All Chapters of CRAVING THE BAD BOY: Chapter 231 - Chapter 240

Silence filled the bunker. No one spoke after the recording ended. Every person in the room slowly looked at everyone else. The words from Ariana's father continued to echo in their minds. The traitor is one of us. Ariana felt her heart beating faster. Just minutes ago, this room had felt like the safest place in the world. Now it felt like a trap. She tightened her grip on Nick's hand. He looked at her and gave her hand a gentle squeeze. "It'll be okay," he said quietly.She wanted to believe him. She really did. But after everything that had happened, trust no longer came easily. Victor was the first to break the silence. "We need to stay calm."Nick looked at him. "Easy for you to say.""I know what you're thinking.""Do you?"Nick's voice remained steady, but there was anger behind it. "You've kept secrets from us since the beginning."Victor lowered his eyes. "You're right.""So why should we trust you now?"Before Victor could answer, Daniel spoke. "Because if Victor wanted you

The security footage froze everyone in place. No one looked away from the screen. The masked man stood inside Ariana's apartment as though he belonged there. He moved calmly, showing no sign that he was in a hurry. His hand stopped only a few inches from the wooden music box. Ariana's heart pounded. "My apartment," she whispered.Nick immediately stepped beside her. "We'll get it back."She looked at him. "You don't know that.""I do."His voice was quiet, but full of confidence. "I've promised to protect you, and I don't break my promises."A small smile appeared on Ariana's face despite the fear filling her heart. Victor quickly walked to another computer. "There has to be a way to stop him."Claire hurried over to help. She searched through the old system, opening one screen after another. "I found the building cameras.""Can you lock the apartment?"Claire shook her head. "The system is too old. It only records. It can't control the doors."Daniel frowned. "Can we call the police?

The bunker exploded into chaos. The sound of heavy boots echoed through the dark tunnel as members of The Circle rushed inside. Flashlights cut through the darkness, moving from wall to wall as they searched every room. Victor reacted first. "They're in. Move!"Everyone hurried away from the entrance. Nick reached for Ariana's hand and pulled her beside him. "Stay close to me."She nodded without arguing. Behind them, another loud crash echoed through the bunker. "They've reached the main hallway," Daniel said.Claire looked over her shoulder. "There are too many."Victor led them through a narrow passage that twisted beneath the old bunker. "We still have one way out."Nick frowned. "I thought there was only one exit.""There is another."Victor pushed open an old steel gate. "It was never finished, but it leads outside."The group rushed forward. The passage was narrow, forcing them to walk in a single line. Ariana could hear shouting behind them. "They're following us."Daniel look

Ariana's eyes remained fixed on the small remote in her mother's hand. The red button suddenly looked more dangerous than every weapon surrounding them. She swallowed hard. "What does that remote do?"Her mother looked at her calmly. "I hoped I would never have to use it."Victor took a careful step forward. "Don't."She smiled faintly. "You already know what it controls."Nick looked from one face to another. "What is it?"Daniel answered quietly. "Years ago, The Circle planted explosives inside several of their safe houses."Nick frowned. "What does that have to do with us?"Victor closed his eyes for a brief moment. "This warehouse is one of them."Ariana felt her blood run cold. She looked around at the old building. The cracked walls. The rusted beams. The broken windows. Everything suddenly looked ready to collapse. Her mother spoke again. "There are two explosive charges."She pointed toward the left side of the warehouse. "One is beneath your father."Then she pointed toward t

The warehouse became so quiet that Ariana could hear her own heartbeat. Everyone stared at the silver-haired woman standing at the entrance. She looked calm. Confident. As though she had walked into a business meeting instead of the middle of a fight. Nick frowned. "What did you just call me?"The woman smiled gently. "My grandson."Nick slowly shook his head. "You've got the wrong person.""I never make that mistake."She took another step forward. The armed men who had arrived with her remained perfectly still. None of them pointed their weapons at Ariana or Nick. Instead, they watched the members of The Circle.Victor narrowed his eyes. "Isabella."The woman looked at him. "It has been a long time.""So you're still alive."She gave a small smile. "I've heard people say that many times."Ariana suddenly remembered the photograph they had found in the folder. She looked at Victor. "This is Isabella Laurent?"Victor nodded. "Yes."Ariana expected fear. Instead, Victor looked angry. D