Chapter 21
Isabella was missing
She was abducted from the underground parking garage ||
It happened just after a meeting, the sharp click of her heels echoing against the concrete floor.
The parking lot lights flickered as she searched her bag for her car keys.
Suddenly hearing hurried footsteps behind her, she started to turn. A damp clodi reeking of ether was slammed over her mouth and nose.
In her struggle, she caught a glimpse of crimson stilettos and Chloe’s twisted smile]]
Tsabella. No, wait, Mrs. Montgomery:
The woman’s saccharine vode was like a snake hissing “Wanna play a Litle gainer
Lucas was discussing business with his assistant when he received the call.
You’re saying the Winslows were an involved in the Longwind Capital situation?–||
“Yes, According to ourivestigation. Mr. Hinton and Mr. Winslow had reached a private agreement. But afterward, Winslow tried to leverage your father’s death to extort shares from Hinton. During the argument, he accidentally killed him and staged it as a suicide.”
“Greed knows no bounds
Lucas leaned back in his chair just as his phone ring.
“If you want your wife to stay alive, bring the evidence of the Winslow family’s hidden assets.
Chloe’s more sounded bizarre through a voice changer. Tonight 10–PM Welle de Abandoned Chemical Plant. And don’t call the cops, or I’ll slice her throat right here
The moment the call ended Lich smashed his pen gainst the desk uk reped into his palm like blood
Missistant rushed back in. We just discovered Chloe has mortgaged everything she owns to short Montgomery Group stock. She’s going for broker“]
“Contact Dominic immediately. Lucas eyes were terrifying
That night
The rusted gates of the chemical plant creaked in the wind. Dominic stood in the shadows, watching Lucas approach alone[]
1 didn’t exped you to call
That’s not the point.
Lucas’s face was stone–cold as he strode past Dominte, leading straight toward where Isabella was being held||
When they kicked open the iron door, Chloe had a knife up under Isabella’s chin
“Look when here?]
She giggled. “Your husband and your fiance?
Lucas’s ty
s eyes locked onto Isabella, making sure she was injured before speaking coldly. “Let her go. What you want is right here”
He held up a silver USB drive
Dominic suddenly stepped forward. Chloe, I have evidence of your father’s involvement in embezzling Hinton Group assets.
Chloe’s face twisted
hos erupted in that mouent.
chloe screamed as she thrust the knife toward Isabella, and Dominic lunged forward.
The sound of the blade sinking into flesh was distinct
1
Isabella watched as Domini collapsed in front of her, blood pouring from his abinmen and staining her dress
Isabella
He struggled to raise his hand, as if trying to touch her face. But it fell Uimply before reaching her
Lucas’s security team swiftly restrained chlor. Lucks himself rushed to lanbella, wrapping his mult jacket around her trembling body.
“It’s over now,” Luris pulled her into his arms, kissing the top of her head. “You’re safe. I’m right here.“[
But Isabella couldn’t fear her eyes away from Dominic |
His blood was so vividly red
ked like the sanset outside the window seven years ago, when he first kissed her
Under the harsh fluorescent lights of the hospital corridor, Lucas pressed a cup of hot water inte Isabellas joe–cold hands.
The doctor says he’s out of danger,” he said quietly. Take a break. 111 stay with him,”
Isabella shook her head. 7 want to stay until he wakes up
After a moment of silence, Lucas suddenly dropped to one knee before her, looking up into her face. “Isabella, look at me“]
she stared at him, dazed ||
admit I initially approached you to get revenge on the Hintons, he gripped her hand with an intensity that almost hurt. “But now, I’d rather be the one bleeding out dan see you shed a single tear for him.
For Lucas Montgomery, who had always put profit above all else; in say something so irrationally emotional.
Isabella’s tears finally fell, landing on their intertwined hands.
A nurse hurried over. Mr. Hinton is awake! He’s asking for is Bennett
In the hospital mam, Dominie’s fare was pale
He gestured for the nurse to take a black notebook from the bedside table and hand it to Isabella.
“I was planning to
to take this to my grave,” he said with a weak smile
Isabella opened the first page, her eyes unconsciously welling up.
[July 15 Rainy
Isabella stayed up late again ofganizing files for me today. Two sugars in my coffee, just a like it. She always remembers
I think ingenting addicted to that warmth.]
September 28, Sunny!
Chloe returned from abroad. I thought my heart would rare like it used to. But looking at her, all I could think about was Isabella’s face
The journal’s final entry was from the day they separated!
Ive lost her.
Isabella that the notebook, ile pages wet from her tears |
It’s all in the past now,” she told Dominic, Jur voice gentle but resulate. Thank you for saving me, Domine. But we’re done.
Donde dosed his eyes, tear sliding down his cheek
Ikhow ||
He had finally let go of labella–and himuetr:||
Dotside the room, Lucas leaned against the wall with an unlit digu
digarette between his fingers
When Isabella stepped out, heimaneately dropped the cigarette and opened his aring
She fell into his embrace, her voice slightly choked
Take me home. []
Lucas tightened his arms around her felt like he was trying to fuse them together.
“Yeah! Let’s go home.
