Semua Bab UNCHARTED PATH : Bab 21 - Bab 30

He rechecked the map. Still moving, but he was no longer on the old textile road. Immediately, Dan’s voice crackled in his earpiece. “Update boss, the guy took a detour — he is along the industrial lane now, heading toward the Seabridge outskirts. I think he might be heading towards the beach.” “Alright, keep tracking him. I’m staying on this,” Alex responded. As he zipped forward again, a thought struck him. What if he knew he was being followed? His gut twisted. But he waved it off and swerved through a narrow bypass. Getting closer to the beach, the GPS pinged again, the guy had stopped yet again. But just for a few seconds. Then it started moving again and now, he was getting closer to the beach. He slowed just a bit, as if suddenly cautious. Somehow to Alex, he felt something was off with the guy stopping briefly. It felt deliberate to him like bait. “Dan,” Alex asked quickly. “Could this be a wild goose chase?” “Possibly. Want me to pull out” Alex consid

Alex remained frozen for a moment, still dazed by the disappointment that the guy he had been struggling to meet was not his mystery guy. The resemblance was just the curly brown hair, those eyes weren't close to his piercing blue eyes. The lean, athletic frame that had haunted his thoughts was there but the sharp jawline he beheld last night as he gazed at him was not there. Then those pinkish lips he kissed that tasted like heaven were not there as well. There were lots of differences. “Damn it,” Alex cursed angrily as frustration washed over him. But just as the guy rejoined his group, he suddenly paused, turned around, and gently tapped Alex on the shoulder. “Hey, are you okay, bro?” Alex blinked. The voice was calm, friendly… but it wasn’t his mystery guy’s...not even close because he could still hear the voice in his head calling him cutie. The guy stood waiting to hear from Alex. “Bro, are you alright?” He asked again. “No, I’m not,” Alex admitted, the words

While Alex and Lucas were lost in a whirlwind of passion, oblivious to the world beyond their entanglement, another plan was quietly brewing elsewhere. The one that would soon threaten everything they share. Mr. Westman had arranged a private dinner with Mr. Ashton, Derby’s father. It wasn’t just a social visit. It was calculated. The moment Emily stepped into the house that evening, her instincts flared. Something was off. Their father was sipping whiskey and that was never a good sign. He only drank when he was either boiling with anger or gearing up to drop a bomb on the family. “Hi, Dad,” she greeted cautiously. “You’re welcome, Emily,” he replied, with a smirk placing his glass down. “I hope you had a good day” “Yes, Dad, my day went well”, Emily responded, her suspicion increasing “We’re expecting guests tonight. An important family. Your brother isn’t answering my calls, so tell him to be home on time. It’s a family dinner.” “Alright ,Dad, I will call him”

The note slipped from Derby’s trembling hand and fluttered to the floor as a dagger dropped in defeat. Emily darted forward, scooped it up, and without hesitation, read it aloud in a clear, ringing voice: “Enjoy the spotlight, but there won’t be a wedding. —Lucas.” A gasp rippled through the registry hall like a shockwave. Murmurs exploded from every corner of the hall as guests exchanged stunned glances. Phones came up, whispers turned into questions. The once-celebratory atmosphere turned tense in seconds. Derby stood frozen for a second, then let out a furious, guttural scream. “Aahhh! You’re going to regret this, Lucas!” Her perfectly done makeup barely concealed the rage twisting her face as she collapsed onto the nearest chair, fists clenched, humiliation swallowing her whole. Mr. Ashton's face turned red with confusion as he snatched the crumpled paper from Emily’s hand and reread the note, as if his ears were deceiving him. “What nonsense is this?!” He barked. “Whe

When Lucas arrived at Nathan’s apartment, Nathan welcomed him with open arms. But he had a concerned look on his face. “Man, what the heck are you blabbing about marriage? You sounded tense on the phone,” Nathan asked, ushering him inside. “What was he even thinking, arranging a marriage for you, at your age and in this millennium?” Lucas dropped his bag near the door and sighed. “Long story. Let’s just say I’ve finally had it with my dad’s manipulative stunts.” Nathan handed him a glass of water and motioned for him to sit. “You okay, though?” “I will be. I’m just tired of being his puppet. I need some space to breathe and think clearly for once.” Nathan nodded with understanding. “You’re always welcome here. Crash as long as you need.” “Thanks Nat,” Lucas replied sincerely. Luckily, he had a small bag with a few changes of clothes, but he knew he would need more soon. “I’ll swing by the house next week when he’s at the office. I’m not ready for any face-off