Chapter 21
Micah had lost all semblance of reason, locking Laris away while systematically dismantling the Halloway family. The Halloways were already teetering, their finances having been battered by industry turmoil.
A fleeting reprieve had come through a deal with Laris, who’d secured Shaw Group’s backing. In light of that, anyone who might have preyed on the Halloways held back for now, wary of the Shaws‘ influence.
But everything shifted when the Shaws yanked their investment from Halloway Group. Sensing blood in the water, others quickly set their sights on the Halloways. After that, it wasn’t long before the company plunged into a full–blown crisis.
Kenneth Halloway dialed Laris‘ number relentlessly, but she never answered. In a surge of rage, he hurled his phone against the wall, the crack of his phone echoing his despair.
Laris awoke to a throbbing pain coursing through her body. Her heart raced as she scanned the dim room, and relief washed over her when she saw no sign of Micah.
He’d caged her here, forcing her to apologize to Lena daily for their lost child. Any defiance meant a brutal beating.
Her eyes then caught a photo of Lena, carelessly left there by Micah. Instantly, hatred surged in her chest. “Lena,” she hissed, venom dripping from her voice. “This is all your fault! Every second of my suffering is because of you.”
Laris glared at the photo where Lena was smiling brightly. Furious at the sight, she grabbed a nearby jagged stone and slashed it hard across the photo. Her hands trembled as she said, “Lena, I’ll make you pay with your life!” She screamed, “Micah, Lena–you’re both dead to me!”
Her outburst caught a guard’s attention. “Quiet down,” he barked, waving his stun baton.
Laris lowered her head, pretending to comply. But after Micah’s next visit, she stared at the stolen key in her hand, a twisted smile curling on her lips.” Lena, you’re finished,” she whispered.
Under night’s cover, as the guards‘ attention waned, Laris slipped out. She’d barely gotten her phone back when it buzzed with Kenneth’s call.
“What’s going on with you and Micah?” he questioned, frustration sharp in his voice. “He’s spearheading the attack on Halloway Group. We’re staring down bankruptcy, and he won’t stop.”
Laris caught the howling wind on his end, unease flickering in her gut. “Dad, don’t do anything reckless. I’ll talk to Micah. I’ll beg him if I have to.”
Kenneth stood on the rooftop of the company’s headquarters. Below him was a crowd of employees demanding compensation, and behind him were debt collectors closing in. On his phone, a tax investigation notice glared at him from his screen.
“I’m sorry, Laris,” he said, his voice breaking. He dropped the phone and stepped off the edge.
Laris screamed into the receiver, but her cries were swallowed by silence.
When Micah learned of Laris‘ escape, he sent men to hunt her down.
Meanwhile, Laris holed up in a rundown motel, her eyes glued to her phone as the news broke. The headline read, “Halloway Group CEO Jumps to His Death.”
Gripping a knife, she stabbed it into photos of Micah and Lena, her voice a guttural snarl. “You’ll pay for this, both of you. You’ll join my father in the grave!”
Ever since the incident with Micah, Caleb hadn’t left Lena’s side. His vigilance was unyielding.
“Caleb, you don’t have to be so on edge,” Lena softly said, trying to ease his tension as they sat in a restaurant. “Micah hasn’t shown up in a while. The food here’s amazing–try it.”
But Caleb couldn’t shake the unease gnawing at him. He had a gut feeling that something was about to go wrong.
At the next moment, a waitress approached them and placed an unfamiliar dish on their table. “Your order, sir.”
Caleb frowned. “We didn’t order this,” he said, eyeing the server warily.
The waitress‘ gaze locked onto Lena. In a flash, she drew a knife from beneath her tray.
“Lena, watch out!” Caleb shouted.
At that moment, Micah stepped into the restaurant, taking in the scene.
