“What is it?” Adam asked in a low voice filled with concern.Francis ended the call quickly and turned to face them. “It’s Mom and Dad. They’re at the Westbrook private airstrip.”“What do you mean they’re at the airstrip?” Adam asked in surprise. “Weren’t they supposed to be in Europe until next month?”Chloe felt her stomach tighten. She hadn’t expected her parents back so soon, and neither had Adam or Francis. The original plan was for them to return at the end of the month, but clearly, their parents had made other arrangements. Her nerves, already frayed from the board meeting, now buzzed with anticipation.Francis rubbed the back of his neck, still looking at his phone. “Yeah, well, leave it to them to do the unexpected. I guess they wrapped up business early.” His voice softened slightly. “They want to see us.”Chloe felt a lump form in her throat. Meeting her parents for the first time since reclaiming the Westbrook name was an overwhelming thought. She had no idea what they
Mrs. Warren gently guided Chloe down the hall after Uncle Henry’s departure, her soft hand resting lightly on Chloe’s arm, as if offering silent support. They moved in comfortable silence at first, the weight of Uncle Henry’s words still hanging over Chloe like a dark cloud.Finally, Mrs. Warren’s warm voice broke the silence. “If you’re thinking about how much you don’t like him,” she said softly, “trust me, you’re not alone.”Chloe smiled despite herself, turning her head toward the familiar voice. “You don’t like him too?”Mrs. Warren let out a soft chuckle. “He’s not the easiest man to get along with, I’ll admit. But I’ve been around the Westbrooks long enough to know who has the family’s best interests at heart.” She paused, her voice becoming more serious. “And you do, Chloe. Don’t let him get to you.”Chloe’s heart warmed at Mrs. Warren’s kind words, but the doubt from her encounter with Uncle Henry still gnawed at her. “It’s hard not to,” she admitted. “He seems so sure that
“This is Officer Grant with the local police. I’m calling about an accident involving your family.”Chloe’s blood ran cold, her grip tightening around the phone. “An accident?” she whispered.“There’s been a serious car accident,” Officer Grant continued grimly. “Your brothers, Adam and Francis, along with your parents, have all been involved. They’re being rushed to City General Hospital.”Chloe’s mind went blank for a moment, the words not fully sinking in. “Are they... are they okay?” she managed to ask, her voice trembling.“I don’t have full details yet, but they’re alive. Emergency services are on-site, and they’re doing everything they can.”Chloe felt her knees weaken as she struggled to process the information. Her family. All of them. The world seemed to tilt around her, the room closing in as her breath quickened.“I… I n-need to... I need to get to the hospital,” Chloe’s voice shook as she spoke.“Of course, Ms. Westbrook,” Officer Grant said gently. “The hospital will hav
“As for your parents..." The receptionist paused, her voice softening. "They’re both in critical condition and in surgery now."Chloe felt the floor tilt beneath her. Her parents. Critical condition. Surgery. The words echoed in her mind, bouncing around with no real meaning at first until they hit her all at once. They were fighting for their lives.Mrs. Warren tightened her grip on Chloe’s arm. "It’s okay, Chloe. We’ll go to your brothers first, and the doctors will update us on your parents when they can."Chloe nodded numbly, allowing herself to be guided toward the emergency wing. Her mind struggled to catch up, her emotions teetering on the edge of control. She needed to keep it together, but her heart was in freefall.They reached the emergency room, and as soon as Chloe entered, they were met with the nurse who was about leaving.“How’s he?” Mrs Warren asked.The nurse turned to look at Adam before facing Mrs Warrem. “Honestly, it’s kind of bad. A broken collarbone, two crack
Someone had tried to kill her family.Chloe sat beside Francis’s bed long after he had fallen back into a fitful sleep, her hand still lightly resting on his. The rhythmic beeping of the machines monitoring his vitals was the only sound in the room, but her mind was far from quiet.Tampered brakes. The words echoed in her mind, growing louder and more sinister with each passing second. Someone had tried to hurt them. Maybe even kill them. It wasn’t just a freak accident. It was planned—targeted. But by whom? And why?She gently released Francis’s hand, her fingers trembling as she stood. Mrs. Warren was waiting outside, giving her space but close enough to be there if needed. Chloe leaned on her cane, the weight of the day’s events pressing down on her shoulders. As she stepped out of the room, Mrs. Warren approached with concern etched across her face.“How’s he doing?” she asked softly.Chloe shook her head, her voice weak. “He’s... stable, but in pain. They said he’ll need week
“You’ve got to hold it together, Chloe,” Adam continued. “You’re the only one left standing. We need you to step up.”Chloe’s breath hitched. Me? She had barely come to terms with being back in the Westbrook family, let alone taking on the responsibility of the entire empire. Her hands trembled as she gripped the chair beside her, her mind spinning.“I don’t... I don’t know if I can,” Chloe whispered in a shaky voice. “I don’t know anything about running a company. How am I supposed to—”“You don’t have a choice,” Adam cut her off. His tone was harsh, bordering on desperation. “You’re a Westbrook, Chloe. That name carries more weight than you realize. The board, the shareholders—they’ll listen to you, but only if you show them you’re strong enough to lead.”Chloe shook her head, tears welling in her eyes. “But I—”“Chloe,” Adam cut her off, his voice was steady despite the pain etched on his face. “I’ve seen you fight through things people can’t even imagine. You didn’t let the world
