The night was getting darker and longer even. Dominic stood at the side of the road where he'd just received the call from the unknown number that requested $30 million grands or Vanessa will pay with her life if the demand is not met."She's been kidnapped." Dominic stood straighter, concern etched all over his face. "They're asking for $30 million grands or she's gonna die."The chubby officer, the lead investigator who'd spoken rudely to Dominic earlier, turned to look at in mild shock."$30?! What," He gasped. "You... can you even pay a quarter of that ridiculous amount of money?" He toned, the condescension beneath the exaggerated shock was stark.Dominic raised a brow. He didn't like the inspector the first time he saw him. He reeked of mischief. And in turn, Dominic was astute the man wasn't going to be interested in him too. But he didn't give a damn about his interest!He raised a brow. "Are you giving the opinion that we should comply with the criminal's demand?" He asked

"The kid is more brilliant than I thought." Caspian grinned, patting the pistol against his cheek in casual playfulness, but his mind calculated fast. "He's bringing cash. $30 million is a hell of a big amount of money. He's right. The bank will flag the transaction instantly." Rico raised a brow, obviously agitated. "Are you sure the kid is gonna come with the money? I mean...most of the hostages in the past couldn't even afford the ransom instantly. Some took months before they could comply." Caspian nodded, his eyes thoughtful. "You're right, Rico," He said. "The kid couldn't have...it's impossible to get such an amount of money. He's just a kid...but stupidly bold. But let him come. He and everyone. They're not leaving here alive." Vanessa's heart dropped. Fear gripped her heart. "N—no, please," Her voice echoed all over the place. "Leave him out of this. Please." Caspian slammed her face in annoyance. "Shut the f*ck up, bitch." Vanessa's head snapped to the side, blood t

"Dare raised the gun," Dominic's voice came low, a quiet thunder, cutting across the stillness of the darkness, "I swear, you're dead!" He stepped out from the shadow in front of the harsh headlight of the car, his shadow casting larger on the ground like a beast of an unknown creature.Hesitation flickered behind the mask, but he didn't lower his guard. He scoffed, amused by the show happening before his eyes."You two came here stupidly without a weapon, to bluff in front of my gun? How foolishly amusing.""You're wrong," Dominic snapped, taking one step forward. His boot snapped twigs and crunched loose gravels."Hey, what are you doing? Let's get out of here." The junior police officer urged with a trembling voice of fear, still gripping his bleeding arm."This kid thinks he's in the middle of a movie set," The masked man snorted. "You've got another joke before I wipe you out?"Dominic's expression was calm and unreadable. "Yes," He said, pausing for a few seconds. "Kiss your

"Dare raised the gun," Dominic's voice came low, a quiet thunder, cutting across the stillness of the darkness, "I swear, you're dead!" He stepped out from the shadow in front of the harsh headlight of the car, his shadow casting larger on the ground like a beast of an unknown creature. Hesitation flickered behind the mask, but he didn't lower his guard. He scoffed, amused by the show happening before his eyes. "You two came here stupidly without a weapon, to bluff in front of my gun? How foolishly amusing." "You're wrong," Dominic snapped, taking one step forward. His boot snapped twigs and crunched loose gravels. "Hey, what are you doing? Let's get out of here." The junior police officer urged with a trembling voice of fear, still gripping his bleeding arm. "This kid thinks he's in the middle of a movie set," The masked man snorted. "You've got another joke before I wipe you out?" Dominic's expression was calm and unreadable. "Yes," He said, pausing for a few secon

Eleanor moved with caution now, aware about the presence of the mysterious and powerful man behind her, who she'd rudely spoken to earlier out of the sheer frustration of Viktor's threat and the consequences on her public image when the explicit video goes out.She regretted every word she spoke to Draven, and if she had the chance to rewind time, she would choose her words carefully. That same man had come to her rescue from the vicious intent of that bastard— Viktor Wynn.She pulled the car door open and leaned in to retrieve the Obsidian Medallion. She turned and stood straight, but her head tilted, feeling guilt and remorse. She gripped the medallion tightly.Draven stared at her without any crack in his stoic expression."You're still holding on to it." He clipped. Eleanor forced her head up, glancing at him briefly. Her usual confidence as CEO of the Montclair family had completely left her. Her words came out cracking slightly and laced with mild desperation like a woman graspi