Chapter One hundred and nine: Trapped in the DarkLily's POVThe cold in the room's air gave me shivers down my skin. My head hurt and my legs and hands ached, but that was not important.Because the knife was in front of me.They were really going to do it.I had hoped this was a threat, that they wished to scare me, maybe rough me up a little and let me go. But now, as I gazed at the shining blade of the knife, I knew I had been wrong.This wasn't a joke.This was serious.The man holding the knife smiled as though he was enjoying this. He drew the blade down my arm, the steel cold on my skin, and I shuddered."Do we cut here?" he called out to the others."No," a voice answered. "Let's start somewhere more painful."They laughed, as if this was funny.I swallowed, my heart racing in my chest.A Dangerous GameI had to be brave.If I wept, if I begged, they would enjoy this all the more. I couldn't provide them with that satisfaction.I lifted my chin, looking squarely into the man'
One hundred and twenty : Still in DangerLily's POVThe shiver on my body as I stood outside the warehouse, legs shaking beneath me. My heart still racing, wrists sore from where they had tied me up. Even though I was free now, I still felt trapped, like those masked men were still hiding around, waiting for the right moment to grab me again.Simeon was beside me, his muscles strained, his eyes burning as he watched the police take the kidnappers away. Nelson was explaining to one of the officers what had happened, but I barely heard him. My mind was stuck on the moment when these men had tried to hurt me.The laughter. The callousness. They didn't care if I lived or died.I ought to have felt a relief that it was done with, but I didn't. Something did not feel quite right.Simeon glanced back at me, his voice low. "Lily, you okay?"I shrugged, eager to tell lies, to lie and tell him I was okay. But as I tried to release words, nothing was produced.Rather, I shook my head.He sighed
Chapter One hundred and twenty One: The ArgumentLily's POVThe morning sunlight streamed through the curtains, bathing the room in a warm glow, but doing nothing to lift the heaviness in my chest. I had slept little. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw their faces—the men who kidnapped me, how they laughed, how they looked at me like I was nothing.I shook my head, trying to push the memories away. Today was a different day. I had stuff to do, and I couldn't let fear control me.I took a deep breath, stood, and reached for my phone on the nightstand. While getting ready, there was a knock on the door."Lily," Simeon's voice sounded from the other side.I sighed. I already knew what this was about.I opened the door, and there he stood, arms crossed over his chest, his piercing gaze raking over me. "Where do you think you're going?"I lifted my chin. "To work."His expression darkened. "No, you're not."I rolled my eyes. "Yes, I am, Simeon.""No, you're not," he repeated, stepping into
Chapter 122 Suspicion Lily's POVI was sitting at my desk, trying to focus on the sheet of paper before me, but my mind was restless. The house was too quiet, yet I could feel the weight of unseen eyes on me. It had been this way since morning—an uncomfortable feeling that something was amiss.Simeon had insisted that I stay home, refusing to let me go to work. We had argued about it, and I had tried to get him to see that I wasn't some fragile person who needed to be kept under lock and key. But in the end, I had given in—not because I felt he was right, but because I knew he wasn't going to change his mind even if i sins it, he and Nelson already agreed. Even now, I could hear him walking around downstairs, locking doors, making calls, keeping security around the house tight. Nelson had also joined him, informing me that the ones pursuing me would not let go so easily. But that was not to mean that I was going to just sit here and do nothing.I looked back at my computer, but my
Chapter 123 : Scary MessagesLily’s POVI was sitting on the couch, staring at my phone, when it vibrated in my hand.The sound made me flinch.I hadn't been seeking a message. Not from anyone. Considering all that had happened, every little something felt like a warning, like something was lurking in the shadows, ready to attack.Shaking fingers opened my phone.Unknown NumberMy heart pounded as I hesitated.A half of me didn't want to open it. A half of me wished I could have thrown my phone across the room, pretending I hadn't read it, that everything was fine.But I was smarter than that.I gasped slightly as I tapped the message."You can hide behind Simeon and Nelson all you want, but that won't stop what's coming. This is just the beginning."My stomach curled. My mouth went dry.I gripped the phone in my fist, rereading the words over and over, as though they would reverse themselves. As though I'd imagined them.But they weren't imaginary.Someone was watching me.Someone k