The next hour was a whirlwind. Chloe barely had time to process Adam's words before his assistant, Marcus, arrived at the hospital to pick her up. Adam had made the calls, and everything was moving fast—too fast. You’ve got to step up, Chloe. You’re the only one left. Adam’s voice echoed in her ears as Mrs. Warren led her to the parking lot.As they pulled out of the hospital parking lot, Marcus’s calm voice cut through her spiraling thoughts. "The board members are gathering, and the media’s already at the building. They know about the accident."Chloe’s heart raced. "And they know about my parents’ condition?""Only what’s been reported publicly—critical, no specifics. But the board’s uneasy. Stocks are dropping. People are panicking. They need someone to reassure them."Chloe pressed her hands against her legs, trying to steady herself. Me? Reassure them? She wasn’t ready for this, not even close. But with Adam and Francis in the hospital and her parents fighting for their lives,
“We will be holding an immediate vote,” Sterling continued. “The board will decide whether you are the right person to take temporary control of Westbrook Industries or if we should consider other candidates—your uncle, Henry Westbrook, included.”Chloe’s pulse raced as Robert Sterling’s words sank in. ‘An immediate vote?’ She hadn’t expected this. It was all happening too fast. She opened her mouth to speak but her voice was shaky.“That’s not fair,” Chloe countered, her frustration bubbling to the surface. “My family is in the hospital. My father built this company. I should be given time to—”Sterling raised his hand, maintaining a neutral but stern expression on his face. “Ms. Westbrook, fairness doesn’t change the reality we’re facing. Westbrook Industries cannot be without leadership, not even for a day. Stocks are plummeting, investors are pulling out, and the media is circling like vultures. The board is within its rights to elect a leader.”Chloe clenched her fists, trying t
The ride to the hospital was calm, with the sound of the car engine providing a steady background to Chloe’s thoughts. She had asked Leo to take her there to see her brothers first before driving her home.Sitting beside Leo, she found herself nervously fidgeting with the hem of her shirt.“You’re unusually quiet,” Leo said softly, his voice breaking the silence.Chloe tilted her head in his direction, offering a faint smile. “Just thinking,” she admitted. “About Adam and Francis. I can’t imagine how worried they’ve been.”“They’ll feel better seeing you,” Leo reassured her. “It’ll do them good to know you’re safe.”She nodded, her fingers tightening slightly on the fabric. “Thank you for bringing me here. I couldn’t go home without seeing them first.”The hospital came into sight, its plain outside shining softly in the afternoon light. As they pulled into the driveway, Chloe took a deep breath, steeling herself for what was sure to be an emotional reunion.Inside, the soft beeping o
Morning light filtered softly through the curtains, casting muted shadows across the guest room. Chloe stirred beneath the warm covers, her senses gradually awakening to the faint scent of lavender lingering in the air. The sound of a low, hushed voice caught her attention, drawing her from the edges of sleep.She remained still, her head resting lightly against the pillow, as she strained to catch the words.“...need to find out who it was,” Leo’s voice murmured in a firm but quiet voice. “I don’t care what it takes. They targeted her, and I won’t let it go unanswered.”There was a pause, presumably the other person responding. Leo’s tone softened but held its edge. “Just keep me updated. I want answers soon.”The line clicked off, and Chloe heard the faint rustle of movement. She let her breathing remain slow and even, unsure if she should acknowledge what she’d overheard. Before she could decide, Leo’s voice broke the quiet again.“Chloe?” he said softly, closer now. “You’re awak
The dining room grew quiet again as the remnants of their dinner were cleared away. Chloe sat back in her chair, her fingers tracing the edge of her napkin. Despite the tension of the past few days, this moment of calm felt precious, even fleeting. She exhaled softly, feeling her shoulders relax for the first time since the ordeal began.“Chloe,” Leo began, breaking the silence with a thoughtful tone. “Would you like to take a stroll? Stretch your legs a bit?”She tilted her head, intrigued. “A stroll?”“Just around the mansion,” he said. “It’s quiet this time of night. I can show you the garden, maybe even the library if you’d like.”Her lips quirked into a faint smile. “A guided tour of the Leo King estate? How could I say no?”Leo chuckled as he stood, moving to her side to offer his arm. “Shall we?”Chloe hesitated for a moment before taking his arm. “You’re the one who’s supposed to be resting, you know,” she reminded him in a teasing tone.“I’ll be fine,” he replied smoothly. “
