Chapter 298
Alex sat cross-legged in the dark silence, eyes shut tight, chasing calm.
The piercing shriek of his phone shattered the stillness.
He glanced over reluctantly, recognizing Sophia’s number flashing insistently on the screen.
His stomach twisted; every conversation they’d had lately ended in bitter arguments. He decided to ignore it, letting the incessant ring echo through the
room.
But the phone wouldn’t stop, vibrating angrily for five relentless minutes.
With an aggravated sigh, he picked it up.
“What the hell took you so long, asshole?” barked a voice clearly not Sophia’s-a rough, hostile voice dripping venom.
Alex’s brow furrowed. “Who the hell is this p>
“Your worst goddamn nightmare,” growled the stranger.
“Listen carefully. You’ve got something valuable-an ingredient for the elixir. Hand
it over, or Sophia’s going to have the worst night of her life p>
“Charles?” Alex questioned, voice edged with suspicion, though the unfamiliar growl threw him off.
“I don’t know any Charles,” snapped the caller impatiently. “Give me what I want, or she’s dead. Simple as that p>
“Fine,” Alex said coldly. “Where do you want the exchange p>
“I’ll send you the coordinates. Screw this up, and she pays the price.” The call disconnected abruptly.
Without another word, Alex grabbed his keys and stormed from the clinic to his car, heart pounding fiercely in his chest.
Whoever waited at the rendezvous point would pay dearly.
Meanwhile, sprawled limply on the hotel bed, Sophia fought to regain
consciousness, her limbs like lead and head spinning painfully.
Charles loomed over her, eyes glinting with cruel delight as he admired her helpless beauty.
“I have to say, Sophia, you’re something special,” Charles sneered, his voice thick with twisted admiration.
“I’ve tasted plenty, but none as delicious as you. You wasted your time with Alex- that weakling could never appreciate you. But after tonight, you’ll belong to me completely p>
His hands reached for his shirt buttons eagerly but paused midway.
An idea flashed wickedly across his eyes as he drew his phone, aiming it at Sophia’s vulnerable form. “Almost forgot-I have to save this special moment p>
Greed sparked in his mind, fueling darker ambitions. Sophia had money—he’d lost plenty.
Blackmail could prove profitable, especially when leverage came packaged so beautifully.
His smile deepened to a leer as his fingers danced along the edges of Sophia’s blouse, undoing buttons methodically, slowly, savoring each reveal.
Across town, Alex raced beneath shadowed streetlights toward the coordinates he’d been given.
Parking under a bleak bridge, he stepped into the gloom just as one cocky youth emerged, arrogance etched on his faces.
“Hand it over,” one demanded sharply.
Alex smirked darkly, pulling out an orange. “This is your precious item p>
“You kidding me?” the punk scoffed, confusion creasing his arrogant expression.
“No joke,” Alex insisted firmly. “This is exactly what you asked for p>
With a baffled grunt, the young thug shrugged. “Whatever, man. You give me that, I give you this phone p>
Alex recognized Sophia’s phone instantly.
With lightning speed, his hand shot out, gripping the punk’s throat tight enough to choke off his breath.
“Tell me where Sophia is right now p>
Panicked, the youth fumbled desperately for a knife, stabbing ineffectually at
Alex’s steel-like grip, panic blossoming rapidly into terror.
Alex tightened his grasp further, menace dripping from his voice.
“Talk now, or I swear you’ll never breathe again p>
“Please-God—I don’t know!” The kid gasped, dropping the knife.
“I swear, it’s just a gig! Someone hired me online p>
Disgusted, Alex hurled him to the dirt. “Explain-fast p>
“I just take the phone, exchange it for some stupid herbal thing, then mail it somewhere out of state,” he wheezed, voice ragged with fear.
“I get paid-that’s all I know p>
Alex stared coldly, recognizing the raw terror in the boy’s wide eyes.
He’d been played, manipulated by someone else’s sinister scheme.
Cursing under his breath, Alex threw that man away and swiftly dialed another number.
“Find Sophia Lancaster, right now p>
Moments felt like eternity until the phone buzzed back, delivering the grim location.
Fury ignited in Alex’s veins as he raced through the darkness toward the hotel, ready to unleash hell itself upon anyone who stood in his way.
Charles tore at Sophia’s clothes like a madman, his breath hot and heavy, eyes glazed with hunger as her body lay bare beneath him.
Then-BOOM.
The door exploded inward with a thunderous crack, wood flying. A shadow burst through the wreckage, tall, fierce, and brimming with wrath.
The air thickened. A storm had arrived.
“Who the hell dares interrupt me now?” Charles snarled, spinning to confront the intruder.
“Charles Kingston,” growled Alex, voice like frozen steel, “you must really want to die p>
Recognition flashed in Charles’s eyes, his sneer fading into something colder, mocking even.
“Ah, so it’s you, Alex. Always showing up at the worst moments p>
“You’re an arrogant fool,” Alex hissed, eyes narrowed. “After all you’ve done, you’ve got the nerve to lay your filthy hands on her p>
With a sinister chuckle, Charles aimed his pistol straight at Sophia’s temple.
“Careful there, hero. Move an inch, and your precious Sophia gets a bullet through her skull. You love her enough to beg, don’t you? Get on your knees p>
Alex’s fists clenched tight, fury barely restrained. “Kneel to you? You aren’t worth the dirt under my boots p>
“Worth?” Charles laughed, madness flickering in his eyes. “No, begging isn’t enough. Crawl over here and kiss my feet p>
Another explosive crash ripped through the tension as the door flew open once again.
Florence, Jack, and the others stormed inside, halting abruptly at the sight of Sophia’s unconscious, exposed form.
Swiftly hiding his gun, Charles twisted his expression into one of outrage. “Alex! You filthy animal, how dare you assault Sophia? If I hadn’t arrived in time, you’d have done far worse p>
The crowd gasped, disbelief shifting rapidly into hostility directed squarely at Alex.
“You despicable bastard!” Florence screamed, lunging forward to strike Alex across the face.
Alex caught her wrist effortlessly, cold determination in his eyes.
“Go ahead hit me! You sickening lowlife!” Florence shrieked, kicking Alex viciously in the shin. Alex grimaced slightly but held back,
refusing to retaliate.
“Call the damn police now! Lock this degenerate away!” Jack shouted, phone
already in hand.
“Right! A scum like him belongs behind bars!” voices echoed in furious
agreement.
Alex scanned the room, eyes coldly indifferent. “Believe what you want. This is
Charles’s doing, not mine p>
Florence scoffed contemptuously.
“Charles? Don’t insult our
intelligence. You’re pathetic, always lusting after Sophia, always rejected.
far
Your jealousy finally pushed you too didn’t it? Tonight you’ll rot in jail p>
“That’s nonsense!” Alex’s voice thundered back, his frustration erupting.
“Why else would Sophia be here if Charles hadn’t kidnapped her first?” “Lies!” Florence screamed back. “Everyone here knows Charles is honorable, unlike you. You disgust me p>
“Caught red-handed and still blaming others! You’re shameless, Alex!” another voice jeered.
Anger and disdain filled every glare directed at Alex, condemning him without trial.