บททั้งหมดของ The Billionaire’s Surrogate Twins : บทที่ 21 - บทที่ 30

Damien sat in his car outside Mia’s apartment building for ten minutes after leaving.He read the message over and over, each time feeling the walls close in tighter.“We know about the warehouse. We know about Jake. And we know you’re planning something stupid. Bring the girl back to the mansion by midnight tomorrow or Kevin dies. For real this time.”Viktor knew. He knew about Jake. He knew about the plan. Which meant the facility was compromised. Which meant Kevin was in more danger than ever.Damien’s hands were shaking as he dialed Jake.“Tell me you’re seeing this,” Damien said when Jake answered.“Yeah,” Jake’s voice was tight. “I got the same message. Five minutes ago. How is this possible?”“We have a leak,” Damien said. “Someone on our side is feeding information to Viktor.”“Or Viktor has surveillance on me,” Jake said. “Or both. Doesn’t matter. We’re blown.”Damien gripped the steering wheel. “What do we do?”“We move now,” Jake said. “Tonight. We can’t wait for Tuesday. T

“Hello, Damien,” Viktor’s voice filled the safe house. “I believe we need to have a conversation about what happens next.”Damien’s jaw clenched. He gestured for Jake and Dr. Vasquez to take Kevin into the back room. They left, closing the door behind them.“I’m listening,” Damien said.“You’ve been very clever,” Viktor continued. “The anonymous tip. The extraction team. Very resourceful. But ultimately, you’ve forced my hand. And now we need to establish some ground rules.”“What do you want?” Damien asked.“What I’ve always wanted,” Viktor said. “Obedience. Control. Understanding that you are not the one in charge here. I am.”Damien waited.“Here’s what’s going to happen,” Viktor said. “You’re going to stop this foolish rescue operation. You’re going to return to your life. Your marriage. Your company. Everything continues exactly as it was.”“And if I don’t?” Damien asked.“Then I make a phone call,” Viktor said. “My people are currently positioned outside Mia Chen’s apartment bui

Viktor’s office overlooked the entire city. Floor-to-ceiling windows. Expensive furniture. The kind of space that announced power without saying a word. Damien sat across from Viktor at a mahogany desk that probably cost more than most people’s houses. “You look tired,” Viktor said, pouring vodka into crystal glasses. “I haven’t been sleeping well,” Damien said. “Because of the girl?” Viktor asked, sliding a glass across the desk. Damien didn’t answer. He just took the drink. “She’s a distraction,” Viktor continued. “But a useful one. She keeps you compliant. She keeps you thinking about consequences. Good. That’s exactly what I need.” Viktor stood and walked to the window, looking out at the city below. “I have a proposition for you,” Viktor said. “A business opportunity.” “I’m listening,” Damien said. “Your company, Cross Technologies,” Viktor said. “It has reach. Infrastructure. Connections across the globe. I want to use it.” “For what?” Damien asked, though h

Three days.That’s how long Mia had been working at Cross Technologies. Three days of pretending Damien was just her boss. Three days of keeping her distance while her body screamed to get closer. Three days of watching Sophie watch her with those calculating eyes that missed nothing.Mia had been assigned a small office on the third floor, tucked between Human Resources and the medical services department where Dr. Reid worked. The space was barely big enough for a desk and a filing cabinet, but it was hers. Or at least, it was supposed to be.In reality, it was a cage with better lighting.Every morning, she arrived at eight o’clock sharp. She sat at her desk. She reviewed employee health records. She coordinated wellness programs. She scheduled medical appointments. She did everything a Medical and Wellness Coordinator was supposed to do.And she watched.She watched Dr. Reid come and go from his office down the hall. She watched him take phone calls that made his face go pale. She

Mia’s hands wouldn’t stop shaking.She stood in her apartment, staring at her phone like it might explode. The screen showed Damien’s contact information. His name. His number. The photo she’d saved of him from the company website because she didn’t have any real pictures.She pressed call.It rang once. Twice. Three times.Voicemail.She hung up and tried again.Straight to voicemail this time.“Damn it,” she whispered. Her voice sounded thin and brittle in the empty apartment. “Damn it, damn it, damn it.”She tried texting instead. Her fingers fumbled over the keys.“Viktor wants to see me. Tonight. 7pm. I’m scared.”The message sat there with one gray checkmark. Not delivered. Not read. Just floating in digital limbo like everything else in her life right now.Mia looked at the clock on her microwave. 6:47 PM.Thirteen minutes.She sat down on her couch and immediately stood back up. Sitting felt wrong. Standing felt wrong. Everything felt wrong. Her apartment suddenly seemed small