Chapter 119
Chapter 119:
“This is Anson Hyde,” he said. “I need information. There was a security guard — worked at the estate years ago, fired for negligence. Jared Solder. Find out where he is and what he’s been doing. I want to know if he holds a grudge p>
Saturday evening. Dallas stood in the foyer of the Koch Family Estate when Augustina cornered him.
“You moved out of the penthouse p>
“I moved in with my wife,” he said, adjusting his cuffs.
Augustina studied him, something shifting in her expression. “You’re serious about her. It’s not just the contract p>
“Listen to me very carefully,” Dallas said, his voice dropping low, a clear warning beneath the calm surface. “It was never just a contract. I’ve wanted her for five years p>
“Five years?” Augustina’s eyes widened. “Since the gala? But she was with Anson p>
“I waited. I planned. And now I have her.” His voice was quiet and absolute. “She is not a pawn in our family’s games. She is the endgame. Stay away from her p>
“Does she know?” Augustina asked, visibly shaken.
Dallas checked his watch. Nine o’clock. “I’m telling her tonight.” He straightened his jacket. “I’m already late p>
At the S&D Studio, Eliza finished the last inventory sheet and set down her pen.
𝖱𝖾𝘤o𝘮𝗆еո𝘥 𝗍o 𝘺o𝘂𝗿 𝗳r𝗶еոd𝗌
“See you Monday!” Bella Rose called out, pulling on her coat.
Eliza locked up and checked her phone. A message from Dallas:
On my way. 10 mins. Weston got a priority alert at the downtown data center — a potential breach. He had to divert the primary detail. I’m coming myself. Stay inside.
Eliza frowned. A flicker of her newfound independence chafed at the instruction. The street outside looked quiet, the lights were on, and the air through the glass felt tempting after hours indoors. She decided to wait just outside the door — only for a moment, only for the fresh air.
The street was still. A streetlight overhead stuttered and flickered.
A white van sat parked across the road, its headlights dark. The driver’s silhouette was just visible behind the windshield.
A chill moved through her. She took a step back toward the door.
The van’s side door opened. A man climbed out, dressed in a maintenance uniform. He moved toward her with unhurried purpose, and as he passed beneath the flickering light, recognition jolted through her like a current.
Jared Solder. The security guard Anson had fired years ago after a bitter argument.
“Jared?” she asked, her voice edged with confusion. “What are you doing here p>
“Miss Solomon?” he said, grinning. The grin was wrong. Predatory.
“It’s Mrs. Koch,” she corrected, instinctively.
“Even better,” Jared said. He pulled a rag from his pocket.
Eliza turned to run. He lunged.
The rag hit her face. A sharp chemical stench flooded her nose. She kicked him hard, but his grip was iron. Her phone clattered to the ground.
Darkness took her.
Jared threw her into the back of the van. Tires screeched as he sped away.
Five minutes later, the Rolls-Royce pulled up to the curb. Dallas stepped out, holding a bouquet of Juliet Roses — her favorite.
The studio was dark. No Eliza.