Click.
The kidnapper hung up before Theodore could respond.
In a dark room, Darian sneered as he scrolled through the call log on the phone.
When he heard footsteps, he turned around and saw Jasper walking in.
âWhy are you here? Arenât you supposed to keep an eye on Ariana?â he asked coldly.
âDonât worry.
She canât escape,â Jasper sneered as he stared at Darian.
Darian snorted and handed him a plane ticket.
âAfter you release Ariana tomorrow, go to the pier and take a boat to Milpon Island Airport on the third.
Iâll be waiting for you.
â
Jasper took the plane ticket and studied it.
âOn the third? Father, are you leaving first?â he asked with a smile.
A hint of panic flashed in Darianâs eyes at the news, but he masked it swiftly.
âTheodore is a heartless man.
Since we have his wife, he wonât show us mercy.
We should split up to be safe.
Iâll head to Milpon Island with the cash and wait for you there.
â
Jasper looked at Darian, and then began to laugh.
âDad,â he said, his voice steady, âAre you trying to abandon me?â
Darianâs face shifted, feigning anger.
âWhat nonsense are you spouting? Youâre my son.
Why on earth would I abandon you? If I had such intentions, why would I fight to get you out?â
Jasper had no comeback to that.
âGo if you must,â he finally said, âBut Ariana comes with me.
â
Darianâs eyes bulged.
âAre you out of your mind?â he said.
âAriana is a ticking time bomb.
Sheâll bring nothing but trouble.
â
Recognizing the determination in Jasperâs eyes, Darian voiced his irritation.
âThereâs no way weâre dragging her along.
If you canât bear to hand her back to Theodore, then kill her.
â
With those words hanging in the air, he drove Jasper out.
Outside, the smile faded from Jasperâs face.
He gave Darianâs back a hard look before turning his back and heading downstairs.
At the staircase, he paused, Looking off into the distance.
He made his way to the end of the hallway, where he yanked a figure out from a corner.
It was Brielle.
Taken aback, Brielle gazed at Jasper, her eyes wide with fear, her voice locked in her throat.
Jasper Looked at her, a grin playing on his lips.
He asked in a soft tone, âWhen did you get here? How much have you heard?â
âI didnât overhear anything.
I just came to fetch something,â Brielle managed, her voice quivering.
Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updatesâ¦
Something about Jasper was different.
He seemed Like a new person after his release from prison, and it scared her.
Brielle shrank back, avoiding his gaze.
This villa used to be their secret meeting place before they became a couple.
She had come here to prepare for the movie premiere the next day.
Unable to find the right outfit and jewelry, she thought of the pieces Jasper had gifted her in the past and decided to search for them.
What she hadnât anticipated was overhearing the tense conversation between Darian and Jasper.
Jasperâs gaze bore into Brielle.
He clearly wasnât buying her claims.
After scanning her from head to toe, a slow smile spread across his face.
âWell, since youâre here, you might as well stay.
â
In the confines of the basement, Ariana lay supine, her eyes open and devoid of strength.