Chapter 3

Samantha

I sped back to Louis's house, my heart pounding in my chest. I couldn't shake the gnawing fear that something terrible was unfolding. The events of the night before had left me rattled, and I needed answers-needed to make him explain what was happening. But when I arrived, the house was empty, as though he had simply vanished.

My fingers trembled as I dialed his number, the phone pressed tight to my ear. Each call went straight to voicemail, his cold, automated message pushing me closer to the edge. I was caught in the middle of a nightmare, and the dread was sinking its claws deeper into me with each passing second.

Morning came, and with it, a fierce determination. I stormed off to Louis's office, my mind set on forcing some answers out of him. But when I arrived, I was met with resistance. Security guards blocked my way, their expressions blank, almost indifferent.

"Louis gave specific orders not to let you in," one of the guards said, his tone matter-of-fact, as though I was nothing more than a minor inconvenience.

But I wasn't about to be brushed aside. Anger surged within me, hot and fierce. I threatened to cause a scene, my voice rising above the quiet murmur of the lobby, drawing the attention of everyone around us. The guards hesitated, uncertainty flickering in their eyes. Taking advantage of their hesitation, I shoved past them, my heart pounding as I rushed toward Louis's office.

I burst through the door, my breath coming in sharp gasps, and there he was-Louis, sitting at the head of a long table, deep in discussion with a group of investors. The moment his eyes met mine, a slow, devilish smirk spread across his face. It was as though he had been expecting me, like this was all part of some twisted game he was playing. He signaled to the security guards who had chased after me, gesturing for them to stand down.

"Gentlemen, excuse me for a moment," Louis said smoothly, his voice dripping with false politeness. He rose from his seat, his movements calm and deliberate, and walked over to me. Grabbing my arm with a firm grip, he pulled me out of the conference room and into the hallway, closing the door behind us.

The second we were alone, his demeanor shifted. His eyes narrowed, his expression hardening with disdain. "Don't you know the meaning of 'it's over between us,' or do I need to spell it out for you?" His tone was sharp, dismissive, as if I were nothing more than a pest.

Ignoring his words, I did the only thing that felt right in that moment-I slapped him, hard. The sound echoed through the empty hallway, and for a split second, I saw something flash in his eyes. Was it shock? Or something darker? Before I could decipher it, rage overtook his features.

"How dare you lay your filthy hands on me, Samantha? Who the hell gave you such audacity?" His voice was a low hiss, filled with venom that made my skin crawl.

"That's what you get for going after my family, you bastard," I spat back, my voice quivering with a mix of anger and fear. "How dare you accuse my brother of stealing when you know he's innocent?"

Louis's expression didn't change. If anything, his eyes grew colder, more calculating. He leaned in closer, his voice dripping with malice. "Well, your brother will have to prove that in court. Either he returns the money that's missing from the company's account, or he rots in jail. Considering his previous criminal record, I doubt he'll get any leniency. And let's not forget-it's two million dollars. How on earth is he going to raise that kind of money? Looks like your brother is going to be spending a very long time in prison."

At the mention of the figure, the ground seemed to shift beneath me. My breath caught in my throat, and the anger and confidence that had driven me here began to crumble. Two million dollars? How was this happening?

"You can't do this to me, Louis," I whispered, my voice barely audible, the weight of his words crashing down on me. "What did I ever do to deserve this wickedness from you?"

Louis's expression softened, but not with any hint of kindness. His eyes gleamed with something darker, something twisted. He stepped closer, his hand reaching up to caress my chin, his touch making my skin crawl.

"Maybe we can work something out, Samantha," he murmured, his voice low, almost seductive.

"Something like what?" I asked, my voice trembling with a mix of anxiety and dread.

His grin widened, and I could see the cruel intent in his eyes. "You keep warming my bed after my engagement to Clara, and maybe-just maybe-I'll let your brother go free."

Disgust and anger surged up inside me, a burning fire that made my stomach churn. I yanked my chin out of his grasp, my voice filled with loathing. "You're a sick man, Louis," I snarled. "I'd rather die than let you touch me again."

Louis let out a low, mocking chuckle, his arrogance radiating off him like a noxious cloud. "Suit yourself, Samantha," he sneered. "It's my way or nothing. Look around you-I'm the CEO of this magnificent enterprise, and my word is final. No one in this city can stand up to me. You're nothing but a mouse trapped in the lion's den."

His words hung in the air, heavy and suffocating. My mind raced, searching for something-anything-to throw back at him. But before I could find the right words, the buzzing of a cell phone cut through the tension like a knife.

Frowning, I reached into my purse and pulled out the phone. My heart skipped a beat when I realized it wasn't mine-it was Jack's. I'd completely forgotten that I had it.

Suddenly, an idea sparked in my mind, a glimmer of hope piercing through the darkness. Maybe all wasn't lost yet. Maybe, just maybe, I could find a way to convince Jack to help me. After all, returning his phone could be the perfect opportunity to gain his trust, to get him on my side. One good turn deserves another, right?

I glanced up at Louis, who was watching me with a mixture of curiosity and irritation. I needed to keep my cool, to not let him see the hope flickering in my eyes. I forced a cold, defiant smile onto my face.

"Is that all you've got, Louis?" I said, my voice steady, with just a hint of challenge. "Empty threats and bluster? You're pathetic."

His eyes narrowed, but before he could respond, I turned on my heel and walked away, clutching Jack's phone tightly in my hand. My heart pounded as I made my way out of the building, heading straight to the bar where I first met Mr. Jack Smith. I had a plan forming in my mind, and for the first time since this nightmare began, I felt a flicker of hope.