Chapter 531
Sharon had long seen through her father and brothers’ favoritism toward Victoria. It didn’t stir much in her anymore.
To Richard, they were no different-both his daughters by blood. Given how long he’d lived with Victoria, how much time and effort he’d poured into raising her, it wasn’t hard to understand why they favored her.
One daughter he’d raised for over twenty years, the other, only a few. There was no real comparison.
Sharon’s car moved steadily through the night. She wasn’t driving fast, not since the accident. She rarely drove fast anymore.
As the traffic light at the intersection turned green, she eased the car forward. And then, her eyes widened sharply.
A pedestrian stepped onto the road against the light.
Without thinking, Sharon slammed on the brakes.
But it was too late.
The car struck the man head-on.
Thankfully, she hadn’t been speeding, and she’d hit the brakes hard. Even so, the man collapsed on impact, unconscious.
Sharon rushed out of the car, heart pounding, and immediately called for an ambulance.
At the hospital, a doctor stepped out of the emergency room and spoke to her.
“He only has a mild concussion. No serious injuries. He should regain consciousness soon.”
Sharon exhaled in relief.
The man had crossed at a red light-she knew that. But she still didn’t want anything bad to happen to him.
After exchanging a few more words with the doctor, she pushed open the door to the hospital room.
The man lay still in the bed, unconscious.
She walked over to him.
In the chaos earlier, she hadn’t taken a good look at his face. Now that she had a moment to see him clearly, Sharon froze.
It was him.
His face was pale, streaked with a trace of blood, but it didn’t dull his striking features.
She had seen him not long ago, at Uriah’s birthday banquet.
Sharon sat down in a chair beside the bed, waiting in silence.
Roughly half an hour passed before his lashes fluttered. Slowly, he opened his eyes.
She leaned forward as he stirred.
“You’re awake. How are you feeling?”
His dark eyes shifted, still unfocused, before settling vaguely on her face.
“Who are you?”
His voice was rough, eyes dull with confusion, as if he hadn’t quite registered what had happened yet.
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Sharon said, “Sir, I’m very sorry. I hit you with my car. But…”
She paused briefly, then continued, “But you did cross against the light. So the responsibility is mostly yours. That said, I still hit you, so I’ve covered your medical expenses. You don’t have to pay me back. If you need anything else, you can go through the traffic police to reach me.”
Some things, she thought, were better said upfront. If this was some kind of scam, she wanted no part in it.
She had already reported the incident to the police, and the dashcam footage had been submitted.
Covering his medical costs was simply an act of basic decency. Guilt, nothing more.
The man didn’t respond. He just lay there in silence.
Sharon glanced at the time and stood. “It’s getting late. I’ll head out now. You should call your family and have someone come stay with you.”
Just as she turned to leave, the man finally spoke.
“I was hit by a car?”
Her steps paused midair.
What kind of question was that?
She turned slowly to look at him, eyes narrowing in disbelief.
“You don’t recall?”
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The man frowned slightly at her words. “No, I don’t remember anything.”
Sharon found that hard to believe. “You don’t remember? Are you saying you’ve lost your memory?”
The doctor had already examined him. Aside from a mild concussion and some superficial injuries, there were no other issues.
“Lost…memory?” the man echoed in confusion. “I really don’t remember anything.”
Sharon’s breath caught in her throat. Her eyes stayed fixed on his face.
There was a dazed look in his expression. “Do you know my name?” he asked.
He didn’t even remember his name?
That was… deeply unsettling.
Without hesitation, Sharon pressed the call button and brought the doctor back in.
After listening to her account, the doctor gave the man another thorough examination.
The final conclusion was, “Whenever the brain suffers a concussion, there’s a possibility of memory loss. And in cases like his, amnesia often can’t be detected right away. The human brain is mysterious and fragile. Unfortunately, there’s no effective treatment for memory loss.”
Sharon felt a headache coming on.
She had just spoken with the man. He truly didn’t remember his own name.
He didn’t have any identification on him. No wallet. No phone. Nothing.
It was as if he had left the house in a hurry, without time to bring anything with him. 1
Faced with a situation like this, Sharon couldn’t handle it alone. She called Wendy and Xavier to come help.
When Wendy arrived at the hospital, she couldn’t help but exclaim, “Wow, he’s pretty handsome.”
The man gave her a small smile. “Thank you for the compliment.”
Wendy thought to herself, ‘Surprisingly polite, too.’
Sharon turned to Xavier. “Xavier, I don’t think he’s from Zachemaine. I asked the police, but they couldn’t identify him. Could I trouble you to look into it?”
Xavier’s sharp gaze landed on the man’s face.
The man met his eyes calmly, his expression open and harmless, a polite smile on his lips. “Hello.”
Xavier asked, “Do you remember your name?”
The man shook his head. “No.”
“What do you remember?”
He thought for a moment. “Nothing, really.”
Then, as if recalling something, he added, “Well, I still remember everyday things. Like how to eat, drink… I can read. Does that
count?”
Xavier was speechless. Was he overthinking this? Why did it feel like the man was messing with him?
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Sharon spoke up from the side, “The doctor said it’s normal for him to retain basic knowledge”
After all, memory loss didn’t mean he’d lost the ability to take care of himself.
“Oh, right.” The man suddenly pointed to the necklace around his neck. “I just noticed, there’s a name engraved on the back of this pendant. It says Thomas.”
Sharon asked, “Can we take a look?”
The man removed the necklace and handed it to her. “Of course.”
She examined it. The necklace wasn’t anything expensive, just a simple silver chain. The pendant was also ordinary in design, with nothing particularly special about it.
But it was well maintained, either from regular care or constant wear-clean, polished, and in good condition.
Xavier studied it closely as well, but didn’t find anything unusual.
Wendy offered, “Maybe that’s his name.”
Sharon paused in thought for a few seconds, then took a few photos of the man.
“Xavier, I saw this man at Uriah’s birthday party. Could you ask around and see if any of the guests remember him?”
Both Xavier and Wendy turned to look at her.
“You’ve seen him before?”
Sharon nodded. “Yes, but only briefly, in the garden. It’s possible he wasn’t even part of the banquet.”
Xavier said, “Alright, I’ll look into it.”
He made a call, then sent the photos of the man and the necklace to his assistant.
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After ending the call, Xavier turned to Sharon and asked, “The investigation will take some time. What do you plan to do with him in the meantime?”
Sharon glanced at the man. “I’ll hire a caretaker for him first-”
Before she could finish, the man cut her off.
“I don’t agree to that.”
Her voice faltered. “You have another request?”
His expression turned serious. “I don’t agree to being handed over to someone else. I’ve lost my memory. I don’t know anyone. What if you leave and never come back? What am I supposed to do? You have to take responsibility.”
Sharon frowned slightly. “You were the one who ran the red light. The police have it on record.”
“But I lost my memory because you hit me.”
She looked at him steadily. “Then what do you want?”
“I want you to take care of me,” he said. “Until I recover my memory or my family finds me.”
Sharon hesitated for a few seconds. “I could lend you some money. It should be enough to get you through a while-”
He interrupted again. “What if I spend all the money, still don’t remember anything, and no one comes looking for me? I don’t have any ID or papers. No one will hire me without them. You already confirmed with the police that I’m not from Zachemaine. I don’t know the place, don’t know anyone. If you vanish, I’ll end up freezing to death on the street.
“So you have to take responsibility. If you’re worried about the cost, when I regain my memory or my family shows up, I’ll repay
you.”
Sharon felt a headache coming on. As unreasonable as it sounded, his concerns weren’t entirely baseless.
If it were just a matter of amnesia, it might be simple to resolve. But he didn’t even have ID. If no one ever came for him, he couldn’t even afford rent or a place to stay.
Wendy, who had been silently listening, blinked. On the surface, the conversation seemed fine-focused on the situation at hand-but something about it just felt… off.
She instinctively glanced at Xavier, whose brows had drawn together as well.
The air grew tense until Xavier finally broke the silence.
“Come home with me. While your memory is gone, I’ll take care of your daily needs.”
The man glanced at him, then flatly refused. “No.”
Xavier asked, “Why?”
The man replied matter-of-factly, “You don’t look like a good person. What if you think I’m a burden and decide to kill me? I don’t trust you.”
Xavier was speechless. Did he really look that much like a criminal?
At that moment, Wendy suddenly had an idea.
“Sharon, how about this? He doesn’t have ID, so getting a job will be hard. But we’re preparing for the upcoming concert and need help. He can assist us temporarily, and we’ll pay him a salary.”
She paused to think. “As for housing… we can rent him a place in your apartment complex for now.”
The studio was technically livable, but given the man’s unknown background, letting him stay there posed too much risk. If he tampered with anything important, the consequences wouldn’t be worth it.
Sharon considered the proposal. It was, realistically, the best option.
She nodded slightly and looked at the man. “Will that work for you?”
If he said no, then she’d be done with him. Let him fend for himself.
The man finally looked satisfied. “That’ll work.”
Sharon asked, “Do you want to stay in the hospital for the night, or are you ready to be discharged?”
If he wanted to stay, she’d have to ask Wendy to help keep them both company. After all, a single man and woman spending the night together would invite suspicion.
The man replied, “I don’t like hospitals. They make me uncomfortable. I’ll discharge now.”
But it was already quite late, and renting a place at this hour wasn’t feasible.
As Sharon hesitated, wondering how to settle the matter, Xavier spoke up.
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“Why don’t you all stay at my place tonight? There’s plenty of room,” Xavier offered.
Sharon exchanged a glance with Wendy.
Leaving the man alone in a hotel wasn’t ideal. He probably wouldn’t agree to it.
But bringing a complete stranger into her own home? That wasn’t something she was comfortable with either.
Xavier’s suggestion was the perfect solution.
She gave a slight nod. “Thank you, Xavier. Sorry for the trouble.”
With Wendy accompanying her, the three of them headed to Xavier’s family estate for the night.
After settling the man into a guest room, Sharon walked into the living room.
Xavier had just ended a phone call.
“Any news?” she asked.
A subtle change flickered across his expression. “My assistant confirmed that guy, Thomas, wasn’t on the guest list for Uriah’s birthday banquet. No one knows who he is.”
“No one?” Sharon frowned. “Did you ask Uriah?”
“I did. He said he’s never met the man, nor did he invite him. As of now, we have no leads. His identity is a complete mystery.”
Sharon’s gaze darkened slightly.
Xavier added, “I’ve already sent people abroad to investigate, but with so little to go on, I’m afraid it’s going to take some time.”
Sharon let out a quiet sigh. “It’s my fault. I was distracted that night… I didn’t notice him right away.”
Xavier poured her a glass of water. “Did the doctor say whether his memory might return with treatment?”
She shook her head. “They said taking him to familiar places might help jog his memory. But… we don’t know where’s familiar
to him.”
A thought crossed Xavier’s mind. “Why not ask Uriah? With his medical expertise, he might be able to help.”
Sharon’s eyes lit up. “Good idea. I’ll take him to see Uriah tomorrow.”
Then, something occurred to her. She hesitated before asking, “Xavier… did you already know who Uriah really was?”
Xavier hadn’t shown the slightest surprise about Uriah’s true identity. He hadn’t even questioned her about it.
He gave a low chuckle. “Are you upset I didn’t tell you?”
She shook her head, smiling. “Of course not.”
If their positions were reversed, she might not have said anything either.
After all, knowing in advance wouldn’t necessarily have helped her. On the contrary, not knowing had allowed her to treat the old man naturally, without any sense of burden. Xavier’s silence had been thoughtful.
A faint curve lifted Xavier’s lips. A flicker of appreciation danced in his eyes.
Dealing with smart women was always easier. And he liked smart women best.
