Chapter 17 – The Information
I left the underground chamber, my mind heav
- y.
My butler stayed behind to finalize the arrangements for our next move, while I made my way back to my study.
Everything was falling into place, but it still wasn’t enough. I needed more. I needed the truth.
I sighed, rubbing the back of my neck as I walked toward my bedroom.
Rachel.
I wanted to see her.
When I stepped inside, she was sitting on the bed, her fingers absently playing with the edge of the blanket.
She looked up the moment I entered, and our eyes met. A faint blush crept up her cheeks, and she quickly looked away.
Interesting.
“You’re awake,” I said, stepping closer.
She nodded. “I couldn’t sleep.”
I sat on the edge of the bed, watching her closely. “I have to step out for a while. But I’ll be back soon.”
She hesitated before nodding. “Okay.”
I studied her face, searching for any sign of discomfort. “Will you be fine?”
looked up, meeting my gaze. “Yes.”
She was lying.
I could tell from the way her fingers fidgeted slightly, from the way her lips pressed together, as if holding back words. But I didn’t push.
“Take care,” she said softly.
I stood, resisting the strange urge to brush my fingers against her cheek. “We’ll talk when I get back.”
She blinked, looking slightly surprised. But before she could say anything, I turned and walked away.
***
The ride to our destination was silent. My butler sat beside me in the car, his expression unreadable as always.
“We secured the prisoner,” he finally said. “He’s waiting for you.”
I nodded.
He Broke Me First, Now I’m The Queen of His Ruins
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“We secured the prisoner,” he finally said. “He’s waiting for you.”
I nodded.
We arrived at the secluded location–a warehouse on the outskirts of the city. It was
isolated, the perfect place for a meeting like this.
As I stepped inside, the man sat in the middle of the room, bound to a chair.
He looked older than I remembered from the pictures. Years in prison had left their mark- his face was gaunt, his hair streaked with gray.
His eyes widened the moment he saw me.
“You,” he whispered, disbelief flickering across his face. “You’re supposed to be dead.”
I folded my arms. “Clearly, I’m not.”
He let out a bitter laugh, shaking his head. “Now I know why I’ve been left to rot in that hellhole for three years.”
I took a step closer. “What are you talking about?”
His jaw tightened, and just like that, the amusement vanished from his face. He clamped his lips shut, refusing to say another word.
I exhaled sharply. “Fine.”
I motioned to my men, and within seconds, a photograph was placed in front of him.
His son.
Still tied up.
His face paled. “No… Don’t hurt him.” His voice cracked with desperation. “He knows nothing. Please.”
“Then talk.” My voice was cold.
He swallowed hard, his eyes darting between me and the photograph.
“Three years ago,” he began shakily, “someone reached out to me. Told me to crash into a specific vehicle. Said I’d be paid well for it.”
My heart pounded against my ribs. “Go on.”
“I–I was promised a huge amount of money and an early release after a year. But there was one condition.”
I already knew what he was going to say, but hearing it still made my blood run cold.
“There couldn’t be any survivors.”
I clenched my fists. My mother and I.
“Who contacted you?” I demanded.
He shook his head. “I never saw their faces. But I know it was a man and a woman. They gave me instructions, told me how to make it look like an accident. After that, I never heard from them again.”
A man and a woman.
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from them again.”
A man and a woman.
I turned away, my chest rising and falling with slow, controlled breaths.
*
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“Do you know what you did?” My voice was eerily calm. “The person in that car was my
mother.”
His eyes widened in horror. “I–I didn’t know-”
“Save it,” I snapped. “You’re going to rot in prison for the rest of your life. And nothing will change that.”
He started begging, his voice breaking. “Please. My son-‘
I didn’t stay to hear the rest.
I stormed out, the rage boiling inside me.
My PI walked up beside me. “We’ll track this. There has to be a connection between this man and Michael’s family.”
I nodded. “Find it.”
***
Back at my estate, I gave a simple order: “Send the boy home.”
I didn’t need him anymore. His father had talked, and he was never part of my revenge. Later that night, my butler entered my study, his face unreadable.
“It’s done,” he said. “We’ve anonymously acquired the largest share in Michael’s company.”
I leaned back in my chair, nodding.
“All the shareholders have sold their shares to us without Michael knowing. There are only three more left.”
A slow smirk tugged at the corner of my lips. “Good work.”
I stood, stretching slightly. I needed sleep. Or at least, I needed to see Rachel again. When I walked into the bedroom, she was curled up on the bed, reading a book.
She looked up when she heard me.
I sat on the edge of the bed, watching her. “I couldn’t stop thinking about you all day.” Rachel’s eyes widened slightly.
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Rachel’s Pov
