Chapter 10 THE PRICE OF KEEPING HER ALIVE

​The black SUV sped through the highway. Inside, Dizer slowly regained consciousness. 

Her head throbbed violently, her wrists were tied behind her back, and a black blindfold covered her eyes. 

The smell of leather filled the air as she tried moving, but sharp pain immediately shot through her body.

​One of the men beside her noticed her shifting. "Boss, she's awake."

​The vehicle slowed, and the blindfold was removed. Bright light flooded Dizer's vision, forcing her to blink repeatedly before she could finally focus. The elegant woman in the white suit sat directly opposite her, crossing one leg over the other.

​"So..." A graceful smile appeared on her lips. "We finally meet properly."

​Dizer stared at her. "I don't know you."

​The woman chuckled. "That's true. But I've known about you for years."

​Dizer's heartbeat quickened. "Who are you?"

​"My name is Vivian Cross."

​The name meant nothing to Dizer, but Vivian studied her calmly. "You inherited your mother's courage."

​"My mother?"

​Vivian ignored the question. "You also inherited your grandfather's stubbornness."

​Dizer frowned, demanding, "What do you want?"

​Vivian leaned forward. "You."

​Silence filled the vehicle before Vivian spoke again. "I've watched you for a long time."

​Dizer's eyes narrowed. "You followed me."

​"Yes."

​"You photographed me."

​"Yes."

​"You caused the accident."

​Vivian smiled. "I needed to bring you here."

​Dizer clenched her fists. "I have nothing you want."

​Vivian laughed softly. "Oh... you have everything I want."

​Meanwhile, Liam drove toward the abandoned industrial district where the caller had instructed him to go. There were no police, no bodyguards, and no family—just him. His phone rang again with the unknown number.

​"I told you to come alone."

​"I am."

​"I hope you aren't lying."

​"I'm not."

​After a pause, the voice replied, "Good," and the call ended.

​Noah, who had been secretly tracking Liam's phone from his office, slammed his fist against his desk. "He's really going alone." He immediately grabbed his car keys. "No way."

​Inside the warehouse, Dizer was led into a spacious office that looked nothing like an abandoned building. It was filled with luxury furniture, expensive paintings, and security cameras everywhere.

​Vivian poured herself a cup of tea and gestured. "Sit."

​"I'd rather stand," Dizer replied.

​Vivian shrugged. "As you wish." She sipped her tea. "You must have many questions."

​"I only have one."

​Vivian smiled. "Ask."

​"Why me?"

​The older woman placed her cup down carefully. "Because you're the only person standing between me and something I've wanted for over twenty years."

​Dizer frowned. "I don't understand."

​"I know." Vivian stood up and walked toward a large window overlooking the harbor. Without turning around, she asked, "Tell me... what do you know about your family's shipping business?"

​Dizer answered cautiously, "I helped build it."

​Vivian laughed quietly, slowly looking back. "No. You helped expand it. You didn't build it."

​Dizer's expression hardened. "What are you talking about?"

​Vivian walked closer, her smile widening. "The empire you believe belongs to Kendall Shank... was never his to begin with."

​Liam arrived at the warehouse, where two armed guards stood outside. One stepped forward. "Doctor Oscar?"

​"Where's my wife?"

​"Follow me."

​Liam glanced around carefully. It was too quiet and too organized; this wasn't an ordinary kidnapping. He was escorted inside, and the heavy warehouse doors slammed shut behind him with a sharp click. Locked.

​"Welcome, Doctor," a voice echoed through the building.

​Vivian slowly descended the staircase—elegant, composed, and dangerously calm. Liam immediately recognized her. "You."

​Vivian smiled. "We've met before."

​His eyes narrowed. "I don't remember."

​"You were younger. Still in medical school."

​Liam searched his memory but found nothing. Vivian looked amused. "I suppose I wasn't important enough to remember."

​"I didn't come here for conversation."

​"Of course not."

​Liam took a step forward. "Where's Dizer?"

​Vivian nodded toward another room. "Safe."

​"I want to see her."

​"You will." She folded her arms, looking directly into his eyes. "But first... I want an answer. If Dizer dies today... would you regret how you treated her?"

​The question caught him completely off guard. He opened his mouth, but nothing came out.

​Vivian noticed his hesitation. "So..." She smiled knowingly. "You do regret it."

​"I asked where she is."

​"You didn't answer my question."

​Liam's jaw tightened. Finally, he spoke. "I don't know."

​Vivian slowly nodded. "Honest. I appreciate honesty." She walked toward him, her voice softening. "You know... she defended you."

​Liam frowned. "What?"

​"Even after everything." Silence fell between them before Vivian continued with a faint smile. "When my men brought her here... the first thing she asked wasn't whether she'd survive."

​Liam felt his chest tighten as Vivian looked straight at him. "She asked whether you were hurt in the accident."

​Liam froze, his heartbeat slowing before quickening again. She... asked about him?

​"Interesting woman," Vivian mused. "Wouldn't you agree?"

​Before Liam could respond, a loud crash echoed from deeper inside the warehouse. Someone was running, and several guards shouted, "Stop her!"

​Liam turned instinctively as Dizer burst through a side door. She was barefoot, her wrists were still tied, and blood stained her sleeve. She saw him immediately. "Liam!"

​Three guards chased after her. Without hesitation, Liam ran toward her, shouting her name. "Dizer!"

​One guard reached her first and grabbed her arm. She struggled desperately, crying, "Let me go!" The guard raised his hand to strike her, but before the blow could land, Liam punched him squarely across the face, sending the man crashing into a stack of crates.

​Another guard lunged, but Liam blocked the attack and shoved him backward. "Dizer!" he called out, and she stumbled into him. He immediately shielded her behind his body.

​"You came..." her voice trembled.

​He kept his focus forward, shielding her. "I said I would."

​The remaining guards surrounded them. Vivian watched the scene silently from the staircase. Then, to everyone's surprise, she began to clap—a slow, steady, almost pleased applause. "Excellent."

​The guards immediately stopped moving. Liam frowned, demanding, "What are you doing?"

​Vivian smiled. "I've seen enough." She looked at Dizer, then at Liam, her expression becoming impossible to read. "And now... the real game can begin."

​She snapped her fingers. Every guard lowered his weapon, and every door unlocked.

​Liam stared at her in disbelief. "You kidnapped her... just to test me?"

​Vivian's smile widened. "No. I kidnapped her... to see whether you were finally worthy of knowing the truth."

​The warehouse fell into complete silence. Then, Vivian uttered the words that left both of them stunned.

​"Kendall Shank isn't Dizer's greatest enemy. He never was."