Who’s ready to save Samantha from her captives? 😁 The suspects are sure having a good time by the way.
Mia pounded on the door, her knuckles raw from the force of her knocking. “Come on, open up!”She knocked again, harder this time, but Zac still didn’t answer. It was barely 4 AM, but urgency coursed through her veins like fire.Inside, Zac wasn’t ignoring her—he was in the bathroom, showering, trying to clear his head from the haze of restless sleep. The insistent knocking pulled him out of it. He quickly grabbed a pair of shorts, put them on, and rushed to the door.The second he unlocked it, Mia, who had been leaning against it, lost her balance and stumbled forward—straight into his bare chest.Mia’s breath hitched. She looked up at him, momentarily caught off guard by the closeness—the hard lines of his torso, the faint scent of soap mixed with shampoo. It wasn’t the first time she’d seen him like this. But it still hit just as hard.She pushed herself upright, shaking off the distraction. “Zac,” she said, pulling out her phone in one swift motion. The screen lit up between them
Samantha lay still on the cold floor. Her breathing was shallow, eyes half-closed as she listened. Their boots scraped against the dusty floor, their hushed voices cutting through the thick smoke.The leader barely spared her a glance, “where are the sedatives?” he yelled.“There’s no need, she’s already knocked out.” The man who wanted to take her muttered.He knelt, pulling out his pocket knife. With quick, precise movements, he sliced through the ropes binding her ankles, then reached for her wrists. “She doesn’t look good, boss,” he said, cutting the last of the restraints.Without delay, he threw her over his shoulder, adjusting his grip.Then—the sound of gunfire cut through the air.A sharp crack split through the room. One of the men near the door jerked back, pressing his wounded arm. The remaining captors didn’t wait. They ran fast, disappearing into the smoke, slipping through open windows and narrow escape routes. They were ghosts in this place—vanishing through the hidde
More than three hours had passed, and Mia still hadn’t opened her eyes. Her breathing was faint but steady.The doctor checked her vitals once more, adjusting his stethoscope. He straightened up with the faintest trace of relief on his face.“She’s stable,” he said, making a note on his pad. “But she needs rest. Her body is depleted from severe dehydration and lack of food. It’s no surprise she hasn’t woken yet.”He glanced at Zac, a silent warning in his eyes. “She can’t keep pushing herself like this. You need to make sure she doesn’t.”Zac didn’t move from the chair beside the bed. His fingers idly traced the back of Mia’s hand, his eyes fixed on her face, searching for any sign of movements.“Of course,” he murmured, barely looking up. “She’ll stay here as long as she needs.” His eyes shifted to the chair, where Samantha sat wrapped in a blanket, her face etched with concern. “Both of them will. I’ll take care of everything.”The doctor nodded, closing his kit. “Let her rest. She’
Mia sat by the window of one of the guest rooms, staring out at the quiet private street below. She had woken up last night to find her parents there, relieved beyond words. Everyone had been excited, celebrating like their lives were a fresh start. But there was still no news. No trace of the kidnappers. No explanation for why they had wanted their wedding called off.She smiled, assured them she was fine. What else was she supposed to do? She felt better—or at least, she told herself she did. But deep down, there was still a nagging feeling that everything was somehow her fault.However, Samantha had brushed it off countless times. She was more than grateful they were both alive and safe—that was all that mattered now. *******A soft knock sounded before the door cracked open.Samantha peeked in, spotting Mia by the window, her hair damp from a morning shower.“You look like you’re waiting for a jailbreak,” Samantha said, stepping in.Mia looked at her, stretching slightly. “Yeah
“What was so important that you couldn’t tell me earlier?”She barely flinched at his tone and simply crossed her arms. “Chill. Don’t act like I was avoiding you.You spent too much time in the kitchen this morning. Before I was done taking a shower, you disappeared.”Angelo barely held back a groan. This was why he hadn’t wanted to let her in last night. But she’d given him no choice.She had punctured her own damn tire on purpose—right outside his house—then knocked on his door like she had no other option. It was an obvious setup, but at nearly midnight, with her standing there as if daring him to turn her away, he hadn’t bothered arguing.He let her in. And now, here they were.He dragged a hand down his face. “Bella—”She cut him off, her tone light. “I just wanted to tell you I have a fashion show next week. And I want you to be my plus one.”His jaw ticked. “And what makes you think I’d want to go with you?”“Besides,” he added, “that’s the same day as Zac’s wedding. I’m suppos
Mia stood in front of the tall mirror, staring at her reflection. The cream-colored wedding dress hugged her body, its bodice adorned with delicately embedded crystals that caught the light with every movement. It was breathtaking.The long-awaited wedding was finally here.One by one, the stylists and makeup artists quietly exited the room, their work complete. This was everything most girls dreamed of—a grand wedding, a stunning dress, a perfect day. But it wasn’t the fairytale she once imagined—it was a short-term marriage with the man she has feelings for.Just then, the door creaked open, and Laura—the wedding planner—stepped in. She gave Mia a quick glance, nodded in approval, then turned to leave, only to pause as Sarah entered. Her eyes shimmered with tears.Mia caught sight of her in the mirror and turned. “Mom, were you crying?” she said with a soft smile, reaching out to place a gentle hand under her mother’s chin.Her mother gave a shaky laugh, dabbing underneath her eye
The ballroom was massive, bathed in a golden glow from the grand chandeliers hanging above. Less than a hundred elegantly dressed guests filled the space, their conversations humming beneath the soft classical music. Tables were arranged meticulously, adorned with rich floral centerpieces, extravagant dishes, and bottles of the finest champagne. Everything gleamed with wealth and sophistication—Zac’s grandfather had spared no expense.Mia sat beside Zac on the raised platform, at the center of attention. She leaned in, her voice low. “Isn’t this a bit much?” Her gaze swept over the lavish decorations. “This budget is insane for a marriage that—” She stopped herself, lowering her voice even more.Zac chuckled. “Tell that to my grandfather. This is his idea of a small celebration.”Mia shook her head, exhaling deeply. “Yeah, he sure does love throwing parties.”“And this isn’t even half of it,” Zac continued. “You know he planned a ridiculously romantic honeymoon for us?”Mia blinked.
