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“What do you mean she’s gone?” Jason asked, confusion creasing his eyebrows. “There’s a possibility of kidnapping,” Adan answered since Ryan was ignoring Jason. "She's not in the restroom and her phone was found on the floor."Jason’s furrowed eyebrows tightened and worry crept into him. He remarked, “That’s not possible. Lora has security always following her around. They are disguised most of the time but they are there to protect her in case of anything.”“That wouldn’t matter if a criminal is determined to kidnap someone,” Adan said just as Ryan stormed out of the restroom. “Ryan! Where are you going?” Adan called after his friend worriedly. “To check the CCTV,” Ryan replied through gritted teeth, his wounded fist leaving a trail of blood in his wake. They all went to the CCTV room while everyone in the hall wondered what was happening. Where did Ryan run off to and what about the engagement?Ivy clenched the arms of her wheelchair tightly as she endured the looks of pity from
The familiar voice sent a chill down Lora’s spine. “Ivy?” She asked, squinting her eyes to see properly. The woman crouched down to meet Lora’s stunned gaze, her sharp facial features becoming clear. She had a wicked smile on her lips and her eyes glinted with murderous intent. “The one and only,” Ivy remarked, smirking wickedly. Lora’s eyes widened into saucers. She asked, “You can walk?” Ivy laughed out loud. She shook her head and stood up straight before walking somewhere to turn on the lights. Looking at Lora’s wide eyes, she said, “Of course I can walk. What did you think? That I’m disabled? Is that why you thought you could steal Ryan from me?” “I never stole anyone from you-”“Oh, but you did! Everything was going well until you showed up! I hate you as Lora and I hated you as Larisa!” Ivy yelled hysterically. “Do you know what I did to make Ryan notice me? Who do you think you are to drop from nowhere and steal his heart so easily?” Lora frowned, not understanding Ivy
On their way to the location, Ryan’s heart kept beating like a drum. Every second that passed felt like a lifetime. What if they were too late again?What if he couldn’t save Lora and lost her again?All sorts of thoughts reeled in his mind, his heart clenching in pain. He screamed at the pilot through the headsets. “Can this thing go faster? Hurry, Lora is in danger!” “Ryan, calm down. Do you want us to crash? The helicopter is already fast enough,” Adan reasoned through the headsets. “Calm? I can’t stay calm, Adan! I just found out Larisa is still alive and she got kidnapped! What if something happens to her again? I’ll never forgive myself!” Ryan yelled, tears rolling down his cheeks. The sound of the helicopter drowned out his voice as it flew through the sky. ‘Larisa… please be safe.’‘I swear I’ll make it up to you with my life. Please… don’t die.’It didn’t take long for the helicopter to land near the warehouse. However, Ryan’s heart sank when he saw the flames that had e
Lora’s heart dropped to her feet when Ryan’s eyes closed. She panicked, her stomach churning with fear and worry. Was he dead?She shook him slightly and called out with a trembling voice. “R-Ryan…”Silence. “Ryan… wake up, you’re scaring me!” Lora cried out, her voice hoarse from the smoke she inhaled. She couldn’t move because of the heavy oak beam that had pinned Ryan and herself to the ground. It was supposed to fall on her but Ryan used his body to prevent that from happening and got hurt instead. When Lora tried to move the beam, she felt a warm liquid on Ryan’s back and her heart raced like a galloping horse, worry and fear creeping into her. He was bleeding heavily. “Ryan!” She called out, tears rolling down her cheeks when she realised he had put his life on the line for her. He was willing to die… for her.Lora’s heart clenched in pain, her tears soaking her face. She felt helpless.Luckily, help came quickly. Firefighters barged into the warehouse with hoses and axes,
"You're still my wife, Lora... we never got divorced," Ryan pointed out, his eyes locked with Lora's. Now that he was sure she was the one, Ryan had no intention of letting her go. He didn't care if she dated someone else... she was his wife and he would do whatever it takes to take her back. Lora’s heart skipped a beat at Ryan's words. He was right but...She glanced into Ryan’s gray eyes, conflicting emotions flickering through her. Sighing, she said, “I’m not Larisa anymore… the person you were married to no longer exists.”When Ryan frowned, Lora added, “Just pretend that Larisa is dead and I’m someone else named Lora Davis. You and I ended a long time ago and I moved on with Jason.” Ryan’s heart sank to the pits of his stomach. He tried to get up but pain shot through his body and he groaned from the pain. “Mr Kingsley, can you stay put? You’re going to open the wound on your back!” Lora scolded, her eyes flashing with worry. When Ryan saw her expression, he smiled and asked
Ryan’s jaw clenched and dead silence fell upon the room as he tried to take in Lora’s words. 'So, Ivy has been lying to me all this while? How long has it been since she could walk?' Ryan mused, disappointment creeping into him. It all made sense… Ivy’s refusal to hire experts who could treat her legs. The way she insisted on always being treated by her physiotherapist and no one else… Deep down, he had been suspecting that there was something wrong. Even if she refused Ryan's help, Ivy was from a wealthy family and they couldn't fail to find expert doctors who could help her walk again.However, he couldn’t directly ask about it since she got hurt because of him… it would make him look ungrateful if he became suspicious. Who knew she had been lying to him for so long? It made him wonder just how many lies she’s told. “Lora… I’ve really been a fool. To think I hurt you a lot all because of Ivy’s deception... I swear, I’ll never forgive her for this. She’s going to pay and regret