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“You stole the spotlight at the banquet,” he continued. “Now that you have Uriah backing you, the Biggs family probably won’t make any reckless moves…. for now. But knowing Madeline, she’s likely scheming something behind the scenes.
“And then there’s Kelly… Back then, Uriah told Carter she wasn’t sick, but he refused to believe it. With Uriah’s true identity now exposed, Carter might start to doubt her condition.”
Sharon responded calmly, “Honestly, I hope he finds out…but only after he marries Kelly.”
Xavier let out a soft laugh. “You think he plans to marry her? I’m not so sure.”
Sharon lifted the glass in front of her and took a sip.
“If he didn’t plan to, he wouldn’t have given her our wedding in the first place.”
That prompted Xavier to recall something.
“By the way, I saw Carter speaking to Victoria at the banquet.”
Chapter 535
“Does Carter know that you’re a member of the Kalen family?” Xavier asked.
Sharon shook her head. “No, he doesn’t.”
She then recounted how Carter had first met Victoria.
Xavier let out a soft chuckle.
“If he and Victoria are on good terms, it’s entirely possible something unexpected could happen with the concert’s special guest list. Given the close ties between the Kalen and Blakely families, all it would take is a word. And Ginny, even as the Blakely family’s eldest daughter, still answers to the family’s will.”
Sharon smiled faintly. “If he’s willing to cash in such a huge favor just for Kelly, then so be it. That position on the guest list isn’t worth much. But if they use that favor to undermine me during the concert… now that would be a problem.”
“You have Uriah’s support,” Xavier said. “I doubt they’d go that far.”
But Sharon wasn’t so optimistic. “Cole from the Malcolm family has been watching me like a hawk. I heard from Abby that Cole’s uncle also seems quite fond of Victoria. You know the saying, ‘the enemy of my enemy is a friend’. They might even team up to help Kelly.”
She had never harmed anyone. Yet the mere fact that she now stood as the Kalen family’s daughter was seen as a sin in their
eyes.
Xavier said, “Sharon, Kelly has Carter, Victoria has Cole and the others… But don’t forget, you have us.”
Sharon’s heart trembled softly. A quiet warmth spread through her chest.
She nodded firmly. “You’re right. I still have you guys.”
Meanwhile, the Hendricks family estate was ablaze with lights.
Nate’s wails echoed through the villa.
“Ahh! Dad, stop! Please, it hurts!”
Karl, chest heaving with rage, struck again with the whip in his hand. “It hurts? Good! Maybe that’ll teach you a lesson, you disgrace! I’ll beat the foolishness right out of you!” 1
The whip lashed across Nate’s back, sending him writhing on the floor in agony.
Nate’s mother, heartbroken, burst into tears at the sight. She rushed over, trying to grab her husband’s arm. “Stop it! Please, that’s enough! Nate didn’t mean it. How could he have known that man was Uriah?”
Karl yanked his arm free and shoved her aside. “You coddled him into this! You’ve turned him into a reckless, entitled brat! Because of him, the Hendricks Group is on the brink of destruction!”
Nate’s mother wiped her tears, her voice full of grievance. “How is this my fault? You used to praise Nate for having a good personality, for becoming close with Carter and Julliard. And as for offending Uriah… this whole mess started with Kelly, Carter’s first love! Carter and Kelly are the ones truly to blame!”
Karl let out a cold laugh. “So you want to burn the bridge with Carter too? Go ahead! Go confront him! Drive away the last person who might still be willing to help us. Let’s see who’ll come to our rescue then.”
Nate’s mother dared not say another word.
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Still fuming, Karl landed a few more lashes on Nate, though his strength was waning. Even so, it wasn’t enough to vent his fury.
His voice was icy as he declared, “Starting tomorrow, you will be removed from all positions in the Hendricks Group. Luther will take over full control.”
He shot a piercing glare at Nate. “And one more thing, if you dare go near Sharon again, don’t blame me for disowning you.”
With that, he tossed the whip to the ground and stormed off.
He had always known Nate wasn’t cut out to run a company. If not for Carter and Julliard’s support, he’d never have handed the reins to Nate in the first place.
Nate wasn’t his only son. Why should all his hopes be pinned on a fool like him?
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The next day, Wendy went to help arrange a rental, while Sharon brought the man to see Uriah.
For convenience, she had started calling him Thomas.
When they arrived, Uriah examined Thomas closely, frowning as he studied the man’s face.
After a long moment, he shook his head.
“No, I’ve never seen him before. Doesn’t ring any bells.”
With looks like his, anyone who had seen him even once would remember-it was hard to forget a face like that.
Sharon asked, “Mr. Malcolm, can you treat his amnesia?”
Stroking his snowy white beard, Uriah replied, “I’ve cured countless difficult and even terminal conditions in my time… but memory loss… honestly, there’s not much that can be done for that.”
Still, he gestured toward Thomas. “Let me take a closer look at him.”
Thomas obediently sat before him and respectfully greeted, “Mr. Malcolm.”
He looked every bit the model patient-polite, composed, and harmless.
Uriah narrowed his eyes. Those sharp, experienced eyes studied the young man with the scrutiny of someone who’d seen too
much.
Thomas sat quietly, letting the scrutiny wash over him. He wore a faint smile, his expression calm and untroubled..
Finally, Uriah shifted his gaze. Amnesia wasn’t something that could be diagnosed easily.
“I’m afraid I can’t help with his memory loss,” he said at last.
Sharon had anticipated this outcome and wasn’t overly disappointed. She’d only been hoping for a miracle.
“Thank you for taking the time anyway.”
Suddenly, Uriah changed the subject. “Sharon, I had someone look into my grandson Cole last night… I owe you an apology.”
Sharon responded lightly, “What happened yesterday wasn’t your fault. I’m just grateful you didn’t blame me for how I handled
him.”
Uriah’s tone was firm. “He messed up. You were right to put him in his place. Don’t hold back on my account. If that brat dares give you any more trouble, tell me directly. I’ll break his legs myself.”
Then he sighed. “I watched Cole grow up. He used to be loyal and principled… How did he end up like this?”
Their conversation wasn’t hidden from Thomas, not that anything they discussed was particularly confidential.
Just then, Uriah changed the subject again.
“Since it’s clear there’s no future between you and that rascal Cole, would you perhaps consider his uncle, Lex? Lex is eight years older than you, still single. Older, yes. But he’s caring, and he’s next in line to lead the Malcolm family.”
At that, Thomas cast an imperceptible glance at Uriah.
Sharon gave an awkward smile. “I appreciate the offer, I really do. But I’m not looking to date anyone right now.”
The fact that Uriah was even willing to introduce her to the Malcolm family heir showed just how much he valued her.
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He gave Thomas a sidelong glance. “Finding a good man is one thing, marrying into a good family is a whole different game. If you join the Malcolm family, I guarantee no one will dare lay a finger on you.
And that ten percent stake I promised? It’ll be yours as agreed.”
Sharon was speechless.
Clearly, he hadn’t given up on the idea of marrying her into the Malcolm family.
Just as she opened her mouth to refuse, Uriah spoke again, beating her to it.
“Alright, it’s settled then. When Lex visits Amstern City in a few days, I’ll arrange for you two to meet. Just a meeting. Whether you like him or not is entirely up to you.”
He wasn’t about to let a good seedling like Sharon get snatched away by some mutt off the street. Especially not this young man sitting here, who had appeared under suspicious circumstances-so clean on the surface, yet something about him didn’t sit
quite right.
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The more flawless someone appeared, the more suspicious they became. But without solid evidence, Uriah wouldn’t make reckless accusations.
Still, the likelihood was high that the guy had probably taken a liking to Sharon and deliberately approached her.
Given how far Uriah had gone in laying things out, Sharon couldn’t refuse him outright.
“Alright.”
A satisfied smile appeared on Uriah’s face.
Sharon chatted with him a little longer before taking her leave.
Just as she stepped outside, her phone rang.
She glanced at the screen and immediately recognized the number. It was Carter.
Why was he calling her?
Sharon instinctively declined the call.
A minute later, the phone rang again.
She rejected it once more.
As far as she was concerned, there was nothing left to say between them.
But moments later, Julliard’s name appeared on her screen.
Her heart sank. After a brief hesitation, she answered.
“Sharon,” Julliard’s voice came through, unusually serious. “Theo has been kidnapped.”
Sharon’s face went pale. “What happened?”
“It’s the weekend,” he explained. “Kelly took Theo to the amusement park, and they were both abducted. Sharon, do you have time to meet us and go over everything together?”
No matter how disappointed she might be in Theo, he was still her son—her child born from ten months of pregnancy.
With something like this happening, there was no way she could stay uninvolved.
“Where are you? I’ll come find you.”
Julliard hesitated briefly before saying, “Carter’s already on his way to pick you up. He should be there in ten minutes or so. Wait for him.”
At that moment, Sharon couldn’t afford to dwell on her personal grudges with Carter.
“Got it.”
After ending the call, Thomas noticed her ashen face and asked, “What’s wrong? You look terrible.”
Sharon didn’t hide it. “My son’s been kidnapped.”
“You have a son?”
“Yes. Why?”
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Carter replied casually, “You don’t look like someone who has a child.”
Sharon had no patience to argue. “I need to go find him. You should head back. Wendy has already rented an apartment for you.”
Carter shook his head. “No. I don’t have a phone or any money. If I get lost, I won’t be able to contact anyone.”
Sharon frowned.
She could give him some money, but not her phone. Now that Theo had been kidnapped, she needed to keep her line open at all
times.
After thinking for a moment, she said, “I’ll call Wendy to pick you up.’
Thomas gave her a skeptical look. “You’re not trying to ditch me with a new excuse, are you?”
But Sharon was far too preoccupied with Theo’s abduction to argue.
Carter had money and power-and plenty of enemies, no doubt. Still, in all the years she’d been raising Theo alone, nothing like this had ever happened.
But the moment Kelly took him out, he was kidnapped?
Her fingers curled into tight fists.
Ever since Kelly returned, Theo had not only eaten cake but also consumed nuts, despite being allergic.
A dull ache crept into her heart.
Her son trusted, even adored, a woman who had destroyed their family.
Lost in thought, she was startled by the sudden arrival of a black sedan pulling up beside her.
The window rolled down, revealing Carter’s sharp, handsome face.
He seemed about to speak, but the moment he noticed the man standing beside her, his expression turned cold and stormy.
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Carter’s cold, critical gaze fell on Thomas.
“Sharon, is he the reason you kept hanging up on me?”
Sharon responded calmly, “Jumping to blame everyone else the second things go south-is that what being CEO of Biggs Group teaches you?”
Carter’s voice turned sharper. “Oh, so you’re telling me ditching your kidnapped kid for a date is perfectly acceptable?”
Thomas smiled faintly at that. “Though it’s not my place to interfere in someone else’s affairs, I’ve always had a problem with injustice. So I feel compelled to clarify on Sharon’s behalf: I’m not her date. She accidentally bumped into me yesterday and simply took me to see a doctor. Without asking for any explanation, you jumped to conclusions and accused her-”
He paused awhile, then continued, “Sir, are you her husband?”
It was meant as a well-meaning defense, but to Carter, the words grated unpleasantly.
Sharon replied flatly, “Ex-husband.”
Thomas’s expression shifted with sudden understanding. “Ah, I see… If you’re her ex-husband, then perhaps you’re overstepping. You’re divorced. Who she chooses to see is no longer your concern.”
Carter’s eyes darkened. “Sharon, Theo’s life is hanging in the balance. Are you really going to stand here and keep arguing with me?”
Sharon said nothing. She moved to open the rear door, intending to get in, but Thomas was quicker. He slipped inside before
she could.
She froze, caught off guard.
Thomas looked up at her with a bright smile. “Thanks.”
Sharon parted her lips, but ultimately said nothing.