Chapter 124 : MissionCara's POVThe room was quiet, but not in a peaceful way. The silence clung between us thick and heavy with tension and unspoken words and exhaustion weighing on all of us like a heavy burden. Only the tick of the clock that loomed on the wall cut through it, every tick sounding like the marking of some inevitable countdown.Nelson leaned back in the couch, rubbing his forehead, his face expressionless but his body language screaming frustration. He was tired. His shoulders were slouched, his usually piercing eyes lackluster with exhaustion. He had slept little in days, and it was starting to catch up with him.Simeon, though, paced back and forth by the window, his jaw clenched. He was always the one who kept it together, the one who would never give in to panic. Even in all that had happened, he was steadfast, trying to keep us from falling apart.I stood next to the table, looking down at my phone. The message left there earlier remained on the screen, mocking
Chapter 125 – Lily's POVPlan The moment I heard his voice, my entire body went cold.I didn't want to believe it. I couldn't believe it.But there was no denying that voice.Adrian.A chill ran down my spine as I slowly faced him. My heart pounded against my chest, but I forced myself to stay calm. I couldn't let him see that his arrival unsettled me.Adrian King stood mere feet from me, his sharp eyes boring into my very being with a mix of anger and amusement. He was as I remembered—tall, impeccably dressed, and composed, as if he hadn't just laid waste to all I knew.He wore a flawlessly tailored black suit, his spit-shined shoes clicking against the concrete floor as he moved forward. The dim warehouse light shone overhead, and macabre shadows danced across his face. He had always possessed a lean, hard-handsome look, but now there was something darker in his countenance.Betrayal. Malice.I clenched my fists at my sides.I had spent all this time trying to discover who the pers
Chapter 126 – Simeon's POV : Frustrated When I heard Adrian's voice in the earpiece, my hands gripped the steering wheel tighter. A cold, lethal fury developed inside my chest as I listened to him mock Lily, his voice dripping with venom. Then Vanessa spoke.It was then that my anger set and turned into something lethal.Nelson cursed alongside me, fists balled. "Son of a bitch." His voice strained with incredulity. "I knew Adrian was an asshole, but Vanessa—" He shook his head. "She's been waiting for this moment.""This isn't about business." My voice was cold, repressed, although fires of outrage burned inside of me.Nelson nodded, his jaw clamped. "This is personal.".I stamped down harder on the gas pedal, and the car skidded through the nearly deserted roads. The warehouse was not so far away, but each passing second was an eternity.Then Lily's voice cut through the transmission."So now what? You threaten me? Hurt me? That's the plan?"Silence.Then Adrian's low, laughing voi
Chapter: The Emergency MessageI had just prepared the food. The smell of fried rice and chicken with pepper filled the kitchen with a savory aroma as I gingerly placed the final plate on the dining table. It was a peaceful night—one of those rare moments when we could all sit together and have a meal without stress.Simeon was already seated, his sleeves rolled up as he leaned back in his chair. Nelson was scrolling through his phone, and Leora had just come down from her room, looking tired but smiling.“Wow, Lily,” Leora said, sitting beside me. “This smells so good. You’re really spoiling us.”I smiled, wiping my hands on a napkin. “You all deserve it. It’s been a long week.”We all sat down and started eating. The food was hot, and everyone appeared to be in a calm mood. Even Simeon, who was always preoccupied with something, appeared to be enjoying a moment of peace."This is great," Nelson said, his fork stabbing into his chicken. "You've done a great job, Lily."I smiled gentl
Chapter 148: A Quiet Evening TogetherIt was an odd moment. Nelson and Liora were out, and the house was quiet. The normal business chaos, the plans, and the anxiety were all forgotten for the sake of a moment. I had been cooking for my day, something that I no longer had time for. I prepared a simple dinner—nothing fancy, merely some pasta, some salad, and some bread. But the smell of cooked food permeated the house, and I couldn't help but feel a little proud of the meal that I had prepared.I put on a loose dress, one that I usually reserved for times when I needed to unwind. Soft and unadorned, it was the perfect dress for an evening in. I had no idea why, but tonight felt different. Maybe it was because we were alone, the two of us. Maybe it was because, for the first time in what felt like an eternity, I could breathe.I walked into the living room where Simeon was, organizing some papers. His usual composed self was there, but his gaze was on me when I walked in. When eyes met,
Chapter 146: Leora’s Confession(Lily’s POV)I had just finished cleaning up the kitchen when Leora walked in. She looked tired, like she had been thinking a lot. Her eyes were dull, and her shoulders were a little slouched. I could tell something was bothering her.Simeon was sitting on the couch in the living room, reading through a document. I joined him and sat quietly for a while. Then Leora came over and stood in front of us.“I want to talk to both of you,” she said softly.Simeon looked up. “Sure. Sit down.”Leora sat across from us and looked at me first, then Simeon. Her eyes were filled with something—nervousness, fear… maybe even a little hope.“I don’t know how to say this,” she began, wringing her hands together. “But I like Nelson.”I blinked. Simeon raised a brow.“You… like him?” I repeated slowly.Leora nodded. “Yes. I’ve liked him for a while now. I didn’t want to say anything because I wasn’t sure how you both would take it.”Simeon leaned back and folded his arms.
