The Attention 369

The Attention 369 Summary

In Chapter 368 of “The Attention 369,” Mirabelle receives a phone call from Daniel, who claims he has crucial information about her kidnapping. Despite her apprehension, she agrees to meet him at a café near her studio. Upon arriving, she finds Daniel looking disheveled and distressed, revealing that Rhys was the mastermind behind her abduction. He explains how Rhys and Frank conspired to kidnap her for financial gain, manipulating her emotions to achieve their goals. The revelation shatters Mirabelle’s memories of the boy she once adored, leaving her with a heavy heart filled with disbelief and sorrow.

As the chapter progresses, Mirabelle struggles to process Daniel’s shocking revelations. She learns that Rhys had planned to use her vulnerability to regain her trust, ultimately leading to a fatal accident that would benefit him financially. Despite the pain of this truth, Mirabelle remains composed, refusing to inquire further about Rhys’s whereabouts, as she wishes to maintain the fragile trust she has rebuilt with Ashton. Just as she prepares to leave, Daniel unexpectedly sprays something in her face, rendering her unconscious and plunging her into darkness.

In Chapter 369, the narrative shifts to Ashton’s perspective, who receives an urgent alert about Mirabelle’s kidnapping. He swiftly mobilizes his team to secure her family and rushes to the location where she has been taken. Upon arriving at an abandoned building, Ashton confronts Daniel, who threatens Mirabelle with a knife. The tension escalates as Ashton remains silent, assessing the situation and preparing to act. Daniel’s desperation to save Rhys becomes apparent, but Ashton is resolute in his determination to protect Mirabelle at all costs.

As the standoff unfolds, Ashton’s focus shifts between rescuing Mirabelle and dealing with Daniel’s threats. Despite Daniel’s pleas to spare his family, Ashton remains unmoved, recognizing that Daniel’s actions have put everyone in danger. The confrontation culminates in a physical struggle, where Ashton swiftly disarms Daniel and secures Mirabelle. The chapter ends with Ashton carrying Mirabelle to safety, filled with a mix of relief and anger, knowing that the reckless decision to meet Daniel alone could have cost her dearly.

Continue Regular Chapter Reading Below

**TITLE: The Attention 369**

**Chapter 368: More to the Story**

“What is it?” I inquired, a hint of trepidation threading through my voice.

“It’s about your kidnapping from some time ago,” Daniel replied, pausing for a moment as if weighing his words carefully. “The truth of what happened… it isn’t what you think. I want to explain, but not over the phone. Can we meet?”

“Where?” I pressed, my heart beginning to race.

“Let’s meet near your studio. I’ll wait for you in that café on the high street,” he suggested, his tone urgent.

After ending the call, I found myself mulling over his words. There was a sincerity in Daniel’s voice that caught my attention; he didn’t sound deceitful. Yet, Ashton’s investigation had already pointed the finger at Rhys and Frank as the culprits behind my abduction. Was it possible that there was more to this tangled web of deceit? Daniel and Rhys had always clashed, but they were still half-brothers. Perhaps Daniel held insights I had yet to grasp.

Once I felt prepared, I instructed the driver to take me to the studio. The familiarity of the area enveloped me, guiding my steps as I made my way directly to the café. As I entered, my gaze landed on Daniel almost instantly.

He appeared worn down, a bandage wrapped around his forehead and stubble shadowing his jawline. His eyes were bloodshot, betraying a lack of sleep that suggested he had been through a considerable ordeal. At that moment, I barely recognized the man sitting before me.

“Mirabelle,” he said, rising awkwardly as our eyes met.

I offered a curt nod and took my seat across from him, cutting straight to the chase. “You said you had something important to tell me. So, tell me.”

“I’m sorry,” he murmured, his gaze dropping to the table.

In an instant, I understood the weight of his words. “You lied to me.”

“No, no! The thing I want to tell you is true,” he protested, shaking his head vehemently. “It’s something else I’m sorry for.”

His vague replies only deepened my confusion. “I just want to know the truth about the kidnapping. Please, get to the point.”

He met my eyes, his expression a tumult of emotions. “Rhys was involved.”

“I already know that,” I replied, my frown deepening.

“No, you don’t understand. Rhys was the mastermind behind it all,” he insisted, urgency lacing his voice. “After Frank got out of prison, he approached Rhys for money. Rhys refused, but Frank had some kind of leverage over him, something he used to blackmail him. Rhys felt trapped, so he devised a plan to target you. After all, you had married Ashton, and you controlled all that money Frank had left behind. Frank agreed to the scheme. They fabricated that recording together, creating an excuse for Rhys to contact you, to worm his way into your trust. That’s how they learned your schedule and managed to kidnap you so effortlessly.”