Carter’s jaw tightened, his handsome face clouded with displeasure. But with Theo missing, he couldn’t afford to waste time.
He snapped coldly at Sharon, “Get in the front.”
Not wanting to create more conflict at a time like this, Sharon shut the rear door and took the front passenger seat.
Carter stared straight ahead, expression frosty. 1
“Seatbelt.”
Once she fastened it, the car shot forward like an arrow loosed from a bow.
To her surprise, Sharon noticed that all traces of Kelly’s presence in the car were gone. Even the custom seat sticker on the passenger side had vanished.
She glanced at it briefly, then looked away, indifferent.
“What exactly happened?” she asked. “How did Theo get kidnapped? Do you know who did it?”
Carter’s voice was low and composed. “It happened about an hour ago. We’re still investigating the kidnappers’ identities. They were extremely meticulous-well-prepared, and they acted in blind spots beyond the reach of surveillance. It’ll take time to pin
them down.”
Sharon’s expression was grim. “Have they contacted you?”
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“Not yet.”
“Any leads?”
“None so far.”
The fact that Carter discovered the kidnapping just an hour after it happened was already impressively fast. It was possible the kidnappers hadn’t even realized their actions had been exposed.
A trace of anxiety crept into Sharon’s brows.
If they were after money, it would be manageable.
But if this stemmed from revenge…
She didn’t dare finish the thought. Her chest tightened with dread.
Sensing her worry, Carter glanced sideways at her and, uncharacteristically, tried to reassure her.
“Sharon, Julliard and I have already dispatched our men. Theo will be fine.”
His words snapped her out of her spiral.
Right. Why hadn’t she thought of calling for help?
With that, Sharon immediately dialed Xavier’s number.
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Xavier listened to Sharon’s account and said, “Don’t worry, I’ll send someone to help with the search right away.”
Beside her, Carter watched Sharon make her calls, his brows twitching slightly, but in the end, he said nothing to stop her.
Next, Sharon called Uriah.
Upon hearing the news, Uriah took it very seriously and immediately sent people out to assist.
As for Ginny and the others, Sharon didn’t call them. Their influence didn’t reach Amstern City, and they likely wouldn’t be able to help in Theo’s case anyway.
Even after exhausting her list of contacts, the worry on Sharon’s face didn’t ease.
Carter glanced at Thomas through the rearview mirror and said coolly, “He’s coming with us. Is that going to be a problem?”
Sharon understood what Carter was implying and replied, “No problem. He doesn’t even have a phone right now.”
Even if Thomas had approached her with ulterior motives, he had no way of communicating with anyone at the moment. She wasn’t completely letting her guard down around him.
Carter drove them straight to the Biggs family’s estate.
Inside the Biggs family villa’s living room,
Madeline and Denise were pacing restlessly, anxiety etched across their faces. 1
Julliard was on the phone, making call after call.
Sharon followed Carter into the house.
The moment Julliard saw her, a flicker of light appeared in his eyes. It had been a while since he last saw Sharon.
“Hey, Sharon,” Julliard greeted her, his voice unexpectedly hoarse.
Sharon paused briefly, then gave him a polite nod. “Julliard.”
The moment Madeline saw Sharon, her expression darkened.
After learning of Sharon’s connection to Uriah, she had felt a brief pang of regret. But deep down, she knew the rift between them was unbridgeable. Even Theo wouldn’t change that.
The better someone she disliked was doing, the worse Madeline felt. And though she wouldn’t admit it, there was a touch of jealousy toward Sharon buried in her heart.
“What is she doing here?!” Madeline snapped, eyes hostile, voice ice-cold. Pointing at the door, she barked, “You’re not welcome here. Get out!”
Sharon’s expression cooled. Without a word, she turned to leave. (1)
Carter instinctively grabbed her wrist. “Where are you going?”
She said coldly, “Didn’t your mom just tell me to get out? So I’m leaving.”
Carter frowned and looked at his mother. “Mom, can you stop making things worse at a time like this?”
Madeline stared at him in disbelief. “You’re saying I’m making things worse?”
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Carter’s voice dropped, low and frosty. “Theo has been kidnapped. As his mother, she has a right to know.”
Madeline scoffed. “And what good does it do for her to know? Can she get Theo back?”
Sharon chuckled. “Then let me ask, does it help for you to know? Are you going to rescue him?TM”
“You” Madeline was at a loss for words.
Carter cut in before their argument escalated. “Enough. Stop fighting. Theo’s situation is more important.”
Madeline opened her mouth to speak again, but Denise tugged on her sleeve, signaling her to stop. She thought her mother must be losing her mind. Sharon now had powerful backing, yet her mother still had the nerve to challenge her. Was she asking for trouble?
Seeing the tension, Julliard finally spoke up.
“Theo’s been kidnapped. It’s natural that Madeline is upset and might speak harshly. Sharon, I hope you won’t take it personally.”
He paused awhile, then added, “Carter, Madeline’s not young anymore, and she’s been worried sick. Why don’t we let her go upstairs and rest for a bit?”
Chapter 540
Carter had had enough of his mother’s tirade. “Mom, go upstairs.”
Without waiting for Madeline’s response, Denise stepped forward and gently but firmly guided her up. “Mom, just leave this to Carter. He’s got it handled.”
It wasn’t that she didn’t understand-her mother clearly didn’t. But she did.
Sharon was Theo’s biological mother, and with Uriah backing her, the Biggs family stood to gain quite a bit -if, that is, her mother could stop picking fights with Sharon.
Once Madeline left, the living room finally quieted down.
Julliard’s gaze drifted toward Carter, who had barely spoken, whose presence seemed almost nonexistent, and yet somehow impossible to ignore.
“And he is…?”
Sharon, her thoughts clearly elsewhere, replied flatly, “Just a friend.”
Julliard didn’t press. Her tone said enough.
As they stood there, still trying to piece together the kidnapper’s motive, Carter’s phone rang.
The call was from an unknown caller.
His eyes darkened slightly. He looked up at Sharon before answering, and put it on speaker.
“Carter, your son and your first love are both with me now.” The voice was distorted through a modulator. “If you want them alive, don’t call the cops. Otherwise… I’m not above killing one to make my point.”
Carter replied, “Fine. I won’t call the police.”
With his and Julliard’s capabilities, handling this without police involvement wasn’t out of the question.
“Ten million a head. We trade cash for people. Oh, and…” The voice paused, as if recalling something. “Send your ex-wife. She’ll be handling the exchange. And don’t try anything clever. I don’t have that kind of patience.”
Carter’s tone remained unreadable. “I understand.”
The line cut out.
Everyone in the room had heard the exchange.
Julliard spoke first. “I’ll have my people trace the call.”
He pulled out his phone and made a quick call.
Carter turned to Sharon.
She gave a small nod.
With Theo’s life hanging in the balance, Sharon chose to set aside all past grievances for now.
Seeing her agree without hesitation, a faint gleam surfaced in Carter’s eyes.
This time, it wasn’t just Theo who’d been taken. Kelly was with him.
Carter had thought Sharon might seize this opportunity to negotiate-like the last time, when she demanded 100 million for the medication Kelly needed. Or when she traded ten million for her studio.
1/2
But Sharon caught the look in his eyes, and it wasn’t hard to guess what he was thinking. A flicker of irony touched her expression
“Carter, your kid’s been kidnapped, and you’re still wasting time? Shouldn’t you be arranging the money?”
Carter lowered his gaze and turned away to issue the order.
Getting twenty million in cash wasn’t easy. But for someone like Carter, it wasn’t hard.
Roughly an hour later, the money was ready.
The kidnapper’s location had been traced, but they had already vanished by the time the call ended.
As everything else fell into place, Sharon asked, “Have they sent the address yet?”
Carter shook his head. “No. They’re probably holding off so we can’t plan anything in advance.”
Julliard added, “This guy’s smart.”
Giving away the meeting point too early would be a rookie move.
Especially going up against someone like Carter…. Even without the police, Carter had plenty of resources of his own.
Chapter 541
Whoever dared to kidnap Carter’s first love and his son without airtight preparation was nothing short of courting death.
Thomas sat silently off to the side the entire time. He gave no unnecessary words, no interruptions, not even an excuse to step out. He kept his presence minimal, his suspicion even lower.
Another two hours passed before the phone finally rang.
“Mr. Biggs,” the kidnapper’s voice came through. “The money’s ready, I assume?”
“It is.”
“Good. Then have your ex-wife bring the cash to the address I’ll send. She has thirty minutes to reach here. Alone.
“If she brings one other person with her, I’ll kill one. Two or more… Well, then don’t bother coming at all.”
Carter was silent for a moment.
Sharon spoke up. “Fine. But I need to see that they’re both still alive.”
“Of course,” the kidnapper replied.
He immediately sent a video call.
On screen, Theo and Kelly were tied to separate chairs. Theo’s eyes were red, clearly from crying, but he didn’t appear seriously
hurt.
Kelly, however, was in much worse shape-hair a tangled mess, one cheek swollen, streaked with blood and grime.
The kidnapper turned to them. “Say hello.”
Theo was just a kid. He had no experience with anything like this. His body trembled, his voice barely holding together.
“Daddy… help me…”
Kelly looked up at the camera, her mouth opening as if to speak, but before any words came, tears slipped down her face. She looked utterly pitiful.
Carter’s eyes darkened. “If you’ve got a problem with me, come at me. Kidnapping a woman and a child… What kind of coward
does that?”
The kidnapper gave a low, mocking laugh. “I’d love to come for you. But you’re too well-guarded. This is just strategy-hit
where it hurts.”
Carter had no reply.
Sharon stood. “Enough. Let’s not waste any more time. I’ll go now.”
At the sound of her voice, Theo’s eyes lit up. Tears streamed down his cheeks again. “Mommy!”
In this moment, with his life hanging in the balance, he missed her more than he could understand. Every kind gesture and warm memory suddenly came rushing back. And just as suddenly, he couldn’t understand why he ever found her annoying. Regret swept through him, sharp and deep.
Sharon’s voice was gentle and steady. “Theo, don’t be scared. Mom and Dad are coming to get you.”
There was something calming in her voice, something that softened the fear. Theo nodded obediently, trembling a little less.
The kidnapper shifted the camera.
1/2 V
“There. You’ve seen them. Sharon, you should be on your way. Don’t be late. I hate people who are.”
He ended the call without waiting for a reply.
Julliard’s team followed the signal’s location, but once again, the place was already empty.
Five minutes later, Sharon arrived at a jeep.
The rear was loaded with twenty million in cash, ready for the exchange.
Just as she was about to leave, Carter called out.
“Sharon.”
She turned, anxiety still shadowing her face.
“What is it now?”
Carter’s eyes held steady on hers.
So, she did care about Theo. Not as little as she made it seem.
He stepped forward and gave her a light hug
Sharon flinched, instinctively trying to push him away, but then she felt something slip into the pocket of her coat.
He had given her something.
hapter 542
Sharon cast Carter a quiet glance, then lowered her eyes. Without a word, she climbed into the Jeep.
Simon had secured a massive Jeep. Its trunk was packed with nineteen full-sized suitcases stacked like bricks. The space inside
was generous.
Just as Sharon reached for the ignition, Thomas, who hadn’t spoken at all until now, suddenly called out, “Sharon.”
She turned to him.
He smiled faintly. “Take care.”
Sharon gave a small nod. Without hesitation, she started the engine.
Carter, Julliard, and Thomas stood motionless, watching her drive away. In the rearview mirror, their silhouettes shrank smaller and smaller until they vanished altogether.
Sharon slid a hand into her pocket. Her fingers brushed something solid. Her pupils contracted slightly.
A handgun. 1
Her heartbeat steadied as her fingers curled around it briefly. Then, calmly, she faced forward and drove toward the designated
location. 1
Roughly twenty minutes later, she arrived at a remote, overgrown stretch of the outskirts.
