Chapter 190

“What do you mean my wife is missing?”

Gabriel’s voice shook as he spoke into the phone. His grip tightened on the steering wheel, his knuckles turning white.

“I left her at home not long ago. She didn’t tell me she was going anywhere. Speak to me, damn it!”

His palm slammed hard against the car wheel, the sound echoing inside the vehicle.

*I’m sorry, sir,” Stone said from the other end, his voice tense. “Her bodyguards said she left the house immediately after you did. She drove herself.”

Gabriel’s heart dropped.

“Please, sir,” Stone continued carefully. “I think you should come to the Wyndham mansion. Your parents are very worried.”

“I’m on my way,” Gabriel said coldly. “And by the time I get there, I want to know exactly where my wife is.”

He ended the call abruptly.

The engine roared as Gabriel sped off. He drove recklessly, his mind filled with images of his wife, and of her little bomb. He barely noticed how close he came to crashing into another car as he swerved past it.***

A WEEK BEFORE NOW

John Wyndham walked into the correctional facility with heavy steps. A prison guard escorted him down a long hallway, and as they reached the end of the hall. A thick metal door opened with a loud creak

John stepped inside.

The door locked behind him.

An old man sat behind a metal table. He wore a faded blue prison shirt. His body looked thinner than John remembered, his face covered in deep wrinkles. Time and

– regret had not been kind to him.

Adrian Wyndham.

A single chair sat opposite him.

John pulled the chair back and sat down slowly.

” heard you wanted to speak to me,” John said calmly, though his eyes were sharp.

“Yes,” Adrian replied. His voice was rough, but steady. “I wanted to see you because ! want to make a deal.”

John’s jaw tightened.

“I know I failed this family before,” Adrian continued. “But I swear to you, John, I never wanted to hurt anyone.””Get to the point,” John said coldly.

Adrian leaned forward slightly. “The enemy you’re looking for is Stephen Winthrope.”

John froze.

“Delphine Winthrope’s grandfather,” Adrian added.

John straightened in shock. “What? Delphine’s grandfather? Why would he come after my family? What does he want from us?”

Adrian let out a dry laugh. “It’s simple. Wealth.”

He paused, then continued. “Stephen had a protection deal with Alfred years ago. When a man has too much money, too many people want a piece of it.”

“My brother should have shared his wealth with m-”

“Don’t give me that nonsense,” John snapped. “You know that my father wanted to help you. But you were addicted to gambling. You lost everything you had. How did you expect him to trust you with more?”

Adrian chuckled quietly. “I see he told you everything.”

“Why didn’t he tell me about Stephen?” John asked sharply.

“Because he underestimated him,” Adrian replied. “And that was his biggest mistake.”Adrian’s eyes darkened. “Criminals are greedy and patient. You never ignore them. The moment my brother made a deal with Stephen, he put everyone at risk.”

Adrian leaned back. “Who do you think put Anna through everything she suffered?”

John’s eyes widened. “What are you talking about?”

Adrian sighed deeply. “John, I’m over seventy years old. I don’t want to die in prison.”

John said nothing.

“I can help you,” Adrian continued. “Stephen is dangerous.

But if we join hands and play his game better than him, we can trap him. I still have audio recordings-his voice, and his threats. We can use them against him.”

John shook his head slowly. “You’re not making sense.”

“I know,” Adrian said. “Let me explain properly.”

He took a deep breath.

“Stephen Winthrope is a powerful criminal. Years ago, l owed money at his casino. A lot of money. When I couldn’t pay, ran to my brother for help.”

John listened quietly.

“I didn’t know Alfred already had dealings with Stephen.

While I was begging for help, Alfred was negotiating protection for his family-from me.”Adrian laughed bitterly. “Stephen demanded something in return. He wanted Gabriel to marry Delphine. In exchange, the family would be protected.”

John frowned. “So you’re saying my friend’s father is the real enemy?”

“Yes,” Adrian said firmly.

John stood up angrily. “You stole my son at birth-separated me from my children. And you’re telling me you’re not my enemy? My father wasn’t perfect, but he wasn’t stupid. Think carefully before you lie to me.”

He turned and walked toward the door.

“If you don’t listen to me,” Adrian said loudly, “he will kill Isla within two weeks and that’s the truth.”

John froze.

“The plan was completed before I was arrested,” Adrian continued urgently. “I gain nothing from killing my own family.

”

John slowly turned back. “What nonsense are you talking about?”

“The truth,” Adrian said. “If we don’t act now, Isla won’t be the only one who dies. Her unborn child will die too.”

John’s breath caught.

“He’s working with the most notorious mafia in this city,”Adrian added. “You know them already.”

John’s face paled.

“Everyone knows how wealthy Alfred was,” Adrian continued. “They know Gabriel is the only heir. Isla is the only obstacle.”

“The bodyguards won’t save her,” Adrian said firmly. “They failed once because Sarah interfered. They won’t fail again.”

“This is madness,” John whispered.

“One of them is inside your family,” Adrian said quietly.”

Feeding them information.”

“I know it was Wyatt,” John said. “He’s already in prison.”

Adrian shook his head. “You’re wrong. There’s someone else. And that person knows Isla very well.”

Silence filled the room.

“Alright,” John said finally. “How do I save her?”

Adrian leaned forward. “Stage her abduction. Declare her dead.”

John’s heart pounded.

“Only you and Gabriel must know the truth,” Adrian continued. “Let Gabriel return to Delphine, announce an engagement, and fix a wedding date. Make it grand.”

“What?” John shouted.

“It’s the only way to trap Stephen,” Adrian said calmly.”

Otherwise, everyone dies.”

***

BACK TO PRESENT

John sat alone with Gabriel inside the bedroom. The rest of the family waited outside, unaware of the truth.

Gabriel was speechless after knowing the truth.

“Now you understand the danger,” John said quietly.”

Everyone will hate you for this. Diana. Charles. Even your mother. But this is the only way to save Isla.”

Gabriel’s hands trembled.

“I can’t stay away from her,” he said hoarsely. “I need to see my wife.”

John looked at him sadly.

“Make it happen,” Gabriel said firmly. “Whatever this plan is… I need to see her.”

John didn’t respond to him. He only kept looking at his son.