He paused, taking a shaky breath, gathering his thoughts before continuing. “They knew they couldn’t confront Ashton directly, so the original plan was to take you abroad. Making you call Ashton was just a cruel ruse, a way to give you hope before snatching it away. Rhys believed that after such an emotional upheaval, you would be vulnerable. He thought that, combined with your past together… he could make you fall for him again. Then, he’d convince you to write a will, leaving everything to him. After that, you’d just… have a fatal accident.”

I listened in silence, my heart heavy with the weight of his revelations. The Rhys I once adored in high school—the athletic, cheerful, and charming boy—was a distant memory. Yet, hearing the depths to which he had sunk left a bitter ache in my chest, a complex mixture of sorrow and disbelief.

“Do you know where Frank is now?” I asked, my voice steady despite the turmoil inside.

Daniel shook his head. “No. But I know where Rhys is.”

When I didn’t press further, Daniel’s agitation grew palpable. “Don’t you want to know where Rhys is?”

“No,” I replied firmly, shaking my head. I truly didn’t want to know.

After my rescue, Ashton’s men had taken Rhys for questioning. As of now, he was either in police custody or still detained by Ashton’s team. I knew that if I asked Ashton, he would tell me. But I hesitated; I didn’t want to jeopardize the fragile trust we had painstakingly rebuilt. He had drawn a clear boundary with Genevieve for my sake. I could do the same for him and sever all ties with Rhys completely.

“Thank you for telling me,” I said flatly, preparing to stand up and leave.

But just as I moved, Daniel spoke again, his voice laced with regret. “Mirabelle, I’m sorry.”

It was the second time he had apologized. Before I could inquire about what he meant, he sprang to his feet and sprayed something directly into my face.

Suddenly, everything went black.

**Chapter 369: Ashton’s POV: Courtesy’s Off the Table**

I received the alert about Mira’s kidnapping almost instantaneously.

I always had a team shadowing her, but today, since she hadn’t planned to go out, the detail had become lax. By the time the on-duty agent arrived at the café, she had already been drugged and taken.

The moment I got the report, I barked at Dominic, “Secure the entire Granger family. Do it now.”

Then, I rushed over with Harry to the address from the text.

It was an abandoned building.

We made our way up to the rooftop. The instant we stepped out, I spotted Daniel fumbling with a knife, pressing it against Mirabelle’s throat, his voice shaky as he blustered, “Don’t move! Don’t come any closer!”

He dared to threaten my woman? That meant all notions of courtesy were out the window.

I halted in my tracks and snapped over my shoulder to Harry, “Get Clive Granger, Louisa Granger, and Willow Granger under control. Bring them here.”

Harry stiffened, a look of determination on his face. “Yes, sir.”

Daniel shouted, “Mr. Laurent, I’m sorry! I didn’t want to do this, but I have no choice! Release Rhys, and I’ll give Mirabelle back. I know your men have him.”

I remained silent.

Daniel continued, “He made a stupid mistake, I know, but Rhys is still my half-brother. I can’t just let you keep him prisoner and torture him.”

I still said nothing.

My silence clearly unnerved him. Daniel was becoming increasingly twitchy.

Twenty minutes later, I noticed movement behind us.

My guards brought Clive, Louisa, and Willow onto the roof. Louisa was unconscious, while Willow sobbed quietly, and Clive seethed with rage but felt utterly powerless.

When Clive caught sight of me, he roared, “If you want to take someone, take me! Don’t touch Louisa. She’s ill!”

I merely let out a cold laugh, my focus returning to Daniel.

He was slumped on the ground, the knife trembling in his hand as it hovered near Mirabelle’s throat.

When he saw me staring him down, a flicker of fear crossed his face, but he quickly regained his composure. He scrambled to his feet and stammered, “Mr. Laurent, I won’t hurt her. Just let my family go, drop the charges, release Rhys, and I’ll leave Skyline for good. I’ll never bother Mirabelle again.”

Clive snarled, “Useless idiot! Can’t even handle something this simple.”

So, Clive was the mastermind behind this chaos.

Daniel and Rhys were only half-brothers, and Rhys had always harbored disdain for Daniel due to his illegitimacy. Why would Daniel go to such lengths—kidnapping Mira—just to free him?

I shifted my gaze from Clive to Daniel and asked, “How much did he promise you?”

Daniel flinched but didn’t deny it.

I scanned Mirabelle as she lay there, still and unharmed, her breathing steady. Just unconscious.