Ahead stood an abandoned factory. Thick vegetation wrapped the area, terrain dense and uneven-perfect for hiding people, almost impossible for a clean pursuit.
Whoever this kidnapper was, they weren’t just bold. They were clever.
The moment she cut the engine, her phone buzzed to life.
“Get out. Now. Leave the key in the ignition. I’ll send someone to check the money. If it’s real, we’ll talk about letting them go.”
Sharon glanced into the backseat, toward the rows of suitcases. “Fine. But I need proof they’re still alive.”
The response came without delay. “Walk into the factory. Someone will take you to them.”
Her hand brushed against the pocketed gun again. The touch was enough to anchor her nerves. .1
“Alright.”
She stepped out and made her way toward the building.
She knew Carter’s people were trailing just behind, staying out of sight. The Jeep, no doubt, was already tagged with a tracker.
The factory door stood slightly ajar.
She pushed it open. The hinges groaned with a heavy, rusted protest.
Inside, several broad-shouldered men stood guarding another room. Clearly expecting her, they didn’t react when she entered. No surprise, no questions.
Sharon approached. “I’m here for them.”
One of the men stepped aside, allowing her through without a word.
She was taken aback by how easy that was. Too easy. Was the trap waiting behind the door?
1/2
She tensed slightly, but walked in.
Inside, Kelly and Theo were both tied to chairs.
Sharon scanned the space. Nothing immediately seemed out of place.
When Theo saw her, his face lit up.
“Mommy!”
Sharon rushed to his side, pulled out the small knife she had tucked away, and cut through the ropes binding him.
The moment he was free, Theo flung himself into her arms, sobbing uncontrollably.
Sharon held him close, gently patting his back.
“Theo, did they hurt you?”
He shook his head. “No.”
Then, almost hesitantly, his eyes turned to Kelly. There was a flicker of uncertainty in his expression.
“Mom… Kelly…”
He wanted to speak for her, to plead on her behalf. But he hesitated.
He knew his mother didn’t like Kelly. And now, with her risking her life to save him, was this really the right time to bring up something she wouldn’t want to hear?
As he wrestled with the thought, Sharon looked over at Kelly, as if sensing something unspoken.
She looked even worse than she had in the video.
Sharon noticed the deep red welts circling her wrists, the skin broken where the ropes had cut in.
For a violinist, hands mattered more than a face.
Sensing her gaze, Kelly opened her mouth, as though trying to speak. But the words caught somewhere inside her.
Nothing came out.
Slowly, she lowered her head.
2/2
Chapter 543
Sharon was a little surprised. She had thought Kelly would beg her for help. Or at least ask Theo to plead on her behalf.
But she hadn’t expected Kelly to show a trace of backbone.
Sharon stared at Kelly for a few seconds, then walked over and cut the ropes binding her. If something went wrong later, having one more person capable of helping out couldn’t hurt.
Kelly rubbed her wrists and murmured, “Thank you.”
Sharon said nothing, her gaze returning to Theo.
“When we leave, stay close to me.”
Theo nodded hard. With his mother by his side, he didn’t feel as scared.
About ten minutes later, the sound of a door opening echoed from the entrance. A rough-looking man stepped inside. “Sharon,
the boss wants to see you.”
“All right.”
Just as she was about to follow him out, her sleeve was yanked tight.
Sharon turned to find Theo clutching her sleeve. His face was full of tension. “Mom, don’t go. Those bad people will hurt you.”
‘Just like they hurt Kelly,’ Theo couldn’t help thinking.
Sharon stroked his head. “They won’t. Trust me, sweetheart.”
After a few more words of comfort, she turned to Kelly. “Kelly, please help me look after Theo.”
Kelly gave a small nod. “I’ll protect him, even if it costs me my life.”
Sharon didn’t react to her words.
Kelly had always liked playing the saint in front of Theo. Sharon was used to it.
Not that she really feared Kelly would hurt him. Because if anything happened to Theo-even if it wasn’t Kelly’s fault-she and
Carter would be finished for good.
On that point, Kelly had always been clever. She knew that if she wanted to win over Carter, she had to win over Theo first. And she’d been working hard at that for years, with visible results.
Sharon followed the man out.
He led her down a corridor and stopped at a door at the far end.
He pushed it open.
Inside, a man in his mid-thirties sat in a chair, polishing a military knife.
When he saw her, he smiled. “Sharon. Right on time.”
A thick scar cut across his face, fierce and twisted, amplifying the menace in his expression.
“And you are…?”
The man introduced himself. “Dillon Yale.”
Sharon nodded. “Dillon, the money has already been delivered. Can we go now?”
1/2
Dillon chuckled. “What’s the rush, Sharon? Carter isn’t here yet. If you all leave now and something happens on the way, he might pin it on me. That wouldn’t be fair, would it?”
Sharon’s brow shifted ever so slightly. She understood. These people had no intention of letting them leave easily.
She wasn’t surprised. She’d already prepared for the possibility.
Anyone bold enough to kidnap Carter’s son and friend wasn’t in it just for the money.
As her thoughts turned, Sharon struck up a conversation with him.
“Dillon, if I may ask… do you have a grudge against Carter?”
“Of course,” Dillon said, his hand brushing the scar on his face. “Back then, when the Biggs Group was going after my family’s business, they pushed us into a corner. We fell into massive debt.
“My mother jumped off a building. My father landed in prison. My sister… she sold herself trying to pay off what we owed. Ended up in the hands of a monster and was tortured to death.
“So tell me, would you call that grudge deep enough?”
2/2
Chapter 544
Sharon asked, “So, Dillon, the ransom was just an excuse?”
Dillon replied, “It’s both an excuse and a real demand. If I can get revenge and walk away with a fortune, wouldn’t that be the best of both worlds?”
He looked at her with a crooked smile. “I’ve kidnapped Carter’s son and his first love. Knowing what kind of man he is, do you think he’ll just let me go? So why not take the gamble? No matter what happens, I won’t come out empty-handed.”
This man had a frighteningly clear head. The truly dangerous ones aren’t the brutes. It’s the ones who can think.
Sharon was silent for a few moments, then asked, “What do you plan to do?”
The kidnapper drawled, “Simple. Let Carter choose-his son, or his first love. I’m not a man of many virtues, but I do keep my word. Whoever he chooses, I’ll let go. Do you know why?”
Not wanting to provoke him, Sharon played along. “Why?”
Dillon gave a half-smile. “Because both of them are precious to him. If he chooses one and abandons the other, he’s bound to regret it. Who knows, he might even come to resent the one he chose. People are strange that way… we always want what we
can’t have.”
Sharon nodded. “There’s some truth to that. But this plan of yours to force Carter’s hand into making a choice may not play out as planned.”
Dillon raised a brow. “Oh? And why not?”
“Theo is Carter’s biological son and the future heir of the Biggs family. He’s only five. No matter how much Carter favors Kelly, she can’t compare to his own flesh and blood.” 2
Dillon fell quiet, his eyes narrowing in thought. After a few seconds, he gave a faint nod. “You make a good point.”
Sharon continued, “If you want Carter to make a choice, I can help you. Let Theo go. I’ll take his place as your hostage. I’m his biological mother. If Carter ends up choosing Kelly and gives up on me, Theo will resent him for it.
“When he grows up, he may even become his father’s rival. Wouldn’t watching father and son turn against each other be far more interesting than what you’re planning?”
Dillon looked at her differently now, as if seeing her for the first time.
“They say when a woman is truly ruthless, men don’t even come close. You… you’re really something.’
Then he glanced her up and down.
“But what if he chooses you? Won’t the three of you live happily ever after?”
Sharon smiled faintly. “If that happens, I’ll thank you for getting rid of my love rival. As you can see, he let me bring the money, which goes to show our relationship isn’t great.
“He divorced me for Kelly. So if he does choose me… consider the ransom your payment for her life.
I’ll even help stall him and make sure he doesn’t come after you.”
She paused for a beat before continuing, “You’re ready to risk it all because you assume Carter won’t let you live. But if I cooperate with you, not only can you walk away with the money, you might just escape alive.”
Dillon didn’t respond right away. His resolve was starting to crack.
After all, who could stay unmoved by that kind of money?
A few seconds passed. Then he looked at her. “You’re certain you can help me get away?”
Sharon nodded. “As long as you let Theo go, I give you my word. But if you kill the heir of the Biggs family, Carter will hunt you to the ends of the earth.”
2/2
Chapter 545
Dillon paused to think for a few seconds, then looked up with a smile. “Sharon, you’re very persuasive? D
Sharon met his gaze. “Then, Dillon, do we have a deal?”
Still smiling, Dillon said, “Negotiating with a clever person really is a pleasure. You’ve been so considerate toward me, I almost feel reluctant to kill you.”
Sharon offered a faint smile. “I do have my own reasons. Theo is my son, after all. And I want to live.
Helping you, Dillon, is essentially helping myself.”
Her candor seemed to please him.
“Smart women like you, Sharon, are rare. I’d truly hate to waste such talent. How about this; even if Carter doesn’t choose you, as long as you help me escape, I won’t kill you. How does that sound?”
Sharon nodded. “Then, would you be willing to release Theo first?”
Dillon agreed readily. “No problem.”
With that, he gave a brief order to his men and led her to the room where Theo and Kelly were being held.
The moment the door opened, Theo rushed forward.
“Mommy!”
Sharon caught him in a hug and said gently, “In a little while, this gentleman will let you go. I’ll call your father, and he’ll come pick you up.
Theo blinked, confused. “But what about you, Mommy? And Kelly?”
Before Sharon could answer, Kelly spoke first.
“Theo, you go ahead. Sharon and I will be fine.”
But Theo clung tightly to Sharon’s hand. “No! If Mommy’s not leaving, I’m not leaving!”
Sharon’s heart, long frozen and still, was stirred by the boy’s words.
He was, after all, her own flesh and blood, her son. No matter how disappointed she was in him, as a mother, she couldn’t turn
her back on him now.
She gently patted his head. “You have to go first so I can leave safely too. If you stay, I’ll keep worrying about you and won’t be able to focus.”
Theo gazed up at her, teary-eyed, his expression filled with trust and dependence.
Just then, Dillon spoke. “Sharon, call Carter. I don’t want to drag this out. Too many things can go wrong the longer we wait.”
Delays would only give Carter more time to prepare, and that was dangerous for Dillon.
Sharon nodded and, in full view of Dillon, dialed Carter’s number.
Kelly and Theo both stared at her, bewildered.
Why was the kidnapper treating Sharon so well?
After a brief conversation, Sharon hung up.
1/2
“He’ll be here in ten minutes.”
“Good,” Dillon replied. “Then we wait.”
Roughly seven or eight minutes later, Sharon’s phone rang again.
Carter had arrived.
Dillon chuckled. “Since he’s here, let’s head out together. While you distract him, I’ll slip away.”
Sharon had no objections.
But Kelly stared at her in disbelief. “Distract Carter? Sharon, what… what does he mean by that?”
Sharon replied coolly, “Kelly, now isn’t the time to discuss this. Theo’s safety comes first.”
With that, she took Theo’s hand and turned to leave.
But Kelly suddenly stepped in front of her, refusing to back down.
“Sharon, do you know the kidnapper?”
Sharon’s expression darkened. “Kelly, move.”
Kelly stood her ground, pale but defiant.
“Not until you explain what’s going on!”
Sharon had reached the end of her patience. With a sharp crack, she slapped Kelly hard across the face.
“Get out of my way!”
2/2
Chapter 546
Kelly fell to the ground, clutching her cheek, staring at Sharon in utter disbelief.
Even Theo stood frozen, startled by what had just happened.
Sharon ignored Kelly and turned to Dillon. “Dillon, let’s leave-before anything unexpected happens.”