When Chloe woke up, the room was a bit dark and silent. The gentle sound of the air conditioning and the far-off footsteps were all that suggested that there was life in the mansion somewhere. Chloe was now lying in bed, feeling the soft mattress underneath her, which was very different from the chair where she had dozed off.She sat up slowly, disoriented for a moment. Her hands brushed against the soft sheets, and a faint scent of lavender lingered in the air. The faint ache in her muscles from the events of the day before made her sigh softly.“You’re finally awake,” a familiar voice said from somewhere nearby in a warm and teasing tone.Chloe turned her head toward the sound, a small smile tugging at her lips. “Leo,” she said softly. “You’re out of bed. You shouldn’t be up. You should be resting.”“Don’t tell me you’re going to be one of those grumpy nurses who would keep me in bed all day if they could,” he quipped with a faint chuckle in his voice.Chloe couldn’t help but laugh
The room was still and quiet, the only sound you could hear was the soft, rhythmic beeping of the monitors beside Leo’s bed. Shadows from the dim overhead light played across the walls, creating a calm amidst the storm that had torn through the night.Chloe sat slumped in the chair beside him, her head resting on the edge of his bed. Her breathing was soft, her face turned slightly toward him, her fingers still curled around his hand as if even in sleep, she couldn’t let him go.Leo’s eyes fluttered open slowly, his vision hazy and blurred at first. The ache in his chest was a dull throb, a reminder of the bullet that had narrowly missed his heart. He blinked, the fog lifting as his gaze focused on the figure beside him.Chloe.For a moment, he simply watched her. Strands of her hair fell across her face, and her lips were parted slightly in the relaxed stillness of sleep. Despite the exhaustion evident in the dark circles beneath her eyes, there was a softness to her features that
The room was dimly lit, filled with sweat and the smell of cigarette smoke. Signs of earlier chaos were everywhere, with debris scattered around and chairs turned over. The man in charge of the kidnap, a wiry man with a gaunt face and sharp, hawk-like eyes, paced back and forth, his boots thudding heavily against the concrete floor.Before him, three men knelt, their faces bruised, blood trickling down from cuts on their foreheads and lips. Each bore the aftermath of a mission gone disastrously wrong, but they kept their heads bowed, too terrified to meet their leader’s burning gaze.The wiry man suddenly stopped, his eyes narrowing on the closest man. “Just thirty damn minutes. Thirty!” he snarled, his voice echoing sharply against the cold, bare walls. “I told you to watch her, to keep her contained. All you had to do was scare her. Make her sweat a little. That’s it!”He took a step closer, his fists clenched at his sides. “And not only do you mess it up,” he growled, his voice dr
The office building had grown eerily quiet, the usual hum of activity replaced by the oppressive weight of uncertainty. Marcus paced in Chloe’s office, her cane and phone resting on the desk where he’d placed them after retrieving them from the floor outside. Every so often, his eyes darted to his watch. Over an hour had passed since Leo had taken off with Chloe. No updates. No calls.Marcus stared at his phone, his thumb hovering over Leo’s number. He’d called twice already, and each time, the line went straight to voicemail. “Damn it,” he muttered under his breath, shoving the phone back into his pocket.The silence in the room felt deafening. Marcus’s mind raced with worst-case scenarios. What if something had gone wrong? What if the men who had taken Chloe had backup? What if—No. He shook his head, forcing himself to stay calm. Leo would handle it. He promised he would. But the nagging feeling in his gut told him otherwise. He had waited long enough.Taking a deep breath, Marcu
Anton gripped the steering wheel tightly, his knuckles white as he pressed the accelerator, speeding through the city’s streets with no regard for traffic lights or the blare of honking horns. The SUV roared past intersections, weaving through traffic like a predator hunting its prey. In the back seat, Chloe held Leo’s limp body against her, her tears staining his shirt as she tried to steady him.Her chest heaved with sobs, her mind consumed with guilt. “This is my fault,” she whispered in a trembling voice. “He’s hurt because of me. If I hadn’t been—”“Enough!” Anton’s voice interrupted her. “He’s not dead yet, so stop crying over him like he is. Save it for later, when he can yell at you himself.”Chloe flinched at his tone, biting her lip to hold back her tears. She knew he was right—her tears wouldn’t help Leo now—but the feel of his blood soaking through his shirt, his shaky breaths, and the shallow rise and fall of his chest shattered her resolve. She nodded weakly, holding
A moment later, another set of footsteps entered the room—a slower and more deliberate one.“Chloe?” The familiar voice called out.Chloe’s breath caught in her throat. “Leo?” she whispered, disbelief and relief flooding her at once.Leo’s voice was calm yet clear, piercing the musty atmosphere of the dimly lit room. “I’d be careful if I were you.” His gun was raised, trained with deadly precision on the man holding Chloe.The kidnapper paused for a moment, keeping his gun aimed at Chloe, his hand tightening around the handle. “You wouldn’t put her life in danger,” he sneered, but the slight tremor in his voice revealed his doubt.Leo’s eyes burned with cold fury. “You think I won’t put a bullet in your head before you can even pull that trigger?” His words carried no bravado, only the lethal certainty of a man who had done worse for less.The man hesitated, his resolve faltering under Leo’s intense gaze. “I just do my job, alright? Nothing personal. You want her back? Let me walk out