"What the..." Linc cursed as the car swerved uncontrollably.
"Hold on sir, we have a tail," Walter stated manoeuvring the car through the traffic switching on his com to communicate with his team.

The black SUV was gaining on them as Walter tried his best to lose it through the busy city. Out of nowhere, a vehicle stopped in front of them the side door sliding open revealing a heavily armed man pointing the gun at them.
"Get us out of here Walter," Linc ordered taking out a com from a hidden compartment.
"Charlie 1 is en route, five minutes until contact," Walter said calmly.
"Who is our guest?" Lincoln asked facing the man pointing his gun at their vehicle.
"Not sure sire," Walter said pulling out his phone and getting a picture of the man before he started firing at their car.

The bullets bounced off the car making the man realize it was useless as their car was bulletproof.
"Pathetic," Lincoln said with disgust calling Ken. "Go to Dubai and handle the situation. I'm going underground, 'Plutonic' is a go.
'Plutonic' was their code for Ken taking care of everything while Linc dealt with any threats against his life. He had implemented such a plan knowing his wealth would bring about many enemies. Now looking at their latest threat he felt like laughing at the idiots, who planned a hit not knowing what their target used for protection.
Several men came to their vehicle guns aimed at them as another man who seemed like the leader commanded them to leave the car.
"Make it fast boys," Lincoln said through his com as he watched the man tumble down like dominos from the headshots.
"Charlie 1 is here sir," Walter said jumping out of the car and escorting Linc to the chopper.
"Take care of them," he said referring to his family. "I'll contact you and also take care of the car," Lincoln said strapping himself in his seat knowing it would be unsafe for his family if he stayed close to them.

-----

"What are you doing here?"
"Rumor has it that you are still living with lover boy. I just wanted to see this for myself," Chris said with a smirk. "Such a shame trouble is brewing around you," he said with a deadly smile. "If you don't leave him, Mel, I will make sure you never see Zach ever again," he whispered into her ear.
"You will never see an inch of my son. Your threats mean nothing to me," she said in a venomous tone feeling her head start pounding.

"Sorry to disturb mam, but you need to see this," a maid said switching on the television.
She instantly recognized the burning car, as the fireman extinguished it.
"Lincoln," she whispered listening as the reporter stated that the passenger was no more.
All of a sudden the room seemed to close in on her as she struggled to breathe.
"Mam, are you alright?" The maid said in a worried voice.
"And so it begins," Chris whispered leaving the room with a triumphant smile as Mel passed out leaving the maid to call for help.

----

"Ma'am we were unable to recognize the body but from the height and build it fits your husband's stature. We are truly sorry for your loss," the detective said.
"My husband is alive, so don't you dare tell me lies," Mel seethed. "Stop saying sorry and go and find my husband instead of just doing nothing but apologizing.
"If you are done please leave this house," Charles said walking in with his family before the detective could say anything else.

"Don't even dare try consoling me. He is not dead. The hit was just too sloppy to take him down," she said getting up and backing away from them as the officers left the house.
"We know my dear," Rebecca said with a smile confusing Mel.
Walter walked in and handed her a phone. "There is a call for you mam," he said softly.
Putting the phone to her ear, she said, "Hello," in a shaky voice.
"How are you love?" Linc said as she crumbled to the floor in tears. "Shhh baby, I am alright. I hear you have been giving the police hell," he chuckled.
"Those incompetent jerks were lying right to my face, thinking I was going insane when I said you were not dead," she laughed through tears happy to hear his voice. "Do you have any idea what I have going through?"
"I am sorry Mel. Listen love I don't have much time but my parents will explain to you what is going on. Do you still have that earpiece I gave you?"
"Yes," she said.
"Keep it with you always. I'll stay on the line constantly. Be strong my love."
"Okay," she murmured pulling herself onto the sofa.

"Mam, your medication," Walter said holding a tray with a glass of water which had her medication.
"Thank you, Walter," she murmured holding her head praying for the headache to subside.
"Mel, have you had anything to eat?" Rebecca asked.
Shaking her head, she received a stern look from her mother-in-law.
"Andre!" She called out as the chef ran into the room. "Prepare a light meal for Mel," she said taking charge of the house.