Dillon smiled and nodded. “Let’s go.”
Holding Theo’s hand, Sharon moved quickly toward the exit.
“Mommy…” Theo glanced back at Kelly, a flicker of worry in his young eyes.
Sharon’s expression darkened.
Men like Dillon-desperate fugitives with nothing to lose-were the most untrustworthy. He seemed agreeable now, but who knew when he might suddenly turn on them?
On the way there, Sharon had spoken with Dillon. He’d said, “To be honest, we’ve been watching your family for nearly a year. Kidnapping isn’t easy, especially when the target is someone like Carter.
You always went from home to school and back again. Just two places. No gaps. No opportunity.
I thought we’d never get a window, until your ex-husband’s first love came back into the picture.”
At that, Dillon had chuckled.
“Originally, I planned to kidnap you. But after months of surveillance, it became clear that your ex-husband didn’t give a damn about you. Even if I took you, I doubted it would rattle him. So I changed the plan-snatch Kelly and your son instead. Problem was, Carter rarely left them unguarded. We had to wait for the perfect moment.
“From what I saw, your kid ran off on his own a lot, but I suspected someone was always watching him from the shadows. I couldn’t take the risk. What if Carter had set up a trap? If Kelly hadn’t stepped away and left your son alone that day, we wouldn’t
have had a chance.”
Hearing that, Sharon’s expression had turned ice cold.
So Kelly had taken Theo out, and that was when he’d been kidnapped.
As Dillon said, it hadn’t been a matter of mere luck—it had required precise timing, the right conditions, and someone letting
their guard down.
Snapping back to the present, Sharon’s brow furrowed slightly. She cast a fleeting glance at Dillon.
He caught it. His eyes, half-lidded in amusement, met hers with a subtle, unsettling smile.
He was watching her, something unreadable glittering in his gaze,
A strange suspicion stirred in Sharon’s mind. She instinctively tightened her grip on Theo’s small hand.
“Ow, Mom…” Theo winced and frowned as her grip became too firm.
Dillon laughed. “Sharon, why are you looking at me like that? Do you have something to say?”
Sharon stared at him. “You-”
Before she could finish, Dillon cut her off.
“Relax. As we agreed, I’ll let you and your son go. As for that woman…”
1/2
He turned toward Kelly with a sly, cruel smirk.
“I’ll take care of her for you. But the two-out-of-three game we arranged still needs to be played through. Otherwise, it’ll all look like child’s play. Carter might not even believe it.”
Kelly’s eyes flew open wide. She shrieked.
“Sharon, this kidnapping… Was it your plan?!”
Theo looked between them, utterly confused.
“Mommy, what are they talking about? What does he mean? What’s going on?”
A knot of dread twisted in Sharon’s chest.
She glanced at Dillon again.
He gave a knowing smile. “Ah, Sharon, sharp as ever. You figured it out.”
Then, turning to Kelly, he added with mock pity, “If you’d had even half of Sharon’s intelligence, you wouldn’t have ended up
like this.”
2/2
Chapter 547
Kelly blinked, momentarily stunned. “What did you just say?”
Theo glanced back and forth between the adults, utterly confused by the exchange. He didn’t understand what any of it meant, but one thing stuck with him clearly.
Kelly had said the kidnapper knew his mom.
And now that he thought about it, the man had treated his mom very differently, far less aggressively than he had treated him or
Kelly.
The boy’s young mind swirled with questions.
He opened his mouth to speak, but stopped when he noticed how dark his mother’s expression had grown. Her pace quickened.
Theo struggled to keep up, his legs moving rapidly just to match her stride.
From the moment the kidnapper demanded that she bring the ransom, Sharon had sensed something was off.
And now, she couldn’t ignore the fact: whenever Theo had gone out with anyone else, he’d never been in danger. Yet the one time he was with Kelly, he ended up kidnapped.
Too convenient to be a coincidence.
Others might not know Kelly’s true nature, but Sharon knew all too well.
When she first saw her again, Kelly had looked disheveled, but not panicked. Nothing like the wild, desperate woman she’d been the day she stabbed Carter.
And when Sharon had proposed a hostage exchange, Dillon had agreed with suspicious ease.
It was all too smooth. Too rehearsed.
Dillon had noticed Sharon’s realization. He no longer bothered pretending. He even confirmed her suspicions outright.
The little speech he’d just made… was likely meant for Theo to overhear.
After all, what child would lie about something like that?
It seemed Kelly was trying to pin the entire kidnapping on Sharon.
But looking deeper, what if Kelly intended to use this as a chance to eliminate her and Theo? Or maybe… just her.
Then, Kelly could have Theo testify that his mother had conspired with the kidnapper. That they’d fallen out over splitting the ransom. That the kidnapper, in a fit of rage, had killed her.
Whichever way it played out, both Sharon and Theo were in extreme danger. And she wasn’t going to risk his life on a bet. Holding his hand tightly, she led him quickly toward the exit.
Dillon watched them go with an amused smile, making no move to stop them.
They had just stepped into the open yard outside the factory when Dillon called out.
“Sharon, have your son stand in the middle of the lot. Once Carter arrives, he can make his choice. The one he picks can leave with the boy.”
Sharon turned to him. “Can’t you let Theo go first? He’s just a child. There’s no reason to keep him here.”
Dillon shrugged. “Thought it over. Letting people go one by one is just too troublesome. Easier to have them leave together.”
1/2
Sharon’s heart sank.
As expected, Dillon had gone back on his word.
She didn’t show any sign of disappointment. Nor did she bother confronting him. She had never believed a word that came out of a kidnapper’s mouth.
When she didn’t immediately move, Dillon casually pulled out a pistol from somewhere inside his coat.
“Sharon, let go of your son’s hand. Walk over to me.”
Left with no choice, Sharon complied.
Dillon let out a quiet breath. “Now, we just wait for Carter to make his choice.”
Two minutes later, Carter appeared at the gate. His eyes swept across the scene, calmly assessing everyone before finally settling on Dillon.
He asked, “What are your terms for their release?”
Dillon responded casually, “I’ve already promised Sharon that I’ll release the boy. As for these two lovely ladies…”
His eyes gleamed with a strange, flickering light.
“You get to pick one.”
2/2
Chapter 548
Before Carter could speak, the sound of hurried footsteps echoed in from a distance, drawing closer with every beat.
“Carter! Pick Kelly!”
Nate appeared out of nowhere, hobbling toward them on an unsteady leg.
Carter frowned. “What are you doing here?”
Nate looked distraught. “If I didn’t come, Kelly wouldn’t stand a chance today! Carter, hurry-choose Kelly! She still has unfinished wishes, just a few months left to live. We can’t let her die here!”
Last night, Nate had taken such a beating from his father that he could barely get out of bed. He’d planned to stay home and recover. But earlier, a call from Julliard shattered that plan-Kelly had been kidnapped. (1)
As soon as he heard, he rushed over as fast as his injuries would allow, terrified that if he were even a minute late, she’d be dead.
Carter’s voice came cool and measured, rational and clear.
“If she only has a few months left… shouldn’t I choose someone who might live longer?”
Nate froze, stunned. He couldn’t believe what he’d just heard.
Had Carter really said that? Wasn’t he always the one most inclined to protect Kelly?
Carter continued, “Kelly is terminally ill. She doesn’t have long. She can offer her chance at life to someone else. She’s kind. I’m sure she’d understand.”
With that, he turned to face Kelly.
“Kelly. Am I right?”
For a moment, the fragile mask on Kelly’s face slipped. She forced a smile that barely held. “Carter is right. There’s no point in trying to save me now.”
Then her eyes drifted to Theo, who stood frozen in place.
“Theo, go with your mom. Don’t worry about me.”
He’d heard it earlier-everything. The way his mother had spoken to the kidnapper. His mother knew the kidnapper.
Theo’s eyes flickered, uncertainty shadowing his face.
His small brows knotted in hesitation, but after a pause, he gave a faint nod.
Kelly’s expression faltered.
Her fists clenched at her sides as fury surged up her throat, hot enough to choke.
Just as she’d feared-utter ingratitude. She’d been good to him, and still it meant nothing. 1)
Before the kidnapper could speak, Nate’s furious voice exploded into the space.
“Carter, what the hell are you saying? Sharon’s life matters, but Kelly’s doesn’t? I won’t stand by while you let Kelly die!”
Carter’s voice cooled another degree, now edged with steel.
“Then what do you propose?”
Nate blinked, caught off guard. Reflexively, he answered, “Of course I want to save Kelly!”
Carter said, “Right now, Theo and Sharon are in the hands of a kidnapper. Tell me, how do we save them?”
Nate opened his mouth. “Didn’t the kidnapper say it himself? He wants you to choose. Just pick Kelly and be done with it…”
His voice trailed off. Even he realized something didn’t sit right.
But soon, his confidence surged again.
“Back then, I lured away your pursuers in your place. If Kelly hadn’t saved me, I’d have died. We owe her our lives. This is just repaying the debt. Carter, you’re not going to go back on that, are you?”
Carter’s tone stayed cold. “And everything I’ve done for her since then… what do you think that was?”
Nate’s gaze flickered. He avoided the question. “Whatever the case, today you have to choose Kelly…”
Carter cut him off.
“You want me to stand in front of Theo, and choose a dying woman with only months left to live…
and abandon his mother? Nate, listen to yourself. Doesn’t that sound insane to you?”
From the side, Sharon’s eyes widened slightly, surprised,
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Hearing Carter’s words, Sharon realized–with a quiet jolt-that he was choosing her.
It caught her off guard, but only just. In truth, it made a strange kind of sense. This was who Carter had always been: cool- headed, rational to a fault.
Even now, she could feel a toxic stare boring into her.
She turned her head and found Kelly glaring at her, lips bloodless from being bitten down hard, eyes red with fury.
Kelly hadn’t expected this. Not at all.
Carter had been given two choices, and he had chosen Sharon. He had divorced Sharon for her. How could he choose Sharon
now?
A cold smirk tugged at the corner of Sharon’s lips.
Kelly had played the same hand for years-her terminal illness, her tragic sweetness-tugging on Carter’s sympathy, weaving a perfect image of gentle suffering for the world to admire.
Now, she’d finally overplayed it.
Poetic justice.
Still, Sharon felt no joy in being chosen. She knew too well that it was nothing more than a cost-benefit analysis, just another one of Carter’s decisions made with his usual, mechanical precision.
From the sidelines, Dillon’s voice broke through the stillness. “So, Mr. Biggs, your choice… is your ex-wife, Sharon?”
Carter was silent for a moment. Then he said, simply, “Yes.”
Nate’s eyes widened in disbelief. “Carter!”
The metallic tang of blood filled Kelly’s mouth. She had bitten through her lip as she cursed Sharon to death inwardly.
Carter ignored Nate and looked straight at Dillon.
“I’ve made my choice. Now let them go.”
Dillon agreed without hesitation. “Sure. Sharon, you’re free to leave.”
Sharon walked toward Theo and reached for his hand.
But then, everything went wrong.
“Watch out!” Carter’s voice cut sharply through the air.
Sharon, her back to Dillon, had no idea what was happening behind her. 1
Then came the gunshot.
Her instincts kicked in. Heart racing, she threw herself over Theo, wrapping him in her arms as they rolled to the ground.
In the chaos, a voice screamed, ragged and raw.
“Theo! Run! I’ll hold him off!”
It was Kelly.
She’d lunged forward and clung tightly to Dillon’s arm, shouting so loud her voice cracked and turned shrill. 2
Dillon’s expression darkened. With a snarl, he slapped her hard across the face.
Smack.
Her head snapped to the side. But she didn’t let go.
Like she couldn’t feel the pain at all, she just held on tighter.
Fury flared in Dillon’s eyes. This time, he threw her with all his strength. Her body hit the floor hard.