The knot in my chest loosened. Thank God I had made it in time. The thought of losing her was unbearable, so I forced it from my mind.

Now that I knew she was safe, I could focus on Daniel, who was staring at me like a cornered animal. The moment he saw Clive, he should have realized he had lost.

Daniel persisted, “Mr. Laurent, please, let them go. Louisa just had surgery; she’s not well. And Willow has nothing to do with this.”

I replied, “What about Clive? Is he innocent too?”

Daniel had no answer.

“As for Louisa and Willow… they’re here because of you. If Louisa dies today, that’s on you.”

The woman I loved had been taken. I was in no mood to concern myself with the kidnapper’s family.

I took a step forward.

Daniel instantly refocused, lifting the knife from Mira’s throat and pointing it at me. “Stay back!”

I gave a subtle hand signal. Harry and two guards rushed Daniel.

“Don’t come closer!” he yelled, panic rising in his voice. He waved the knife, trying to shuffle back, dragging Mira with him.

I seized the opportunity. Before he could react, I closed the distance in a few quick strides, grabbed his knife hand, and twisted it behind his back.

Daniel cried out in pain as his arm bent at an unnatural angle. The knife clattered to the ground, and his face contorted with agony as he felt the cold press of a barrel against his temple.

He glanced sideways, spotting the black handgun aimed at him. Cold sweat beaded on his forehead.

My guards swarmed in, pinning him down. I holstered my weapon, but Harry kept his gun trained on Daniel’s head.

I rushed to Mirabelle, scooping her up and holding her tightly against my chest. Finally, I could breathe properly.

Then, the anger surged within me. The sheer recklessness of her—after everything—still choosing to meet Daniel alone. She was asking for a lesson.

“I never meant to hurt her,” Daniel mumbled, his eyes dazed. “I just wanted to save Rhys. Clive made me do it.” He seemed stunned by how everything had spiraled out of control.

“Harry, deal with him.”

“Yes, boss,” Harry nodded, his expression resolute.

I carried Mirabelle away, barking orders to get a doctor.

A scream pierced the air behind me—Daniel’s.

I didn’t break my stride.

Conclusion

As the dust began to settle from the chaos of the confrontation, I held Mirabelle tightly in my arms, relief flooding through me as I felt her warm body against mine. The adrenaline that had coursed through my veins moments before began to ebb, leaving behind a heavy weight of anger and frustration. I had fought tooth and nail to keep her safe, and yet here we were, barely escaping the clutches of betrayal and deceit. The truth about Rhys and Daniel’s involvement in her kidnapping had shattered any remnants of trust I had for them. I couldn’t shake the image of Mirabelle’s vulnerable form, manipulated and misled, and it ignited a fierce protectiveness within me. I vowed then and there that I would do everything in my power to shield her from the darkness that had crept into her life.

As I carried her away from the scene, I could feel the tension in my chest begin to release, replaced by a fierce determination to rebuild what was broken. Mirabelle had faced unimaginable threats, yet she remained resilient, and I admired her strength even in the face of such betrayal. The road ahead would not be easy; trust would need to be rebuilt, and the scars of this ordeal would take time to heal. But together, we would navigate the aftermath, confronting the shadows of the past while forging a brighter future. Embracing her tightly, I whispered promises of safety and love, knowing that with each step, we were not just escaping the darkness but also moving toward the light of new beginnings.

What to Expect in Next Chapter?

**What to Expect in Next Chapter?**

As the dust settles from the chaotic confrontation on the rooftop, the stakes are higher than ever. With Mirabelle finally in Ashton’s arms, the aftermath of Daniel’s actions looms ominously. What will happen to Daniel now that he has crossed a line that cannot be uncrossed? Will he face the consequences of his misguided loyalty to Rhys, or will his desperation lead him to divulge even darker secrets that could shake the very foundations of Mirabelle’s world? As tensions rise within the Granger family, the fragile alliances will be tested, and hidden agendas will come to light.

Meanwhile, Mirabelle is left grappling with the truth that has been thrust upon her. The revelations about Rhys’s betrayal and Daniel’s involvement will undoubtedly force her to confront her past and reassess her relationships. How will she navigate the emotional turmoil of betrayal while trying to rebuild trust with Ashton? As she seeks to understand the depths of the deception that has entangled her life, new dangers may emerge from the shadows, threatening not just her safety but also her heart. Expect revelations that will challenge her resolve, and decisions that could alter the course of her future forever. The next chapter promises to delve deeper into the complexities of loyalty, love, and the lengths one will go to protect those they care for.