Chapter 10

Chapter 10

Natalie stumbled as she turned to leave, her footing uncertain. She knew she couldn’t hold on much longer. Her body was burning up.

Staggering toward a nearby alley, she fished her cell phone out of her purse and dialed a speed–dial number.

In just a few seconds, the call connected.

“King… help me!” she gasped into the phone, pleading for rescue.

Behind her, a sleek black Maybach silently pulled up at the alley entrance. Brian watched her collapse to her knees, calling out a name.

—

At the Presidential Suite in the WL Group’s flagship hotel, Brian’s expression darkened as he looked upon Natalie, her face flushed red and slipping into semi–consciousness. And she was still murmuring a man’s name, King.

He leaned in close, pinching her delicate chin.

The pain jolted Natalie back to a semblance of awareness, and she opened her blear eyes to see the man standing by the bed. The room was dark, with only the moon’s faint glow seeping through the window.

“Who’s King?” His voice was a demonic whisper, winding around her ears.

Confusion flickered through Natalie’s eyes at his question, and her gaze grew hazy.

Brian hadn’t seen her for years, and when she came into view, a sharp memory pierced him.

Natalie’s breathing was erratic, and she murmured again, “King, I… save me….

Brian was about to kiss her, but he froze at the mention of that name. Was she still thinking of another man at a time like this?

Suddenly, a frantic knock came from outside. “Mr. Howard! We’ve got trouble!“”

Brian’s gaze was intense as he stared down at Natalie, taking a moment before responding gravely, “Speak.”

“The young master has gone missing! We’ve searched the entire Howard family and can’t find

him!”

Nate was Brian’s pride and joy.

He immediately released Natalie, shrugged on a shirt, and strode to the door, opening it a crack to ask, “When?”

“After dinner. Mr. Nate was supposed to wait at home for you and Gracia, but after Mr. Davis entertained some guests in the living room and returned upstairs, Mr. Nate was gone!” The

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bodyguard replied anxiously.

Brian looked back at Natalie, hesitated for a few seconds, buttoned up his shirt, and stepped

out.

Nate was usually well–behaved and wouldn’t stray from the Howard family without good. reason. Brain thought of a few places the boy might be and sped off in his car.

As he neared the amusement park, his phone rang with a call from Gracia.

Gripping the steering wheel, Brian answered with an irritable and angry tone, “What is it?”

“Brian, Nate’s with me. Have you been looking for him?” Gracia asked cautiously.

“Daddy, I’m at Gracia’s place. Come get me…” No sooner had Gracia finished speaking than Nate’s childlike voice came through the phone.

Hearing Nate’s voice, Brian finally exhaled a sigh of relief, slammed on the brakes, and made a U–turn to head for the Wright family.

Chapter 11