Still, Kelly didn’t stop. She clawed her way back and clung to his leg, dragging him down, refusing to let go.
Everyone around them froze. Stunned. No one moved.
Sharon saw her chance.
Dillon’s attention had shifted, just for a moment.
She scooped Theo into her arms and ran.
Carter moved fast, stepping in to shield them with his body.
By then, Simon had arrived with backup, having heard the gunshot.
Carter gave him a curt order. “Get them to safety. Now.”
Chaos erupted in all directions.
As Sharon and Theo were being led out, a deafening explosion ripped through the air behind them.
At the hospital, while Sharon waited for the results of Theo’s full-body exam, Kelly was being wheeled into emergency care.
Blood covered her body. Her face was pale. Her breathing, faint.
Sharon frowned slightly at the sight.
“How is Kelly?” she asked.
Neither Carter nor Nate answered. They were too occupied, too lost in their own storms.
It was Julliard who finally paused beside her and began to explain the events.
A
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Julliard said, “Kelly was quite heavily injured when the kidnapper took her hostage. But luckily, none of the wounds were critical. She should pull through. You don’t need to worry.”
Sharon hadn’t been worried about Kelly at all. She knew Kelly wouldn’t go down so easily.
She asked, “How did you manage to rescue her?”
Julliard didn’t hide anything. “Carter distracted the kidnapper while I went to track the money. With that much cash involved, they couldn’t just disappear quietly-it made them a target. Once we secured the henchmen, Carter and I launched a pincer
attack.”
He paused for a moment before continuing, “But Kelly was still in their hands. We had to be careful. We couldn’t afford to make any reckless moves.”
Sharon’s brows drew together slightly. “Did you catch Dillon?”
“Dillon?” Julliard gave her a puzzled look.
“The one holding Kelly hostage.”
Julliard shook his head. “No. He’s clever and skilled. Managed to escape into the woods with Kelly still in his grasp. We couldn’t catch him. But don’t worry, Carter and I have people chasing him down.”
Sharon didn’t seem the least bit surprised.
If Kelly truly was working with Dillon, then letting him escape was essential. He could never be caught.
The doors to the operating room slammed shut behind Kelly as she was wheeled in for emergency treatment.
Nate turned to Carter and said, “Carter, now you owe Kelly your life again.”
Carter frowned but said nothing.
Nate continued, “When you had to choose between them, you didn’t pick Kelly. And yet she didn’t hold it against you. She even risked her life to hold back the kidnapper so Theo could escape. That’s how she got hurt. If that’s not saving your life, I don’t
know what is!” 1
Nate was back to moral blackmail.
Sharon’s lips curved into a cold, mocking smile.
She actually pitied Kelly.
Nate might be a useful mouthpiece, but he was painfully naive.
This little performance of Kelly’s-getting hurt for sympathy-was probably her best bet at regaining some of Carter’s favor.
But it was one thing for Carter to feel guilty on his own, and another to be guilt-tripped like this.
Think about it-who wants to constantly be indebted to someone? Always a step behind, always being reminded that you owe them? The moment you fail to meet their expectations, they throw your supposed “debt” back in your face.
Carter had already done more than enough for Kelly.
He’d paid Sharon 100 million for Kelly. He’d even divorced Sharon for her. He’d stolen Sharon’s career opportunities, thrown every resource he could Kelly’s way…
The list went on.
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And after all that, instead of being grateful, Kelly acted as if it was only right –like he owed her.
In time, so-called gratitude morphs into leverage.
+15 BONUS
This time, Kelly had taken such a risk because she must’ve realized she was losing her grip on Carter. That’s why she staged this
whole thing.
Whether she was trying to win back sympathy or eliminate Sharon altogether-that part, Sharon hadn’t figured out yet.
When Carter didn’t respond, Nate kept pushing, nagging him not to forget this “life-saving debt.”
Carter remained silent, neither agreeing nor refuting.
Nate then turned, noticing Sharon standing nearby, her face blank. As if a thought struck him, he raised his voice.
“Sharon, don’t forget, you owe Kelly your life, too!”
Sharon shot back with biting sarcasm. “Did Kelly save the whole world? Does the entire planet owe her a life now?”
Nate was stunned for a moment, then jabbed a finger at her in fury. “You ungrateful woman! If Kelly hadn’t held off the kidnapper, do you really think you’d have escaped that easily?!”
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“Trying to deny that now, are you? Sharon, I’m telling you, fat chance!”
Sharon cast a sidelong glance at Nate. “So? What are you going to do about it?”
Nate opened his mouth. “I…”
But the words caught in his throat.
That’s right. Even if Sharon refused to admit it, what could he really do?
If someone was willing to offer compensation, that was called conscience. But if they’re not, it meant nothing. It was entirely up to them.
Sharon spoke again, “Besides, I don’t believe Kelly saved me. She didn’t take a bullet for me, nor did she come to pay the ransom. So, how exactly did she save my life?”
She smiled at Nate. “If anything, I’m the one who did Kelly a favor. I risked my life to pay the ransom. Without my cooperation, she might have been killed long ago.”
“Since you’re someone who claims to value gratitude, Nate, I’d hope you won’t forget to repay me properly for saving Kelly. Let’s not be ungrateful, shall we?”
Nate was left speechless, stunned by her shameless logic. “You… you didn’t go to save Kelly! You went to save Theo!”
Sharon replied evenly, “Theo is my son. Of course, I went to save him. But Kelly? What is she to me? Why should I risk my life to save her for nothing?”
Her expression was cold, and her words merciless.
“Of course,” she added, “if Kelly is willing to be my daughter, then I’ll consider that debt repaid.”
Nate’s face turned red. He was so furious he nearly passed out from the rage.
Just then, the sound of hurried footsteps echoed from nearby.
“Sharon! Are you and Theo all right?”
Wendy and Xavier rushed over, with Thomas following close behind.
Wendy ran straight to Sharon and, seeing she wasn’t injured, let out a heavy sigh of relief.
She looked down at Theo. “Theo, what about you? Are you hurt?”
Theo shook his head. “I’m fine.”
Wendy turned back to Sharon, worry etched on her face. “Sharon, you were far too reckless—going to face those kidnappers alone! You scared me half to death! Those criminals were dangerous, heartless people. Thank goodness you both came out of it safely.”
After a pause, she gently added to Theo, “This time, your mom saved your life. She took a huge risk for you. You must promise not to make her angry again.”
Theo looked like he wanted to say something, but held back. In the end, he simply nodded.
His mom saved him. So did Kelly.
Wendy checked the time and asked, “Sharon, are you going to stay here, or… come back with us?”
A trace of fatigue appeared on Sharon’s face. Dealing with those ruthless kidnappers had pushed her nerves to the edge. And
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after everything that happened, she was truly exhausted.
“I’ll come with you,” she said.
But before she could take a step, Nate cut in sharply, “Kelly’s still in surgery! You have to stay here and wait for Kelly. You’re not going anywhere!”
Sharon shot back without missing a beat, “What’s the rush? Can’t wait to make Kelly my daughter already?”
Nate lost all reason in his fury. “Sharon, if you dare insult Kelly again, I swear I’ll tear that mouth of yours apart!”
Xavier stepped forward, placing himself in front of Sharon. “I’d like to see you try.”
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Wendy also stepped forward. “Just try laying a finger on Sharon!”
Nate was about to speak again when Julliard stopped him.
“Sharon has been on edge all day for Theo’s sake, facing off against those cold-blooded kidnappers. She must be exhausted by now. We’ll stay here and keep watch at the hospital. Let her go back and rest.”
Though he blocked Nate’s path, Julliard was clearly speaking to Carter.
Carter glanced at Sharon. Seeing the fatigue written on her face, he gave a faint nod.
“Go home and rest. If anything happens here, I’ll call you right away.”
Sharon turned to Theo. “Will you come back with me?”
It was the first time she had invited Theo since moving out of the Biggs household. Kelly was still in surgery, and Carter would undoubtedly stay behind to wait for news. Though Theo had been through a terrifying ordeal today, she still bore the responsibility of being his mother.
Even though she and Carter were divorced, and she had given up custody, it didn’t mean she could simply stop caring. Until Theo came of age, she had duties she couldn’t ignore. Still, she would no longer love him as selflessly as before.
Theo was momentarily stunned by her question. Had it been in the past, he would’ve immediately declined her invitation.
But now… things were different.
His parents were divorced.
He even felt abandoned at times. He used to find his mother’s concern suffocating, but now… he missed her home-cooked meals. He wanted to go back with her.
But… what about Kelly?
A look of hesitation crossed his face, torn between two choices.
Nate seized the moment. “Theo, don’t forget that when you tried to leave, that kidnapper pointed a gun at you. If it weren’t for Kelly risking her life to hold him back, you’d be dead right now.”
He shot a loaded glance at Sharon. “Don’t be like certain people-ungrateful and heartless.”
Sharon couldn’t be bothered to argue with Nate. She simply looked calmly at Theo.
“Are you coming with me, or staying here to wait for Kelly?”
Theo lowered his head, avoiding her gaze. “You should go home first, Mom. I’ll stay… and wait with Kelly.”
Kelly had told him that his mother knew the kidnapper. He wanted to wait until Kelly woke up to ask her what had really happened.
On the way to the hospital, he’d been wrestling with whether or not to tell his father. In the end, he decided to keep it to himself …for now.
Deep down, he didn’t believe his mother was connected to the kidnapper. He hoped it was all just a misunderstanding
Sharon’s expression didn’t change. She neither looked disappointed nor tried to persuade him. She simply nodded. “All right.
Then I’ll head back first.”
With that, she gestured for Wendy and the others to follow her and turned to leave.
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Theo watched her retreating figure, a twinge of sadness tugging at his heart. He really wanted to go with her. But he couldn’t leave Kelly behind. 1
If only his mother could stay at the hospital with him and wait for Kelly to wake up-that would be perfect.
Thomas followed quietly behind the group as they left the hospital.
Earlier, when Sharon went to negotiate with the kidnapper and Carter went to back her up, Thomas had been told to remain at the Biggs family estate. But even then, someone had been assigned to watch him closely,
After Denise came downstairs and saw Thomas sitting in the living room, her eyes lit up. She immediately walked over and struck up a conversation.
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Denise wasn’t particularly interested in men. But no one could completely ignore something beautiful.
Thomas started talking to her too.
As their conversation deepened, Denise found herself treating him like a confidant.
She wasn’t the kind of person who could keep things to herself. A few casual questions from Thomas, and she spilled everything about her family like a bag of marbles tumbling open.
From the state of her household, she moved on to her brother, and then to Sharon and Theo. By the end of the afternoon, Thomas had a clear picture of the entire Biggs family.
It wasn’t until Carter called to check in and told her that Theo had been rescued that Denise finally stopped talking.
Soon after, under arrangements made by Carter’s assistant, Thomas made his way to the hospital, where he ran into Wendy and Xavier. They went up together.
Later, after leaving the hospital, Sharon and Wendy sat in the back seat of the car. Xavier drove, while Thomas took the
passenger seat.
Wendy couldn’t hold back her question. “Sharon, what happened? You’ve raised Theo all these years, and nothing like this has ever happened. Why was he suddenly kidnapped this time?”
Sharon leaned back, tired. “I suspect this whole kidnapping was orchestrated by Kelly.”
The car fell silent.
All eyes turned to her.
Wendy finally spoke. “Sharon, do you have any proof?”
Sharon shook her head. “That man, Dillon… his attitude said enough. He didn’t admit it outright, but his words were ambiguous. Theo was there, but I doubt he understood the nuances.”
Wendy frowned. “So Kelly arranged Theo’s kidnapping to stage a pity play? She really went all in. She must’ve realized Carter started suspecting her because of what Uriah said… so this was her response?”