Charles sat down across from her.
"Mel there are a few things you must know. Lincoln has gone into what he calls 'plutonic', he will resurface when the time is right. This allows him to flush out whoever wants him dead. Now know this, everyone you have met thus far is no ordinary person. Each of them has their own background and somehow someway Linc helped them out of a difficult situation. You are safe here," he said slowly letting each word sink in.

"Mel, are you still with us?" Ethan asked her worried.
"Yes. So....so how long will we have to stay here?"
"Not long my dear. All you have to do is play the part of the grieving widow very well. We will be with you every step of the way," Charles said with a smile.
"Are you up for that?"
"Yes. Wait, where is Megan?"
"She is with Dominic. They are on their way here," Ethan said. "Will is already on his way to his parents, don't worry," he said looking at Zach who was fast asleep on the couch.

A few hours later Cameron called her checking up on her as she lay in bed next to her son. Assuring him she would be alright she hung up pulling her son closer to her, just to assure herself her was there and safe.
"Linc are you there?" She said switching on her earpiece.
"What's the matter, love?"
"I'm scared Linc. What if....what if Chris is behind the attack and does something drastic? He threatened to take Zach away from me earlier."
"No one is going to take our son away from us. My contacts already think it's Chris but just wait a little while longer until we are sure."
"Okay," she mumbled.
"Look up," he said.
Looking toward the TV she saw Lincoln smiling at her. Tears ran down her cheeks upon seeing he was well.

"The beauty of technology," he murmured. Now go to bed. Tomorrow is a big day love," he said softly.
She nodded her head no longer trusting her voice before the screen went black.

----

The funeral was private, open only to family as they played along with the charade.

One week later

Walking out of the house dressed for work, she was surprised to see four of the maids dressed in suits looking serious.
"Walter, what's going on?"
"Everyone has a past mam," he simply stated. "Everyone you met before is a piece to the puzzle of the life sire lives."
"Take care of her ladies," Walter said.

The security detail had been increased whilst Zach was more than excited to have his uncle around him.
"Ma'am shall we," one of the ladies said.
Walking into the building was a struggle with the press at the entrance. Lincoln had left everything in her name hence every business owner who was connected to Shields Enterprises patiently waited in the conference hall that took up an entire floor.

"Gentleman, ladies good morning. As you all well know my husband was brutally murdered. The police have yet to release any information about their current investigation. Marcus Aurelius once said, "The best revenge is to be unlike him who performed the injury". So let me warn you before we go any further with business. Once we find the culprit behind my husband's demise, he or she will regret the day their mother went through labour to bring them into this world," she said in a cold tone that made even the old men in the room sit up straight loosening their ties as she looked around the room.
She saw Cameron trying to hide his smile at the show of power she exuded.

"Business will go on as usual. Anyone who has a problem with the change of ownership can slowly exit the building," she said as the doors were suddenly opened for any volunteers. "Let me just warn you that, it will be the last time you attend a meeting of any sort. I will gladly throw you to the sharks, without any regrets.
My husband built this empire from scratch. Show him the respect he deserves through your loyalty to Shields Enterprises. I believe that through commitment and hard work, the sky will never be a limit. Stick with us and no one will hold you back," she said as they stood up applauding her.

"My my, look who is the big bad boss now?" Chris said clapping his hands and walking towards her. "Hey hey, relax," he said as two guards blocked his way and two more stood behind him. "I can see you are untouchable now."
"I have always been untouchable. Lincoln only tolerated you for business purposes," she spat.
"Tsk tsk, such a shame the way he had to go. I can only imagine how it must have felt to be burnt alive," he smiled.
"If you are done, I have more important matters to attend to."
"Oh please do go."
"Thank you. Oh Mr Watson I believe I now have Global Tech back in my hands and I might just declare you persona non grata," she said a smile forming on her lips at his bewilderment.