“Get your hands off my butt, Sir! I’m warning you.” Mia pulled her arm free from his hold, disgust rising in her chest as she grasped a nearby table for support. “And what if I don’t?" he whispered, squeezing his hold tighter. "What comes next, darling?" The charity event thrummed with affluence and power—men in customized suits, women adorned in high fashion, and secrets exchanged over glasses of vintage wine. Soft jazz played in the background, enhancing the lively, cheerful ambiance. Mia was only twenty-two, yet the man beside her, old enough to be her father, didn't seem to care. Seth Cornell—Vice Chairman of the ZIRCONS Group. A name powerful enough to silence a room. The guests’ identities were deliberately concealed for privacy, and their names were replaced with numbered tags. But she wasn’t here for names, for power plays, or for whatever game men like him indulged in. Her task was simple: obtain a saliva sample from VIP01—Seth Cornell—and leave. “Let… go!” Mia str
The ballroom was massive, bathed in a golden glow from the grand chandeliers hanging above. Less than a hundred elegantly dressed guests filled the space, their conversations humming beneath the soft classical music. Tables were arranged meticulously, adorned with rich floral centerpieces, extravagant dishes, and bottles of the finest champagne. Everything gleamed with wealth and sophistication—Zac’s grandfather had spared no expense.Mia sat beside Zac on the raised platform, at the center of attention. She leaned in, her voice low. “Isn’t this a bit much?” Her gaze swept over the lavish decorations. “This budget is insane for a marriage that—” She stopped herself, lowering her voice even more.Zac chuckled. “Tell that to my grandfather. This is his idea of a small celebration.”Mia shook her head, exhaling deeply. “Yeah, he sure does love throwing parties.”“And this isn’t even half of it,” Zac continued. “You know he planned a ridiculously romantic honeymoon for us?”Mia blinked.
Mia stood in front of the tall mirror, staring at her reflection. The cream-colored wedding dress hugged her body, its bodice adorned with delicately embedded crystals that caught the light with every movement. It was breathtaking.The long-awaited wedding was finally here.One by one, the stylists and makeup artists quietly exited the room, their work complete. This was everything most girls dreamed of—a grand wedding, a stunning dress, a perfect day. But it wasn’t the fairytale she once imagined—it was a short-term marriage with the man she has feelings for.Just then, the door creaked open, and Laura—the wedding planner—stepped in. She gave Mia a quick glance, nodded in approval, then turned to leave, only to pause as Sarah entered. Her eyes shimmered with tears.Mia caught sight of her in the mirror and turned. “Mom, were you crying?” she said with a soft smile, reaching out to place a gentle hand under her mother’s chin.Her mother gave a shaky laugh, dabbing underneath her eye
“What was so important that you couldn’t tell me earlier?”She barely flinched at his tone and simply crossed her arms. “Chill. Don’t act like I was avoiding you.You spent too much time in the kitchen this morning. Before I was done taking a shower, you disappeared.”Angelo barely held back a groan. This was why he hadn’t wanted to let her in last night. But she’d given him no choice.She had punctured her own damn tire on purpose—right outside his house—then knocked on his door like she had no other option. It was an obvious setup, but at nearly midnight, with her standing there as if daring him to turn her away, he hadn’t bothered arguing.He let her in. And now, here they were.He dragged a hand down his face. “Bella—”She cut him off, her tone light. “I just wanted to tell you I have a fashion show next week. And I want you to be my plus one.”His jaw ticked. “And what makes you think I’d want to go with you?”“Besides,” he added, “that’s the same day as Zac’s wedding. I’m suppos
Mia sat by the window of one of the guest rooms, staring out at the quiet private street below. She had woken up last night to find her parents there, relieved beyond words. Everyone had been excited, celebrating like their lives were a fresh start. But there was still no news. No trace of the kidnappers. No explanation for why they had wanted their wedding called off.She smiled, assured them she was fine. What else was she supposed to do? She felt better—or at least, she told herself she did. But deep down, there was still a nagging feeling that everything was somehow her fault.However, Samantha had brushed it off countless times. She was more than grateful they were both alive and safe—that was all that mattered now. *******A soft knock sounded before the door cracked open.Samantha peeked in, spotting Mia by the window, her hair damp from a morning shower.“You look like you’re waiting for a jailbreak,” Samantha said, stepping in.Mia looked at her, stretching slightly. “Yeah
