At the Barrett household, the mood was entirely different.The house buzzed with laughter and chatter as Lisa sat at the breakfast table, surrounded by her mother, aunts, and cousins.The air was filled with the aroma of freshly brewed coffee and an array of dishes fit for a royal banquet.Lisa’s cousin, Tisha, playfully leaned over.“Today’s the day, Lisa! How are you feeling? Nervous? Excited?”Lisa smiled, though her mind wandered briefly.“Excited, mostly. But a little nervous, too,” she admitted. “It’s a big day.”Tisha grinned.“Well, no talking to Ethan until the ceremony! It’s bad luck, remember?”Lisa rolled her eyes.“It’s just a tradition. Ethan probably thinks I’m ignoring him.”“Exactly why I confiscated your phone,” Tisha teased, holding it up with a mischievous smirk.Lisa laughed and shook her head.“Fine. Just don’t miss any important calls.”The doorbell rang, interrupting their banter.Lisa stood, brushing off the invisible crumbs from her robe.“I’ll get it,” she s

Ethan's heart pounds as he processes the situation. His father lies comatose in a hospital bed, and now Lisa’s life hangs in the balance. Every instinct screams for him to act swiftly, but he knows he can’t afford to be reckless. One wrong move could cost him everything.He turns to Mike, who is staring at him with wide eyes. “Call the finance team,” Ethan orders, his voice steady despite the storm inside him. “Get them to prepare the cash. Fifty million. I’ll need it in unmarked bills within the hour.”Mike hesitates, his expression uneasy. “Mr. Elliot, are you sure? This could be a trap. Shouldn’t we—”“No police,” Ethan cuts him off, his gaze hard and unyielding. “Not yet. Whoever this is, they’re watching. We can’t risk tipping them off until Lisa is safe.”Mike nods reluctantly and rushes out of the room. Ethan sits down at his desk, his hands gripping the edge tightly. His mind races, analyzing the situation. Who would do this? Is this about the company? A rival? Or something el

Ethan stares at his phone, fury and helplessness twisting in his chest. The cold morning air bites against his skin as he turns to Mike and his guards.“They want me to call off the wedding,” Ethan says through clenched teeth, his voice barely masking the storm brewing inside him.Mike’s face pales. “Call off the wedding? What does that even mean? Why would they—”“I don’t know,” Ethan interrupts, running a hand through his disheveled hair. “But they’re playing games, leading us in circles all night. And now, they’re making demands they know I can’t meet.”One of the guards, a tall man named Javier, steps forward. “Sir, this doesn’t sound like a ransom anymore. It feels… personal.”Ethan exhales sharply. “Of course it’s personal. Someone wants to destroy me, and they’re using Lisa to do it.”Mike frowns. “But why involve Lisa? She has nothing to do with your business or your enemies.”“Exactly,” Ethan says bitterly. “Which means this isn’t just about me. It’s about us. Whoever’s behin

The afternoon sun was unforgiving as it streamed through the broken windows of the abandoned factory, casting long shadows on the rusted machinery scattered throughout the room.Ethan’s boots echoed against the concrete floor as he walked into the cavernous space, his jaw clenched and his eyes scanning every corner with precision.The factory was a ghost of its former self—neglected and decaying, much like the storm brewing inside him.His phone buzzed in his pocket, pulling him from his thoughts.With a steadying breath, he pulled it out and answered.The voice on the other end was cold and detached.“Mr. Elliot,” the kidnapper began, each word calculated, “you’ve come as instructed. Good. Now, listen carefully. You’ll find a chair in the center of the factory. Sit down.”Ethan’s grip tightened around the phone, his voice low and controlled.“I came as you asked. But before I do anything, I want proof that Lisa’s alive. Let me see her.”The kidnapper chuckled, a sound that made Ethan

Ethan's guards, dressed as ordinary laborers, move in perfect synchrony.With weapons drawn, they break from their hidden positions, storming the factory.Chaos erupts as the air fills with shouts and the sharp echo of gunfire.“Secure the exits!” Mike orders, his voice cutting through the cacophony.Lisa, despite her feet still bound, starts to hobble toward Ethan.“Lisa!” he shouts, running to her.His strong arms envelop her as he pulls her close, holding her trembling body protectively.“Ethan,” Lisa whispers, her voice hoarse from the gag.Tears stream down her face as he gently works to untie her hands and feet, his movements deliberate and calm despite the chaos around them.“You’re okay,” he murmurs, removing the gag and cupping her tear-streaked face.His thumb brushes against her cheek.“It’s over. I’ve got you now. No one’s going to hurt you.”She clings to him desperately, her sobs muffled against his chest.Her hands, though free now, grip his shirt like a lifeline.“Lisa