+25 BONUS
Chapter 277
+25 BONUS
Chapter 277
Madison
The rain pounded relentlessly against the windows of Alexander’s car as we navigated the dark, labyrinthine streets of New York. Each droplet seemed to hammer against the glass with a sense of urgency, mirroring the rapid, anxious beating of my heart.
The city lights outside transformed into a mesmerizing kaleidoscope of colors, diffused and distorted by the rain -streaked windows. This created an almost dreamlike atmosphere that contrasted sharply with the tension coiling inside the car.
“You’re quiet,” Alexander observed, his eyes fixed on the road ahead.
“Just wondering what we’re going to find,” I replied, watching his profile in the dim light. The sharp angles of his face looked even more severe in the shadows. “You haven’t exactly been forthcoming about where we’re going.”
“Vanessa Caldwell,” he said simply.
My head snapped toward him. “And we’re just… what? Going to have a friendly chat with the woman who tried to drug you?”
Alexander’s mouth curved into a cold smile, sending shivers down my spine. “Something like that.”
We turned off the main road onto a street lined with warehouses. At this hour, the industrial area looked completely deserted, with not a single person around except for us. The silence was almost eerie, broken only by the soft patter of rain.
“This doesn’t look like somewhere Vanessa Caldwell would hang out,” I said, eyeing the decrepit buildings suspiciously. “Isn’t she more the champagne–and–caviar type?”
“She is.” Alexander slowed the car, pulling up to a massive warehouse with blacked–out windows. “Which is why she’ll hate every second of being here.”
My stomach tightened. “Alexander, what exactly are we doing?”
He parked the car and turned to face me, his expression unreadable in the dim light. “Getting answers. That’s all.”
“That’s all?” I raised an eyebrow. “You dragged me to an abandoned warehouse in the middle of the night to‘ get answers‘? This feels like a mob movie.”
A ghost of a smile touched his lips. “Trust me, Madison. I wouldn’t put you in danger.”
“Said every man in a horror film ever,” I muttered, but I was already unbuckling my seatbelt.
Alexander chuckled as he got out of the car, coming around to open my door before I had the chance. The rain had lessened to a light drizzle, but the air was thick with moisture and the scent of wet concrete.
“Stay close,” he said as we approached the building.
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Chapter 277
+25 BONUS
A security camera tracked our movement, and the heavy metal door buzzed open before we reached it. Inside, the warehouse was surprisingly clean and well–lit, though mostly empty except for some shipping containers stacked against one wall.
Leo appeared from a hallway to our right, his usual easy smile replaced with a grim expression. “You made it. We’re set up in the back room.”
“How’s our guest?” Alexander asked, his tone casual but with an undercurrent of steel.
“Vocal,” Leo replied dryly. “Very vocal.”
I followed them down a narrow corridor, my heels clicking loudly against the concrete floor. Alexander slowed his pace to match mine.
“You don’t have to do this,” he said quietly. “You can wait in the car if you prefer.”
“And miss all the fun?” I tried for lightness, but my voice betrayed my nervousness. “Not a chance, Mr. Knight.”
His eyes softened momentarily before his mask of cool detachment slipped back into place. “As you wish, Ms. Harper.”
Leo stopped at a metal door and punched in a code. The lock clicked, and he pushed it open to reveal a sparse room with concrete walls. In the center of the room sat Vanessa Caldwell, bound to a chair. Her designer dress was rumpled, her once immaculate hair now a tangled mess, and a strip of tape covered her mouth. Dr. Anthony Williams stood nearby, his arms crossed tightly over his chest.
My stomach dropped. This was definitely not what I’d expected when Alexander said we were going to “get
answers.”
Vanessa’s eyes widened when she saw Alexander, a mixture of rage and fear flashing across her face. She tried to speak, but the tape muffled her words into unintelligible sounds.
Alexander approached her slowly, his movements predatory. “Hello, Vanessa. Comfortable?”
She thrashed against her restraints, making angry noises behind the tape.
“I think she wants to speak,” Leo said dryly.
Alexander nodded. “Let’s hear what she has to say.” He reached forward and ripped the tape off her mouth in one swift motion.
Vanessa gasped, then immediately launched into a tirade. “How DARE you! Do you have any idea who I am? Who my father is? When I get out of here-”
“You’ll what?” Alexander cut her off. “Call Daddy? Tell him how you drugged a CEO at a public event?”
“You’re insane! Untie me right now, or I swear I’ll ruin you!” Her voice echoed off the concrete walls. “This is kidnapping! Assault!”
Alexander’s hand moved so fast I barely saw it. The sound of the slap cracked through the room like a gunshot.
“Why did you drug me?” His voice was deadly calm.
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Vanessa’s head snapped to the side from the impact. For a moment, she looked stunned, a red mark blooming on her cheek. Then her eyes narrowed.
“What the hell are you talking about? What bullshit is this?” She spat the words at him, not a hint of fear in her voice despite her position.
Alexander leaned down, placing his hands on the armrests of her chair, bringing his face inches from hers. Selena Johnson. Remember her? Your old college friend? She told us everything.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Really? That’s interesting, because Selena remembers you quite clearly. Remembers how you flew her to New York, put her up at the Plaza, gave her ten thousand dollars and a little vial to slip into my drink.”
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Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
