly. "What do I want? You'll find out soon enough." With that, he hoisted her up and carried her back into the office. The door slammed shut with a kick, and he cleared the desk with a sweep of his arm before laying her down on it, his body pinning hers in place, completely trapping her in his grasp. Every cell in his body was telling him he wanted her. He wanted to claim her again. This time, there would be no escape for her-he wouldn't let her slip away. Never again. If he had suffered for five years, then this woman wouldn't get off easily either!