LOGIN~CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTY EIGHT~ ADRIAN’S POV I lean back against the smooth edge of the tub, the water now cooling around me, my mind still racing through possibilities when I hear a voice outside the bathroom door. “Your Majesty, your meal has been placed on the table in your room.” For a moment, I don’t respond. My gaze remains fixed on the ceiling as another thought begins to form. Then I speak. “Bring my phone to me.” “Yes, Your Majesty.” A minute later the door opens quietly. I hear the careful footsteps of the servant approaching. When I glance up, he is standing near the entrance, head lowered respectfully as he extends the phone toward me. I take it from his hand. “Thank you.” He bows slightly and leaves without another word, shutting the door behind him. The room falls silent again except for the soft drip of water from the showerhead. I stare at the phone in my hand for a moment. Then I scroll through my contacts until I find the name I’m
~CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTY SEVEN~ BLAKE’S POV I remain standing near the bar, arms folded loosely across my chest, maintaining the image of calm patience while irritation coils tighter inside me with every passing minute. The music from the club swells and fades around us, lights sweeping across the room as guests laugh and drink, completely unaware of what is unfolding beneath their feet. Twenty minutes pass. Twenty long-ass minutes of pretending. Finally, the three officers return from their inspection. Their expressions are relaxed now, satisfied that they have seen enough. “Sorry for the disturbance, Your Highness,” one of them says respectfully. “We’ll take our leave now. If Mr. Carter drops by, give us a call.” “Sure,” I reply smoothly. I remain exactly where I am, watching them walk toward the exit. I do not move. I do not speak. I simply wait. The moment they step outside, I keep my gaze fixed forward, counting silently. Ten seconds, twenty, th
~CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTY SIX~ BLAKE’S POV I gulp down more liquor, the burn sharpening my focus as I leave my office with Steve following closely. The hallway to the secret area is dimly lit, shadows stretching along the walls. I step in, and the lights are already on, revealing Dave Carter—frozen, his face betraying pure terror. “Uhm… Mr. Blake, I thought we could talk at the open bar. I’m really not comfortable here,” he stammers. I pull a chair toward me and sit, facing him. My gaze is steady, controlled. “This is a confidential discussion,” I say, letting a faint smile play across my lips. “By the way, you got here earlier than I expected.” “Yeah… my office isn’t too far from here,” he replies nervously, attempting to regain some composure. I glance at Steve and nod slightly. “Now let’s get down to the main deal. First,” I say, “take his phone.” Steve moves quickly, searching him aggressively. Dave struggles, trying to fight him off, but Steve wrests
~CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTY FIVE~ BLAKE’S POV Before leaving the house, we watch the area for a few minutes, making sure no one is paying attention to our movements. We exit the same way we came in—quietly, leaving no trace behind. Dave Carter is Melissa’s lawyer. We can’t just storm into his office and drag him out. That would raise suspicion, something we don’t need right now. Once we’re inside the car, I open the file I found earlier and pull out my phone. I scan through the documents until I find his number. I dial it. The line rings twice before he answers. “Hello?” he says. “Good day, Dave,” I reply calmly. “This is Blake… Melissa’s friend.” There’s a brief pause on the line. “Oh,” he says. “Yes, I’ve heard quite a lot about you from her. What can I do for you?” His tone is polite, professional. “We need to meet as soon as possible,” I say. “It’s about Melissa. She’s currently missing, and I might need your help to find her.” Silence. Then suddenly
~CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTY FOUR~ ADRIAN’S POV “How did you even meet Blake?” I ask, my eyes narrowing slightly, watching him carefully. He exhales, a sharp, tired sound, like he’s replaying the memory. “The morning after my sister hadn’t returned, I was lingering in the lobby, hoping she would appear,” he begins. “And he… he saw me first.” I raise an eyebrow. “He said things—personal things about me. Things that made it clear he was very close to Mel.” His voice tightens. “He was furious at the situation. I suggested checking her room for her phone… thought maybe we could find a clue from there.” I lean back slightly, analyzing him. “That’s how we went to her room. The door looked untouched—no signs of forced entry. We used the access card to get in.” I pause, letting that sink in. “Who was the first person to enter the room?” I ask, my tone deliberate. “It was…Blake,” he admits finally. “I stayed near the door for a moment, just watching him, before I walk
~CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTY THREE~ ADRIAN’S POV The doors to the boardroom open and I walk in first. The room is large, polished, built for high-level meetings. A long dark table sits in the center, surrounded by leather chairs. My eyes immediately settle on the chair at the head of the table. I walk straight to it and sit down. I turn slightly in the chair to face the young woman standing near the door. Amanda is trying to maintain her composure, but her hands are clasped too tightly and her shoulders are trembling. “It’s alright,” I say calmly. “Relax.” She takes a small breath but the nervousness remains in her eyes. “I just need you to tell me everything that happened the day your boss disappeared,” I continue. “Start from the beginning.” She nods quickly. “The person who last saw her that night was the receptionist. According to her, Ms. Melissa came down between eight and nine p.m. She handed her access card to the receptionist and said she was stepping out
CHAPTER SIXTY FIVE The name keeps echoing in my head as I stand there, frozen. Isn’t that my ex-boyfriend? Jake Hilton. My stomach twists violently. Steve’s documents flash through my memory—the neat rows, the official titles, the carefully compiled list of executives and staff. I had read
CHAPTER SIXTY FOUR I arrive at the hotel and stop in front of it for a moment. The building towers over me, glass, steel, quiet power. Deluxe Hotel. It looks exactly the way I imagined it would: expensive, polished, untouchable. People move in and out effortlessly, rolling suitcases, dresse
CHAPTER SIXTY SIX After getting approved for the job a few nights ago, today finally arrives. My first day. The morning passes in a blur of discipline and quiet preparation. I start at the gym, pushing my body just enough to feel alive, reminding myself that I am strong, that I still own myse
CHAPTER SIXTY THREE "Thank you,” I whisper. “For remembering.” Awkwardness rushes in just as quickly. I step back, clearing my throat, suddenly hyperaware of myself. Blake runs a hand through his hair, nervous now, his smile uncertain. And then— My mom walks in. She stops short, eyes flic







