Lahat ng Kabanata ng No Longer Theirs: The One They Can't Replace: Kabanata 221 - Kabanata 230

"Josh, are you really bidding on it for me? Is it really for me?"Anticipation sparkled in Jessica's eyes as she asked him again and again, seeking reassurance.All these years by Joshua's side, she had seen every kind of luxury. Every year, he prepared exquisite and exorbitant birthday gifts for her. Any one of them, taken out on its own, would make countless women green with envy.But this hairpin was different.First, it was an antique—priceless. Even if one were to add up every gift Joshua had given her over the past five years, none would come close to its value. Second, this hairpin had once been a token of love exchanged between a king and queen on their wedding day. For Joshua to bid on it for her at such a formal, high-profile event tonight meant only one thing to outsiders—they would think Joshua was using the hairpin to confess his love, declaring to the world that she was the woman he cherished most, the woman he loved above all else."When have I ever gone back on m

The entire hall erupted. "80 million dollars?"That number had blown past the item's intrinsic value by a ridiculous margin. Even if it was an antique from the 17th century, this was still absurd.Just who was this off-site bigshot, daring to compete with the CEO of Stroud Group?"Ha! This is getting interesting." Blake flashed a teasing smile as he glanced at Joshua's sharp, impassive profile. "Josh, if I were you, I'd buy that damn thing just to crush it afterward. No way I'd let that bastard win."Jessica looked at Joshua with concern and spoke softly. "Josh, forget it. 60 million dollars was already expensive. 80 million dollars is far beyond what it's worth. I don't want you throwing money away because of me."Blake raised a brow. "Look at that. Jessica is helping Josh save money! What a thoughtful, virtuous woman."Jessica pursed her lips, a shy blush blooming across her delicate face."I told you I'd get it for you. I'm getting it," Joshua said. A sharp, assured glint fla

"Argh!"The kick landed squarely in Winter's lower abdomen.Agony tore through her body. Her organs felt as if they were being twisted apart as she doubled over, spasms racking her frame. A mouthful of blood spilled from her lips.In that moment, despair swallowed her whole.Joshua had been part of every hardship in her earlier years. Loving him had cost her more than she could count.But she had never thought Joshua would be the one to seal her fate.Panicking, the kidnapper quickly called Tom. "Boss! Is that loud-bouthed bitch really Joshua's wife? Why won't he answer when I call him from her phone?""Joshua is at an auction. He probably didn't hear it. Try again," Tom replied.The basement was so quiet it felt airless. Winter caught fragments of Tom's voice and thought it sounded familiar.She shut her eyes, forcing herself to focus."I did try! I tried countless times! It rang twice, then nothing—I couldn't get through at all!" The kidnapper stomped in frustration. "Boss,

"Fuck! Bitch! How dare you trick me?" The kidnapper flew into a rage, so furious he forgot the call was still connected. He lunged forward and slammed another kick into Winter's chest. "How dare you? I'll fuck you to pieces tonight! After that, I'll chop you up and feed you to the dogs!"Alistair heard every vile word.So did Ezekiel, who was seated beside him. He heard everything clearly, especially Winter's desperate cry, "Ezekiel! Save me!"The raw agony in her voice crashed into Ezekiel's chest like a tidal wave. His body jolted violently."Winter! Winter!" Alistair shouted frantically, but the screen went black. The call had been disconnected.The next second, he burst into tears, shaking his father's rigid arm. "Dad! What happened to Winter? H-Has someone kidnapped her?"Overwhelmed by emotion, Alistair clutched his chest, his face turning deathly pale."George! The medicine!" Ezekiel's pupils contracted as he pulled the boy into his arms.George immediately produced the

It was a cold late-autumn night; the air was thick with a silence that felt heavy and strained. The Maybach tore through the darkness and screeched to a halt outside Northside Everpower Press, dust billowing as it drifted into place.Ezekiel stepped out. The wind snapped his black coat like a battle flag. His short hair whipped in the cold, his face stark and expressionless beneath the harsh lights.George watched his profile—razor-sharp and eerily calm. A chill ran down his spine.Ezekiel had always been like that. The angrier he was, the quieter he became. The calmer he appeared, the more dangerous he was.His men arrived almost instantly, faster than the police ever could. They sealed off the abandoned building from every direction, locking it down tight.They tore the place apart, but Winter was nowhere to be found. "Mr. Fulton, we searched everywhere, but there's no sign of her!""Nothing outside either!""I'm sorry, Mr. Fulton. There's no sign of her!"Each report wei