More than three hours had passed, and Mia still hadn’t opened her eyes. Her breathing was faint but steady.The doctor checked her vitals once more, adjusting his stethoscope. He straightened up with the faintest trace of relief on his face.“She’s stable,” he said, making a note on his pad. “But she needs rest. Her body is depleted from severe dehydration and lack of food. It’s no surprise she hasn’t woken yet.”He glanced at Zac, a silent warning in his eyes. “She can’t keep pushing herself like this. You need to make sure she doesn’t.”Zac didn’t move from the chair beside the bed. His fingers idly traced the back of Mia’s hand, his eyes fixed on her face, searching for any sign of movements.“Of course,” he murmured, barely looking up. “She’ll stay here as long as she needs.” His eyes shifted to the chair, where Samantha sat wrapped in a blanket, her face etched with concern. “Both of them will. I’ll take care of everything.”The doctor nodded, closing his kit. “Let her rest. She’
Samantha lay still on the cold floor. Her breathing was shallow, eyes half-closed as she listened. Their boots scraped against the dusty floor, their hushed voices cutting through the thick smoke.The leader barely spared her a glance, “where are the sedatives?” he yelled.“There’s no need, she’s already knocked out.” The man who wanted to take her muttered.He knelt, pulling out his pocket knife. With quick, precise movements, he sliced through the ropes binding her ankles, then reached for her wrists. “She doesn’t look good, boss,” he said, cutting the last of the restraints.Without delay, he threw her over his shoulder, adjusting his grip.Then—the sound of gunfire cut through the air.A sharp crack split through the room. One of the men near the door jerked back, pressing his wounded arm. The remaining captors didn’t wait. They ran fast, disappearing into the smoke, slipping through open windows and narrow escape routes. They were ghosts in this place—vanishing through the hidde
Mia pounded on the door, her knuckles raw from the force of her knocking. “Come on, open up!”She knocked again, harder this time, but Zac still didn’t answer. It was barely 4 AM, but urgency coursed through her veins like fire.Inside, Zac wasn’t ignoring her—he was in the bathroom, showering, trying to clear his head from the haze of restless sleep. The insistent knocking pulled him out of it. He quickly grabbed a pair of shorts, put them on, and rushed to the door.The second he unlocked it, Mia, who had been leaning against it, lost her balance and stumbled forward—straight into his bare chest.Mia’s breath hitched. She looked up at him, momentarily caught off guard by the closeness—the hard lines of his torso, the faint scent of soap mixed with shampoo. It wasn’t the first time she’d seen him like this. But it still hit just as hard.She pushed herself upright, shaking off the distraction. “Zac,” she said, pulling out her phone in one swift motion. The screen lit up between them
Just as Mia reached the top, Zac was stepping out of his room. They collided hard, nearly knocking each other over. “Mia?” His hands gripped her arms, steadying her. “Are you okay? What’s going on?” She was breathless, her chest rising and falling as she tried to speak. “Mia?” His brows furrowed. “Did they call you?” “No,” she gasped, shaking her head quickly. “No, not at all. But I think… I think there’s a way. A possibility we can get to her.” His grip loosened slightly. “Alright,” he said, “let’s hear it.” He guided her inside his bedroom—her second time being here. It was familiar now, though the circumstances were far from comfortable. Mia turned to him, her eyes sharp with urgency. “We need to contact Xiang.” Zac’s eyes darkened instantly. His jaw clenched, arms crossing over his chest. “Xiang?” he repeated with a sharp tone. “Why the hell would we contact him?” He sighed. “What if he had a hand in the kidnapping?” Mia shook her head firmly. “No. I know Xiang. He might
“You’ll be leading us straight to our own graves,” Fred muttered.Mia’s nostrils flared in anger as she clenched her fists so tightly until her nails dug into her palms. Her body trembled, but she forced herself to stay quiet, swallowing the fury burning inside her.Zac was surprised at Fred’s reaction, but he knew better than to argue with his future father-in-law. “Mr. Williams, we’re doing our very best to ensure Samantha’s safe return.” He glanced at Mia before continuing, “If you’ll excuse me.” He nodded toward the security guard and headed outside. Angelo followed shortly after, leaving Mia with her mother.The moment the door shut, Mia’s fury exploded.“What the hell are you saying, Dad?” She whirled on Fred, her voice almost shaking. “You don’t get to decide what’s best here!”Fred’s jaw tightened. “Mia—”“You don’t even know half of what’s going on!” Mia retorted.Sarah, who had been silent until now, placed a hand on Mia’s arm. “Mia, I think you should consider what your f