Sharon turned her eyes toward the passing night outside the window. “Dillon’s gun was real. I think Kelly genuinely wanted me
dead.”
Wendy gasped. “No way. She’s always been good at playing the victim, and sure, being a mistress is one thing… but hiring a killer? She’s seriously crossed a line.”
Sharon replied, “It’s just my theory. We won’t know for sure unless we catch Dillon.”
At that moment, Xavier spoke from the driver’s seat, “I’ve already sent people after him. With Carter, Julliard, and myself involved, he won’t be able to hide for long.”
Sharon’s tone softened. “Thank you, Xavier.”
Wendy muttered, “I knew something was off. You went through all that trouble to rescue Theo, and then what does he do? He stays behind for Kelly. That foolish kid! She’s tricked him again.”
Sharon didn’t respond. She just kept watching the night blur past the window. But that wasn’t what was weighing on her mind.
What troubled her was something else entirely. Kelly had made sure Theo believed she knew the kidnapper. That meant Kelly might be planning to pin the entire kidnapping on her.
1/2
For a brief moment, Sharon couldn’t help
couldn’t kill Sharon, she’d turn herself into a victim.
When had Kelly become so clever?
The night was deep and silent. It was already 1:30 a.m.
Thomas stood by the window, phone in hand, staring across at the building where Sharon lived.
His voice drifted into the still darkness like a devil’s whisper.
“Sharon can’t die. At least… not until I say so. No one touches her before that.”
Chapter
Chapter 554
After a round of emergency treatment, Kelly was no longer in any danger.
Carter, Theo, and Nate stayed by her side through the night, never leaving the hospital.
The next day, their care continued-gentle words, attentive gestures, concern at every turn.
Kelly noticed that Carter and Theo, who had gradually begun to grow distant, were now treating her just as they used to.
She was pleased.
She hadn’t managed to kill Sharon, true. But regaining the hearts of both father and son-well, that was still a win in her book. That day, Nate had gone out to buy food. Kelly sat alone on the hospital bed, idly scrolling through her phone, bored out of her mind. Her injuries looked severe, but in truth, they weren’t serious-just superficial wounds. Nothing that would interfere with her upcoming concert.
A soft knock sounded on the hospital room door.
She assumed it was Nate.
“Nate, did Carter say anything about when he’s coming…”
She froze mid-sentence.
“Thomas… What are you doing here?”
Thomas placed a bouquet of flowers beside her and smiled.
“You’ve been badly hurt. Isn’t it only natural for me to come check on you? What’s wrong? Am I not welcome?”
Kelly forced a thin smile. “Of course not. It’s just… if Nate or Carter walk in and see you here, they might start asking questions.”
She had no idea Thomas had already made contact with Sharon.
Thomas’s tone was casual. “Don’t worry. My people are keeping Nate occupied. He won’t be back for a while. As for Carter, he’s at a contract signing right now. He won’t be showing up anytime soon. No one’s going to find out.”
Kelly stiffened slightly. Her palms grew damp with cold sweat.
Neither of them spoke. Silence settled over the room like a thin layer of dust.
After a while, Kelly broke it.
“Thomas… is Dillon your guy?”
Thomas gave a faint smile. “I manage the black market. Every transaction, every contract goes through me in one way or another. Nothing escapes my eyes.”
Her lips parted slightly, and the panic on her face slowly drained away, replaced by something darker, colder.
“Then tell me, why didn’t you kill Sharon?”
“I told you my reasons last time,” Thomas replied calmly. “But what about you, Kelly? You planned something this big, and you didn’t come to me at all?”
He gave her a half-smile. “Or do you not trust me?”
Kelly took a deep breath.
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“It’s not that I didn’t want to tell you I was afraid that if things went wrong, it would drag you down too. I figured… if I was Ening to do it, I might as well go all the way. That’s why I went through the black market.”
Thomas said, “Kelly, your plan was full of holes. If I hadn’t stepped in to clean things up, you wouldn’t have lasted long enough for Sharon to even show up for the exchange. Carter and Julliard would’ve had you cornered in no time.”
Kelly knew he was right. When it came to strategy, she wasn’t even in the same league. Ten of her couldn’t outmaneuver one
Thomas
But Sharon had stirred something in her-a gnawing sense of threat, of urgency. Sharon had become a thorn under Kelly’s skin, impossible to ignore. No matter the cost, Kelly had to get rid of her. 1
Kelly looked straight at Thomas. “So it was you. You turned my plan to kill Sharon into a pity play?”
Thomas didn’t deny it. “Dillon was someone I reassigned for you. He’s sharp, skilled, and a perfect shot. Even in a crisis, he knows how to keep things under control Far more reliable than those anonymous mercenaries you scraped together from the black market.”
Kelly pressed her lips together, saying nothing
Black market dealings were always anonymous. In truth, she had no idea who she had actually hired.
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Kelly had thought Dillon was just another hired hand brought in for the kidnapping. But as it turned out, her original hire had been replaced, and Thomas had sent in Dillon instead.
No wonder he seemed to know everything. No wonder he’d deliberately warned Sharon.
Kelly fell silent for a moment.
“But I still believe that eliminating Sharon is the best solution. Thomas, wasn’t that your original suggestion too? Why have you changed your mind now?”
She stared at him, unblinking. “Don’t tell me… you’ve fallen for her?”
Thomas arched a brow slightly. “And why would I fall for her?”
Kelly faltered but answered honestly, “Because… she’s prettier than me.”
Thomas replied coolly, “There are plenty of women more beautiful than you. Does that mean I’ll fall for all of them?”
Kelly didn’t respond.
If she really were the one Thomas had been looking for all this time, maybe she wouldn’t feel so insecure. But she wasn’t. And that’s exactly why she was desperate to get rid of Sharon.
She quickly changed the subject. “There’s something else. Dillon hinted to Sharon that I was behind the kidnapping. What did he mean by that? Was he trying to sell me out?”
Thomas answered calmly, “I told him to say it.”
Kelly stared at him in disbelief. “Why would you do that? That only makes her suspicious of me!”
Thomas gave her a sidelong glance.
“You think just because you didn’t tell her anything, she wouldn’t start suspecting you? Dillon has a personal grudge against Carter. So why would he have Carter’s ex-wife come to negotiate? Why not just kill Carter instead of his ex-wife? What would be the point of that? To hurt him emotionally? But if their relationship was really that strong, why did they get divorced? Unless…”
Thomas paused awhile before continuing, “You were trying to kill Theo too?” (1
Kelly opened her mouth but couldn’t find the words.
She had no intention of killing Theo. If Carter’s only child died and he went mad with grief, he’d stop at nothing to track Dillon down-and possibly her as well. 1
There’d be no benefit in that. He might even expose her.
She lowered her head. “I… I didn’t think that far.”
Thomas said, “Even if Sharon suspects you, she has no proof. There’s no need to worry. Besides, the real reason I had Dillon say those things… was to see if she was smart enough. And she didn’t disappoint me.”
Kelly couldn’t make sense of it. “What’s the point of testing her?”
Thomas’s dark eyes suddenly turned unreadably deep. A strange, crooked smile touched his lips.
“Because I’ve figured out a way to deal with her-for you.”
Kelly’s eyes lit up instantly. “Really? What is it?”
Thomas raised a finger to his lips, signaling silence. “Let’s keep it a surprise.” 1
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The fact that Thomas had turned her assassination plan into a sympathy play still gnawed at her. It left her frustrated and uneasy. But now, hearing him speak like that, warmth bloomed in her chest.
She knew exactly what Thomas was capable of. If he truly applied himself, taking care of Sharon would be effortless.
“All right,” Kelly said, finally smiling again. “I’ll wait for your surprise.”
When Thomas saw the time, he rose to leave. As he reached the ground floor, Nate came walking in his direction with lunch in
hand.
Thomas passed by without a glance, as if Nate didn’t exist.
Nate, as if struck by a sudden realization, stopped in his tracks.
“Hey. You… stop right there.”
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Thomas stopped and turned to look at Nate. “Were you calling me?”
Nate nodded, frowning. “What are you doing here?”
Thomas’s striking appearance was unforgettable-Nate recognized him immediately. He clearly remembered that Thomas had arrived yesterday with Wendy and the others.
“I’m here to see a doctor,” Thomas replied, expressionless.
Nate eyed him from head to toe, skeptical. “See a doctor? What could you possibly be sick with?
You’re not here to cause trouble for Kelly because of Sharon, are you?”
Thomas replied lazily, “Not everyone has as much free time as you do, sir.”
With that, he turned and walked off.
Nate watched him leave, a strange feeling stirring in his chest. When he returned to the hospital room, Kelly was stunned at the sight of his bruised and swollen face.
“Nate, what happened to your eye?”
Just hearing the question reignited Nate’s anger.
Gritting his teeth, he growled, “I ran into some lunatic while I was out getting lunch. He started screaming at me, calling me the lover of his girlfriend. Before I could even get a word out, he punched me right in the face!
“Damn it, how could I let that slide? Of course, I chased after him. But the bastard ambushed me from the shadows, tripped me on purpose, and I fell face-first into the ground. He used the chance to make a clean getaway.”
His expression darkened. “If I hadn’t promised to bring your lunch back, I would’ve hunted that rat down myself.”
What he didn’t say was that he had fought back, but he’d been no match for the guy. And there was one detail too humiliating to mention, one that cut at his pride as a man: The sneaky bastard had kicked him squarely in the groin.
Even now, the pain made him grit his teeth. He couldn’t even walk properly.
Never one to let things slide, Nate had already called Julliard to help track the guy down.
Kelly’s face froze for just a moment.
Thomas had told her earlier that his people would stall Nate. Could this attack have been Thomas’s doing?
Most people, if they wanted to delay someone, would spill a drink on them, stop to ask directions, or steal something.
But Thomas? His idea of stalling was a full-blown assault. The way his mind worked… was definitely not normal. 1
Nate now looked utterly pathetic, like a beaten dog. There wasn’t a trace left of his usual air of a privileged heir. Even when he’d done time in prison, Kelly had never seen him look this wrecked.
As she drifted in her thoughts, Nate’s voice pulled her back to the present.
“Kelly, here’s your lunch. Eat up first. I’ve got something to take care of. I’ll be back later.”
With that, he left in a hurry.
He needed to get himself checked out-fast. What if something had been permanently damaged? He couldn’t stand the thought of ending up impotent… (1
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After leaving the hospital, Thomas headed to Sharon’s studio.
That morning, Wendy had driven him there and familiarized him with the location. She had also handed him a bank card so he could buy anything he needed.
When Thomas entered the studio, he saw a young woman he didn’t recognize sitting at a piano, playing. To his surprise, she was playing First Love-his favorite piece.
Thomas raised an eyebrow.
Was this song really that popular now? You could hear it everywhere?
Sensing someone nearby, Casey looked up. When she saw the strikingly handsome man who had just stepped through the door, she paused, slightly startled
“Sir, can I help you?”
Thomas smiled. “I’m here for work. Is Wendy or Sharon in?”
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Casey rose to her feet. “They’re upstairs. I’ll take you to them.”
“Thank you,” Thomas replied.
She led him up the stairs to find Sharon and Wendy. Along the way, Casey kept glancing at the man beside her.
His looks were so exceptional that even in the entertainment industry, he would rank among the top.
However…
He didn’t seem like the type who studied music.
Musicians often carried an intangible artistic aura. But with him, she couldn’t feel any of it.
As they approached Sharon’s rehearsal room, the sound of a violin drifted out. It was one of Sharon’s original compositions, Starry Night.
They planned to feature it as the finale in their upcoming performance, and Sharon had been practicing it often lately.
Casey raised her hand to knock, but Thomas stopped her gently.
“Let her finish the piece. I’m in no rush.”