At the Williams’ mansion. Ivy paced around in her room, her heart racing erratically. She hadn’t heard anything about Lora. Was she dead?What if she got saved on time like six years ago?Ivy’s stomach churned. She had to make sure Lora was dead because she already knew her secret. Leaving her room, she went to her father’s study. “Dad, can you find out from your friend, Mr Davis if Lora is still alive?” Ivy asked her father. David Williams frowned. He glanced at his daughter and questioned, “What did you do?” “I… she was getting in the way. I had to get rid of her-”“I told you not to get involved in such things! Didn’t I say I would handle it? Why couldn’t you make Ryan fall in love with you after the path that we set for you? You wasted it and his heart got stolen by someone else!” David yelled, his nostrils flaring in anger. “I tried, Dad! I did everything I could but even the guilt of my legs couldn’t make Ryan love me! I was desperate… please find out for me. She can’t sta
Charles Kingsley narrowed his eyes. He glanced at Lora and asked, “Why not? In the eyes of the law, you two are still husband and wife.” “Um-”“Grandpa, Lora and I will work things out by ourselves,” Ryan said and Lora gave him a grateful look. “If you say so… I’m just glad that Larisa is alive! So, when am I meeting my grandkids?” Charles asked and Lora’s eyes widened. “You even know about the twins?” Lora’s face had a question mark. Did Ryan’s grandfather ask someone to investigate her?Charles nodded proudly and answered, “Of course. I found out first before everyone else. However, I won’t tell you how… it’s a secret.” “Twins? What twins?” Diane asked, feeling confused and then a lightbulb went off in her head. Her mouth rounded in shock before she exclaimed, “You and Ryan have twins? So, I’m an aunt?” Lora nodded, a smile forming on her lips at the thought of her children. She replied, “Yes. A boy and a girl. I’m sure they will be happy to meet you, Diane.”“Ah! I can’t wait!
Hello, lovely readers, We have come to the end of this book and I'm so grateful for the support I've received. Please if you can, support this book by leaving comments in the chapters and showering it with gems. It will help to make it get noticed faster. If you're new to my work, you can check out my other books on my GN profile, I'll highly appreciate it. I will be coming back soon with a new book. I hope you continue to support me even as I challenge myself as an author. Please find me on my socials using my penname. We can interact and get to know each other, haha. Thank you once more and I hope you like my next book. Love you lots. Kisses. Natie.
Months later… “Is it ok if we leave the children with you?" Ryan asked his family. It was the weekend and Ryan and Lora had decided to take the children to the Kingsley mansion so that they could spend time together. Charles Kingsley was already holding little Lucas while Miles was holding Riley. The twins had grown so fast and could now toddle around all over the place. “I don’t mind staying with them if they are this cute,” Charles remarked while making funny faces at little Lucas. Ella and Ethan were already following Diane around, asking her to take them shopping. They seemed not to care that their parents were going to leave them there. Ryan and Lora shared a look before laughing. Lora said, “It seems we are not needed.”“That’s because they know they are in safe hands,” Ryan replied. He called out to Diane, “Sis, you can use my card-”“Come on, I have my own money to spoil my niece and nephew,” Diane replied. “Besides, the only friend I have went abroad and is yet to be ba
Three months later... Adan carried Bianca into their villa. They had just arrived at the place they would spend their honeymoon at and Adan wanted to carry his wife into their villa. He went upstairs and placed her gently on the bed. Looking down at her, he grabbed her left hand and kissed her wedding ring. “I’m happy to be here with you, Mrs Nicholson,” he said in his deep velvety voice. Bianca’s face flushed pink. The last couple of weeks had been nothing but wonderful. Adan had taken her on several dates, they spent a lot of time together and had grown closer during that time. What was supposed to be an arranged loveless marriage turned out to be a marriage that they both wanted, the contract long forgotten. They held a grand wedding in the city and after the reception, they immediately got on a flight, not wanting to delay their honeymoon. After all, tonight was the first time they would make love to each other. Biting her lower lip, Bianca remarked, “I’m happy to be you
