Chapter 28

MAX POV

Nadia looked around, her eyes scanning the parking lot to ensure no one was watching.

She didn’t notice me observing her from the restaurant window. My pulse quickened as I watched her hold the syringe steady in her hand.

“What are you doing, Nadia?” I whispered, my voice barely audible.

Before I could process what was happening, Nadia stepped closer to Richard. He had just unlocked his car and was about to open the door when she moved in swiftly.

In one quick motion, she jabbed the syringe into the side of his neck.

I froze. My breath caught in my throat as I stared in disbelief at the scene unfolding before me.

Richard staggered slightly, his hand reaching up to his neck where Nadia had pierced him. His eyes widened in shock as he turned to face her, but whatever was in that syringe seemed to take effect almost instantly.

“What the hell is going on?” I thought, my mind racing.

My world tilted as I tried to make sense of what I had just witnessed. My fiancée, the woman I thought I knew, had just done something I couldn’t fathom.

I sat there, unable to move, as Nadia calmly slid the syringe back into her handbag and looked around again. It was as if nothing had happened.

I sat frozen in disbelief, my eyes fixed on Nadia. After injecting Richard with the syringe, she moved quickly, showing no hesitation.

She yanked the car keys from Richard’s loose grip as his body swayed unsteadily. His eyes were spinning, his legs struggling to keep him upright.

“What is she doing now?” I muttered, trying to make sense of her actions.

Nadia caught him by the arm, steadying him before grabbing the bag of food he was holding. With a swift motion, she tossed the bag into the back seat of the car.

Then, as if rehearsed, she helped Richard into the back seat as well. He was barely conscious, his head lolling as she pushed him gently onto the seat and closed the door.

I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. This wasn’t just suspicious behavior…it was something far more dangerous.

“What the hell are you up to, Nadia?” I whispered, feeling my pulse race.

Nadia wasted no time. She climbed into the driver’s seat, started the engine, and drove off. The car sped out of the parking lot with purpose.

I sprang into action. Rushing to my own car, I fumbled with the keys before managing to start the engine. The tires screeched as I pulled out of the parking lot, keeping my eyes locked on Nadia’s car.

The roads weren’t crowded, which made it easier to follow her without being noticed. She was driving fast, weaving through the streets as if she had somewhere specific in mind. My mind was racing as I tried to piece everything together.

“Where are you taking him?” I asked aloud, even though no one could hear me.

The farther we drove, the more uneasy I became. Nadia wasn’t heading toward her home or Richard’s office. Instead, she was heading toward the outskirts of town, where a cluster of luxury hotel estates was located.

“Hotels? What are you planning, Nadia?” I thought, gripping the steering wheel tightly.

As I continued to follow her, my phone rang, snapping me out of my thoughts. Annoyed, I glanced at the caller ID and saw it was my secretary.

“What now?” I groaned, picking up the call.

“Mr. Max, where are you?” her voice came through the line, calm but urgent. “Lunch is over, and the board of directors from Sinclair Corporation have been waiting for you. The meeting was scheduled for twenty minutes ago.”

My stomach dropped. In the chaos of following Nadia, I had completely forgotten about the meeting.

“Damn it,” I muttered under my breath, slamming my palm against the steering wheel. “I’ll be there soon,” I lied, knowing it wasn’t true.

“Sir, they’re getting impatient,” she added. “Should I let them know you’re running late?”

“No, just... keep them there. I’ll handle it,” I said curtly before hanging up.

I stared ahead, torn between two pressing matters. The meeting was important for my career, my reputation, and everything I had been working toward. But Nadia’s strange behavior was too alarming to ignore.

For a brief moment, I considered continuing to follow her, but the thought of losing a deal with Sinclair Corporation gnawed at me. I clenched my jaw, forcing myself to make a decision.

Reluctantly, I eased off the accelerator and turned my car around.

“You win this round, Nadia,” I said bitterly, glancing at the direction her car had disappeared.

As I drove back to the office, my mind was consumed with thoughts of what I had just witnessed. The image of Nadia injecting Richard replayed over and over, making my stomach churn.

“What’s your plan, Nadia?” I muttered, gripping the steering wheel tighter. “What are you up to, and why the hell are you dragging Richard into it?”

The possibilities were endless, but none of them made sense. I couldn’t shake the feeling that whatever she was planning, it wasn’t good.

One thing was clear…I couldn’t let this slide. I needed to keep a close eye on Nadia, now more than ever.

As I drove back to the office, my mind refused to let go of the scene I had just witnessed. Nadia injecting Richard, taking his car, and driving off…it didn’t add up.

I kept asking myself the same question, What is she going to gain from all this?

Was this some elaborate scheme? If so, to what end? Richard was no ordinary man; he was influential, wealthy, and respected. Why would Nadia involve herself with him, let alone resort to such drastic actions? My grip on the steering wheel tightened as my frustration grew.

Then another thought struck me, and I hated that it did. What is their relationship?

I shook my head, trying to dismiss it, but it lingered. I couldn’t ignore the familiarity between them.