Chapter: Let's Play Her GameLily's POVThe whole house was silent, too silent. I was just sitting on the couch, looking at the wall. My mind was full of thoughts—too many. Simeon was sitting beside me, arms folded, looking as serene as ever, but I knew he was thinking too. Nelson was leaning against the window, looking out, not saying a word.I took a deep breath and broke the silence."Ah. Camila isn't what we imagined her to be," I declared slowly. My tone was gentle, but my words carried immense weight. "She's hiding from Adrian. She's Zara."Nelson spun his wheelchair around, looking tired. "I just don't understand. She wasn't the kind of person to hide something. She was just. Camila.""She misled you," I replied, sounding gruffer than I meant to. "She misled all of us."Simeon finally spoke up. "That's what spies do. They blend in. Be nice, talk sweet, make you feel safe—until they strike."I nodded, my fury bubbling in my chest. "She probably came here for a reason. To get clo
Chapter One hundred and forty five ; The Truth About CamilaLily's POVI'd just done putting away the plates after dinner. Nelson and Simeon were in the sitting room, discussing a new proposal from one of Simeon's business partners. I was going to sit down with them when the front door creaked open.Liora came in, spent. She was holding her computer bag in one hand and removed her heels just inside the door. "Hey, guys," she tried to say with a small smile."Welcome," I told her, smiling back.Something on her face caught me, however. She looked. restless. Like something was eating away at her from the inside out."Long day?" Simeon asked from the couch.She nodded and came in slowly. "Yeah. Long and strange.".I moved over to her and picked up her bag. "You want to eat?"She shook her head. "No, thanks. I saw something today. At Adrian's company."My heart jumped. Nelson, who had been scrolling through his phone, looked up suddenly.Simeon straightened up. "What did you see?"Liora l
Chapter One hundred and Forty FourMeeting with Camila:Lily's POV – The Meeting with Camila (Continued)The waiter brought us our beverages first. I thanked him quietly and looked over at Camila. She sipped a glass of orange juice, peaceful face, hands placed on the table. She did not seem nervous one bit. That made me a little angry. If I were introducing people near my boyfriend, I would have been somewhat shy or apprehensive.Not her.She laughed easily at Nelson’s jokes. She looked him straight in the eyes when she spoke. She even asked me questions politely, like she really wanted to know me.“So, Lily,” she said, smiling gently, “Nelson told me you’re very good at cooking. What’s your favorite thing to make?”I smiled back, keeping my voice soft. “I like cooking simple meals. Rice and stew. Pasta. Fried plantains. Nothing too fancy.”"Sounds good," she told me. "Someday I might even get to sample it."I simply nodded, my smile failing to reach my eyes. I observed how she didn't
Chapter One hundred and Fourty threeChapter: Lily's Caution and Meeting CamilaLily's POVI had been inside the kitchen, at last doing the dishes which I had cooked for dinner. Stew fragrance filled the atmosphere, and ringing of plates that I set in place on the dining table. Things were just fine, yet my head wasn't well-oriented towards the food. It was onto Nelson's girl, Camila.Nelson had been boasting to me about how great she was. He was ecstatic, but something in me just wasn't working. I couldn't quite put my finger on it, but after all that had gone down with Adrian and with our company, I just felt like we needed to be careful. I didn't want to hurt Nelson's feelings, but I couldn't help but say something.Nelson," I burst out, trying to be calm. "Are you sure about her? I mean, I just don't know."Nelson looked at me, confused. "What are you talking about? Camila's a good girl. She's friendly to me.".I took a deep breath and put a spoon on the table. "I don't know. I ju
Chapter 142 – Quiet MovesLily's POVI did not say a word until we got home.Simeon simply acted as if nothing had happened. He came in, took off his jacket, and even smiled at me as he had a glass of water.But I was not able to contain my feelings.My heart kept racing. My hands were cold. The way Adrian showed up before us last time—his smile, his words, the way he glared at Simeon like he was about to destroy everything we had built—it kept ringing in my head."Simeon…" I whispered as I sat on the couch, holding a pillow close to my body. "Are you not worried?"He looked at me with uncomplicated eyes, like the whole affair didn't happen to him. "No."I blinked. "You're saying no what? That was Adrian. He broke into our firm—like that—and delivered a threat.""He did not deliver a threat," said Simeon, sitting down beside me. "He simply displayed his teeth.".I scowled. "That's worse. You see what he means. And the way he glared at me. as if he was threatening you as well. What if
Chapter One hundred and Fourty one – The Unexpected VisitLily's POVThe morning started off like any other.The sun was shining through the window, and the office was quiet. I had just finished talking with Simeon about the new files we needed to prepare for Vincent's team. Nelson was on the phone. Liora was scanning documents on her computer.Everything was normal.Until the elevator rang.I didn't think much of it at first. People were always coming and going. But then I heard Nelson cut off in the middle of a sentence. And I saw the color drain from his face.I turned towards the door.And there he was.Adrian.He walked in slowly, as if he owned the whole building. Dressed in a sharp black suit, dark glasses, and that smile—the sort that doesn't mean he's happy—it was proud, cold, dangerous.My heart skipped a beat.I couldn't breathe for a second. I rose from my seat, hands trembling.Simeon stood up too, but he didn't react. Not even slightly. He just gazed at Adrian as if he h