She glanced at him, then nodded.
Starry Night had a similar style to First Love-both calm, soothing compositions that had the power to cleanse the soul and ease the mind.
Though Thomas rarely found himself moved by music, he was unexpectedly captivated.
He had to admit that Sharon’s talent was truly remarkable.
She was on a completely different level from Kelly. It was no wonder Kelly’s envy had twisted her so much that she couldn’t rest until Sharon was out of the picture.
In fact, Sharon played with more brilliance than many of the violinists he had once invited to perform for him.
Contrary to Kelly’s accusations, Sharon was no amateur mimicking originality-anyone with a decent ear could tell. Even someone like him, who wasn’t formally trained in music, could feel the depth of her skill.
Listening to her was a genuine pleasure.
As the music gradually came to a close, Thomas found himself reluctant for it to end.
Aside from First Love, no other piece had ever truly caught his interest-until now.
Once the piece ended, Casey knocked and opened the door.
“Sharon, there’s a gentleman here who says he’s come to work with us.”
Sharon and Wendy looked over and saw that it was Thomas.
Wendy asked, “Thomas, do you know how to play any of the instruments we have here?”
Thomas shook his head. “I don’t remember.”
“Why not try a few?” Wendy suggested. “Who knows, you might be good at some. If there’s one you excel at, you could officially join our music team. We’re still looking for more members.”
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Thomas scanned the room, eyes sweeping over the various instruments before settling on the violin in Sharon’s hands.
“That violin is beautiful. May I try it?”
Before Sharon could respond, Wendy quickly interjected, “I’m afraid that’s not possible. That violin was left to Sharon by her mother. It’s incredibly precious-both in value and in meaning. It just came back from a maintenance session and is meant to be used in our next concert. I hope you understand, it can’t be loaned out.”
Thomas didn’t seem the least bit offended. Instead, he offered a polite smile.
“I see. My apologies. I was being presumptuous.”
Wendy’s impression of Thomas was growing increasingly positive. He had clear boundaries, spoke with courtesy, and didn’t let his good looks get to his head. His emotions were calm, his temperament steady. There was nothing off-putting about him at all.
A man who knew how to conduct himself like this—she had no issue letting him stay, at least until his memory returned.
“There are other violins here,” Wendy said. “Feel free to try any of them.”
But Thomas looked straight at Sharon.
“Sharon, would you be willing to play First Love for me… using that violin?”
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Wendy blinked in surprise. “I thought you didn’t know anything about music. How do you know about First Love?”
Thomas replied, “I heard Casey playing it earlier on the piano as we came upstairs. It sounded beautiful, and I was curious what it would feel like to hear it performed with that violin.”
Shaluna was a renowned violin, exceptionally rare and valuable. Many who heard of it were eager to experience its sound for themselves. When Casey first learned about the violin, she too, had once made a similar request. So no one found Thomas’s
interest unusual.
First Love was set to be the opening piece of their upcoming concert. Though technically demanding, Sharon had composed it herself and had practiced it for years-it was second nature to her by now.
She didn’t hesitate. “Alright.”
Taking up Shaluna, she was just about to play when her phone suddenly rang.
Her brows twitched slightly. It was Carter.
A few seconds passed before she answered.
“What is it?”
Carter replied, “Are you free? Could you come to the hospital for a moment?”
Sharon had a vague idea what this might be about. “Does it have to do with the kidnapping case?”
There was a short pause before he replied with a quiet “Yes.”
“I understand. I’ll be there,” Sharon said.
After ending the call, she turned to Thomas. “Something came up. I’ll have to step out. I’ll play the piece for you another time.”
Since Thomas would be staying to help with the music team, there would be plenty of opportunities in the future.
He nodded without pressing. “Of course. Please, go ahead.”
Just as Sharon was about to leave, Wendy stopped her. “Sharon, want me to come with you?”
She had picked up on a few things from Sharon’s side of the call. If Carter was calling her over at this hour, it probably wasn’t for anything pleasant.
Sharon shook her head. “No need. I’ll go alone.”
Wendy looked concerned. “But-”
“Don’t worry. For Mr. Malcolm’s sake, they wouldn’t dare do anything to me.”
Sharon had Uriah backing her now. Wendy’s expression softened a little. “Alright then. But if anything happens, call me right
away.”
Sharon gave a quiet nod and left for the hospital.
Pushing open the hospital room door, she found the room unexpectedly crowded. Inside were Carter, Nate, Theo, and even Julliard.
The sight of Nate’s bruised and swollen face made her blink in surprise.
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Had he been in a fight?
Though Nate was always loud and brash, brawling wasn’t really his style. It clashed with the carefully curated image of a wealthy heir. Usually, he left the dirty work to his gang of spoiled, rich friends.
Maybe this was karma finally catching up to him.
That thought flashed through her mind as she quickly looked away.
Sharon stepped forward. “You called me here in such a hurry. What’s going on?”
Nate let out a cold snort. “You were the one who orchestrated Kelly and Theo’s kidnapping, weren’t you?”
Sharon’s gaze swept the room. Everyone wore a different expression.
Theo looked at her pleadingly, his young face tangled in anxiety.
Julliard’s eyes held visible concern.
Kelly looked tom, like she wanted to speak but didn’t dare.
Carter, on the other hand, remained unreadable.
“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” Sharon said, her voice flat.
Nate scoffed, exaggerating his expression. “Wow, look at you. Your acting is so convincing. It’s a shame you didn’t win an Oscar. With acting skills like that, it’s a damn tragedy.”
Sharon couldn’t even be bothered to glance his way. Instead, her eyes landed on Julliard.
“Did you catch Dillon?”
Julliard started to shake his head, but before he could speak, Nate cut in with a shout.
“You even know the kidnapper’s name, and you still won’t admit it? Sharon, come clean. Why did you kidnap Kelly? What was your motive?!”
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Sharon frowned, clearly fed up. She pointed at Nate.
“I don’t want to be in the same room as a rabid dog. If he stays, I leave. If I stay, he goes. If you really think I’m behind the kidnapping, go ahead and call the police. Let them arrest me.”
Nate’s face turned red.
“You’re kicking me out? Feeling guilty, are we? Carter, Julliard, come on… there’s no need to keep asking. It was her. She planned the whole thing!”
Sharon rubbed her ear, annoyed by the volume.
“I’ll count to three. If he’s still here by then, I’m gone. I’m busy. Don’t call me in again for this.”
She paused a beat, then started calmly, “One…”
“Nate,” Carter said. “Go wait outside.”
Nate looked at him, stunned.
“But Carter, she’s just mad I hit a nerve! She’s lashing out! Don’t fall for it!”
Julliard tried to soften the moment. “Nate, you weren’t at the scene during the kidnapping. It’s not a problem if you’re not involved in this part.”
Nate, already teetering on outrage, now looked completely thrown.
“Sharon is manipulative. Silver-tongued and two-faced. Neither of you can hold your ground against her. And now Kelly’s still recovering from her injuries, and you expect me to just stand by while Sharon walks all over her?”
Julliard’s voice was calm, but carried weight. “With Carter here, no one’s going to walk over Kelly. Nate, go. We’ll handle it.”
Nate looked ready to argue again, but Carter spoke up, “If you don’t want to leave, then stay.”
For a moment, Nate looked triumphant… until Carter continued, “We’ll leave instead.”
Nate’s face froze.
Then, finally, Kelly broke her silence. “Nate, just go. Julliard is right. Carter and Theo will protect me.”
She glanced cautiously at Sharon. “And… besides, Sharon isn’t that kind of person.”
Sharon gave a small, bitter laugh in her mind. If someone didn’t know better, they’d think Carter and Theo were her husband and son.
Once, a line like that from Kelly might have stung But now, Sharon felt nothing. Not even a ripple.
Eventually, Nate gave in and left. The room instantly felt lighter.
Sharon turned to Carter. “In the future, if he’s around, don’t call me. I don’t trust myself not to slap him.”
Beside her, Kelly furrowed her brow “Sharon, Nate has always been blunt. He says what’s on his mind, often without thinking. Don’t take him too seriously.”
Sharon, of course, caught the undertone she replied coolly, “I don’t see it as bluntness. I see it as a mouth incapable of producing anything but garbage.”
Kelly blinked, caught off guard. She had known sharon had changed, that she no longer swallowed insults like she used to.
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But this open defiance, even in front of Carter, still surprised her. Clearly, having Uriah in her corner gave her the boldness she never had before.
Beneath the blanket, Kelly’s hand tightened ever so slightly as she fumed inwardly, ‘Let her act arrogant while she still can. It
won’t last.’
Once Thomas made his move, everything Sharon had would vanish.
Carter ignored the barbed exchange and got straight to the point. “I heard from Kelly that you know the kidnapper.”
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Sharon gave a simple response, “I don’t know him.”
Carter waited a few seconds, expecting her to say more. When she didn’t, a faint crease formed between his brows. “Then why would Kelly say you do?”
Sharon glanced at Kelly, her tone cool and detached. “Ask her. What’s the point of asking me? I have no idea what goes on in her
head.”
Her attitude was sharp, so sharp that even Carter found himself at a loss for how to respond.
Seeing the tension rise, Kelly quickly put on a soft, injured voice.
“Sharon, I know you hate me. You probably wish I’d drop dead right here. But no matter how much you hate me, Theo is
innocent. He’s your own son…”
Kelly didn’t finish. Sharon cut her off, “If you know I hate you, then shut up. Otherwise, I can’t promise what I’ll do to you.”
Kelly opened her mouth to speak, then caught the flicker in Sharon’s eyes. Her breath hitched.
Sharon… didn’t seem to be joking.
Kelly’s gaze shifted ever so slightly.
What if she pushed Sharon just enough to get slapped in front of Carter? Wouldn’t that prove Sharon’s violent nature, and possibly her guilt?
But before she could act, Sharon’s voice rang out, “Kelly, are you thinking about how to provoke me?
Hoping I’ll lose it in front of Carter, lay a hand on you, and prove to him how much I hate you? That I want you dead?”
Kelly’s eyes flickered, but she kept up the act. “Sharon, I’ve never wronged you. Why must you always assume the worst of me?”
Sharon didn’t hold back. “Kelly, if you keep pretending and fanning the flames, there’s no point in us talking any further. It’s a
waste of time.”
She turned to Carter. “Kidnapping is a crime. If you’re serious about this, you should be calling the police, not me.”
Carter’s expression was unreadable. “Kelly says you’re Theo’s mother. She doesn’t want to blow this up. And honestly, I agree. Handling this privately might be better.”
“Privately?” Sharon caught the implication in his words “So you’ve already decided it was me?”
Carter looked vaguely resigned. “If I were sure it was you, I wouldn’t have asked you here.”
Sharon studied his face. “Then why did you?”
“Theo’s safety is involved being thorough isn’t unreasonable. If it wasn’t you, all the better. But if it was, no matter what grudge exists between you and Kelly, I hope you wouldn’t gamble with your son’s life.”
Sharon frowned.
“Fine. If you’re entertaining the possibility that I did it, then tell me, how exactly do you want to handle it ‘privately’?”
Carter fell silent for a moment.
“Whether it was you or not, Kelly did get injured saving Theo. Her concert is coming up, and her condition will definitely affect her performance So… that violin-Shaluna-could she borrow it for her concert?”
Sharon’s expression didn’t change, but understanding flickered in her eyes.
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Of course. Kelly had been eyeing that violin for ages.
Especially after learning it was hers, Kelly must have been dying to get her hands on it. Kelly just hadn’t had the right opportunity…until now.
Sharon responded flatly, “Evidence or not, I’m not lending that violin to either of you.”
Carter tried again, “If you’re worried it might affect your own concert, I can arrange for Kelly’s concert to happen after yours. That way, it won’t interfere with anything you’re planning.”
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