Chapter 679
“I swear on my life, I’ll never hurt Charlie again. I won’t let anything happen to you or her—if I break this promise, may I never have another peaceful day.”
Charles’ voice was rough, but every word rang with truth.
Evelyn winced a little at his last words but didn’t say anything. She just glanced at him, then quietly bent down and got into the car.
Charles started to follow, but a wave of weakness nearly dropped him. The metallic taste in his throat was almost impossible to swallow back.
He couldn’t hold out much longer.
He couldn’t risk getting in the car and spitting up blood in front of Evelyn and Charlie-he didn’t want to scare Charlie like that.
So, Charles took a step back, steadying himself. “I’ll have the security team take you and Charlie home,” he told Evelyn, forcing his voice to sound steady.
“Okay,” Evelyn replied softly, glancing at Charlie.
Charles gave the two of them a long, lingering look, then closed the car door. He turned to the head of security. “Have everyone follow close. Don’t let anything happen-get them home safely.”
“Mr. Jenkins…” The guard looked uneasy, clearly worried about Charles.
Some of the team belonged to Francis, the rest were loyal to Charles. They wanted to leave half the men behind to protect Charles, but he shut that down with a look.
No one dared argue. The guard left just one driver with Charles and took everyone else to escort Evelyn and Charlie home.
The car rolled away, taillights fading into the darkness at the end of the street.
As soon as they were out of sight, all the strength went out of Charles.
He doubled over-
A mouthful of dark red blood splattered on the cold pavement, shockingly bright under the streetlights.
Charles staggered, everything going black, and crashed backward.
“Mr. Jenkins!”
The two guards rushed forward, catching him before he hit the ground.
…
When Charles woke up, it was a full day later.
He blinked his eyes open and
realized he was back at Francis’et
villa. His whole body felt drained, and the coppery taste still clung to his throat. s Fresh chapters posted on
“Charles! You’re awake!”
Andrew, who’d been waiting by his bed, hurried to check him over.
Charles had been running on fumes for a long time-always putting Charlie first, never stopping to rest. It was no wonder his body finally gave out.
For three days, Andrew did everything in his power to keep Charles stable, and finally, he’d woken up.
“What about Charlie? Where is she? Has she been looking for me?”
Charles didn’t know he’d been out for three days. Before he’d collapsed, he’d told the guards not to let Evelyn or Charlie worry.
Just the thought of Charlie made him struggle to sit up, afraid she’d be scared if he disappeared again-afraid she’d think he didn’t want her after all. fo s
He’d just barely earned her trust.
“Charlie…”
Andrew’s expression darkened at her name.
Charles caught it and froze mid-motion, gripping Andrew’s arm tight. “What happened to Charlie?”
Andrew hesitated, clearly not knowing how to break the news.
A sense of dread crashed over Charles. “Tell me!”
Andrew finally forced out the words, his voice heavy. “Charlie and Ms. Evelyn were taken by the Cipoletti family yesterday.”
“What?!”
At the mention of the Cipoletti family, Charles’s face went sheet white, his eyes wild with panic.
Andrew tried to hold him down,
speaking quickly, “On the way home, not far from the estate, their car was cut off on a quiet stretch of road by severabunmarked SUVs. The men were heavily armed and knew exactly what they were doing. Francis’s people-there were heavy losses. Ms. Evelyn and Charlie… they were taken.