Bianca stood face to face with the woman who had run away earlier. She gulped, feeling a lump in her throat as she studied Serena Pierce’s facial features. Bianca had to admit she was beautiful. She had dark brown hair with captivating brown eyes and her body was to die for. “How can I help you?” Bianca asked, sounding a little stiff. She had no idea why the woman who had run away earlier was suddenly in her ward, so she had her guard up. “Are you worried that I’ll steal Adan away from you?” Serena answered with a question. "I heard you're having an arranged marriage."Bianca frowned, irritation flaring through her. She glanced at Serena and replied, “Look, if this is a confrontation about me staying away from Adan then please, save yourself the embarrassment and leave my ward. I don’t want to fight with you. After all, your parents saved my life.” “Do you love Adan?” Serena suddenly asked. "Or are you marrying him because you were forced to?"Silence fell over the place. Bianca
“Say that again,” Adan requested, looking into Bianca’s eyes. His heart was racing at a thousand miles per second and he could feel electric currents coursing through him, an aftereffect of the passionate kiss they just shared. Bianca’s face reddened. She bit her lower lip and sheepishly said, “I have feelings for you.” Adan felt like his heart had jumped out of his chest and soared high up into the sky. A grin formed on his lips, his eyes lit up with joy and he pulled Bianca in for a hug. “I know it will take some time for you to fall in love with me. But I’m willing to wait…” Adan remarked. The two continued to share a hug until someone at the door cleared their throat. “I see you lovebirds are getting closer.” The two pulled away from the hug and glanced at the door to see Lora and Ryan walking into the ward. Lora wore a smile on her face. She looked at her friend and was genuinely happy for her, knowing Bianca already had a crush on Adan but she didn’t want to accept it beca
"What?" Bianca blinked, her heart racing in her chest. Of all things, she didn't expect Adan to ask her such a question. "Didn't you say I wasn't your type?" She questioned, furrowing her eyebrows despite the millions of butterflies that were fluttering in her stomach. Adan chuckled. He cupped Bianca’s face and replied, "I lied. Why wouldn't you be my type? You're gorgeous. You're the most beautiful blonde, green-eyed goddess I've ever seen."Bianca’s face flushed pink. She bit her lower lip and said, "I now know why you're a playboy. Your game is smooth... if I didn't know you, I would have fallen for your charms."Hurt flickered through Adan's eyes. He sighed and replied, "I'm not a playboy. That's just what I made everyone believe." "What?" Bianca laughed. "Come on, Adan. I'm back and ok now. You don't need to come up with lies because you feel guilty for what happened. I already know why you never wanted to get married." "Bee... I don't know how to say this," Adan responded. "
Hours earlier. Bianca felt like she had been hit by a truck. Every cell in her body hurt. Breathing felt like she was swallowing molten lava. She hadn't eaten in the last two days, so she was very low on energy and her injuries were taking long to heal. "Have some soup. You're going to feel better and gain some strength," the elderly woman who had been taking care of Bianca offered. With difficulty, Bianca propped herself up and accepted the bowl. She then ate the soup quickly and the elderly woman watched her with a warm smile on her face. Bianca’s face was still swollen and bruised and it was hard to make out her facial features. "Thank you," Bianca said when she was done, her voice hoarse. "Oh don't mention it," the woman remarked. "My name is Rita Pierce. The man who saved you is my husband, Josaphat Pierce. Don't worry, you're safe here. We live with our daughter, Serena and our three grandchildren." Bianca nodded, looking around and realising she was in a modest bedroom
“Sir, we've found something.” Adan’s heart jumped to his throat at those words. He turned sharply to face one of the IT men, asking, “What did you find?” “Although we can’t see the kidnapper, we can see Miss Jones being forced into a second car on a camera near the blind spot. The license plate was fake, but we are working on tracking the make and the model to know who owns the car,” the IT man reported. “What about the thing I asked you to look into?” Adan inquired. He was referring to the background check he had ordered on Cheryl. “Yes, we did find something,” the IT man replied. “She had withdrawn about a hundred thousand dollars from her savings account two days ago. However, since she didn’t use digital transfer, we can’t trace where the money went. We just have to wait until we find the owner of the second vehicle.” Adan’s jaw clenched and Ryan placed a hand on his shoulder before squeezing it. He said, “We are going to find her, bro.”“I swear, if Cheryl has anything to do
“Are you telling me none of you were able to find my fiancee?” Adan yelled. “Then what the hell am I paying so much money for?” “We are working on it, Sir,” the IT man said. “We need time-”“Time? Does my fiancee have the luxury of time? Each second that she’s out there, she’s in danger. I need to find her as soon as possible,” Adan hissed, his eyes bloodshot from lack of sleep. It had been two days since Bianca went missing. Two days since the one who had tampered with the CCTV at the club disappeared and two days without any news about Bianca. Adan was going crazy. Who would dare kidnap his fiancee? He didn’t remember having any enemies recently. Could it have been someone with an old grudge? Grudges were not a new thing in the business world. The competition was stiff and winning certain projects meant being hated by the others who wanted the same projects. Adan hired the best hackers in the city to track Bianca. However, they were only able to find the first vehicle she was t