Chapter 191
Elara’s POV
Elara’s brain was moving faster than her mouth could keep up with.
Julius on the phone. Julius knows the twins’ names. Julius asking about their beds like he’d been in the nursery. Julius showed up hours after the kidnapping with that smile that didn’t reach his eyes.
And then the ransom call with that voice she’d recognized even through the distortion.
It was him. She knew it was him. But knowing wasn’t enough. She needed proof, needed something tangible that would convince everyone else.
The business card.
Elara shot up from the couch so fast she nearly knocked over her coffee cup. “The card.”
Marcus looked at her. “What card?”
“Julius gave me his business card. When he was here earlier. He tried to hand it to me and I didn’t take it so he…” Elara’s eyes widened. “He left it at the security desk.”
She was already moving toward the door.
“El, wait-” Marcus started but Elara was running.
She heard footsteps behind her, heard Mimi calling her name, even Dante was already asking what was happening. But she didn’t stop. She couldn’t stop.
That card was the only physical evidence that Julius had been here, the only thing besides security footage that proved he was involved.
Elara hit the elevator button and watched the numbers climb agonizingly slow.
“Come on, come on, come on,” she muttered.
The elevator doors finally opened and Elara bolted inside, jamming the lobby button repeatedly like that would make it move faster. Marcus, Mimi, and Dante squeezed in just before the doors closed.
“Elara, what’s going on?” Marcus demanded.
“Julius left his business card at the security desk. If it’s still there, we can call him directly. We don’t have to wait for another ransom call.”
“And say what exactly? Accuse him of kidnapping based on your gut feeling about a distorted voice?”
“Yes! That’s exactly what we do!”
The elevator descended and Elara felt like she might crawl out of her skin. Every second they wasted was
17:12 Mon, May 11 M…
Chapter 191
“Don’t,” Marcus said. “Let’s think about this first-”
“I’m done thinking. I’m done waiting. I’m calling him right now.”
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They burst back into the penthouse where everyone was still gathered looking worried and confused. Elara’s mother stood up immediately.
“Did you find what you were looking for?”
Elara held up the business card. “Julius gave me his number. I’m calling him.”
Richard stepped forward. “Is that wise? If he’s really behind this…”
“He is behind this. I know he is. And I’m not waiting anymore.”
Elara pulled out her phone with shaking hands and dialed the number on the card. Her heart was pounding so hard she could hear it in her ears.
Everyone in the room went silent, watching her.
The phone rang once. Twice and three times.
Pick up. Pick up, you bastard. I know you’re there. I know you’re waiting for this.
Four rings. Five.
What if he didn’t answer? What if she was wrong and Julius had nothing to do with this and she was wasting time they didn’t have?
Six rings.
And then the line connected.
“Hi baby,” Julius’s voice came through, warm and amused. “I’ve been expecting your call.”
17:12 Mon, May 11 M…
Chapter 192
