Filed to story: When His Wife Can’t Forgive
He sat down and asked, “What’s this deal about?”
Not seeing the point in keeping it secret, Alicia replied, “They’re trading the hotel’s surveillance footage.”
Caden’s expression darkened slightly.
“There’s no need to get it. I know nothing happened.”
“Your opinion isn’t the deciding factor,” Alicia shot back.
Caden fell silent.
Meanwhile, Blake waited for his bodyguards to arrive at the meeting place, bringing only two men with him; after all, he was dealing with a cash-strapped gambler, not a threat.
As soon as he arrived, Blake spotted the security guard fidgeting at the entrance, looking restless. The security guard looked impatient, eyes eagerly scanning the surroundings.
Blake approached him, cash in hand.
“First, let’s see the USB drive.”
Without hesitation, the guard produced a small USB from his pocket.
Blake frowned.
“Play it for me first. I need to verify it’s the right footage.”
The security guard, clearly impatient, complied and plugged the USB into a laptop.
Blake watched a brief segment and nodded; it was the correct video.
Suddenly, the security guard snatched the money and took off.
Blake’s bodyguards swiftly tackled the guard to the ground.
The guard screamed in panic, “Let me go! I don’t want to die here!”
Blake, taken aback, kicked him.
“What do you mean ‘die’? Why did you run off with the money? Is there something wrong with that USB?”
“No, the video is real! Just let me go, please!” the guard pleaded, his eyes wide with fear.
Blake had a feeling something was off.
Just then, the sound of revving engines echoed outside. He looked up to see several burly men stepping out of a car, one of whom looked like one of Caden’s bodyguards.
What were they doing here?
The men advanced with an intimidating presence, causing Blake to feel a chill run down his spine. He discreetly stepped back, quickly hiding the USB in his sleeve.
As the bodyguards approached, Blake asked, “Did Caden send you?”
The leader nodded, his voice low and stern.
“Mr. Langstaff, did you get the item?”
“I have it. What’s the rush?” Blake replied, assuming Caden was eager to see the footage, feeling slightly superior for having it first.
But as he attempted to leave, the bodyguard blocked his path with a fierce glare.
“Then hand it over. I’ll deliver it to Mr. Ward.”
Blake’s heart raced, a wave of dread washing over him.
“I paid for this. Why should I give it to you?”
The bodyguard, losing his patience, struck Blake hard in the face.
Blake was completely outmatched by the skilled tough guys. He found himself knocked to the ground, tumbling hard. Darkness crept into his vision as he felt a crazy flow of blood from his nose. Trembling, he covered his face with his hands.
Before he had a chance to respond, a bodyguard clutched his collar and pinned him down, unleashing a shower of punches. A few punches in, Blake’s awareness started to slip away, his sight becoming a blur.
The two bodyguards he had with him witnessed this and immediately ran away.
A voice from nearby intervened, “Hey, take it easy. They didn’t say to beat him to death.” The man relaxed his grip slightly.
Blake remained on the ground, his face smeared with blood. A buzzing filled his head, and he could barely make out any sounds.
Someone was going through his things, apparently searching for something. He realized that they were after the USB drive.
In a quick motion, he hid the USB drive in his sleeve by clenching it in his fist.
Frustrated from finding nothing, the bodyguard kicked him. He then seized Blake by the throat and demanded menacingly, “Where’s the USB drive?”
Blake tried to speak, but he could only cough up blood. Forming words was beyond him at that moment.
It became clear to him then that the security guard had feared this group. It explained the silence over the past few days. He had been watched the whole time, and the day’s meeting was a trap set by those behind the scenes. His being there had allowed the security guard to escape.
Without any reply from Blake, the bodyguard delivered another crushing blow, rendering Blake unconscious.
Someone restrained the aggressive man.
“Hey, don’t kill him.”
“Did his men get the USB drive and escape? Why else can’t we find it?”
“Damn, this guy is quick!”
The bodyguard spat on the ground and kicked Blake, who lay unconscious.
“Check if he’s dead.”
One of the henchmen stepped forward to feel for Blake’s pulse.
“He’s still breathing.”
“He’s not to be killed,” the bodyguard said.
“Mr. Hampton said make him pay dearly. That’s the only way he’ll learn.”
The henchman laughed, nodding in agreement.
“Mr. Hampton does look out for us. We need to keep him satisfied.”
The bodyguard pulled out a knife and commanded, “Wake him up. We need to finish this quickly.”
The henchman paused, uncertain.
“But isn’t this guy related to Caden? What if Caden retaliates?”
“He’s barely a relative,” the bodyguard replied.
“Plus, after his recent scandal with Alicia, Caden would probably thank us for getting rid of him. With Mr. Hampton on our side, we’ve got nothing to worry about.”
If it weren’t for Corey’s greater influence, he wouldn’t have left Caden’s side to work with Corey. Loyalty was bought. That was the harsh truth of their world.
Suddenly, Blake was drenched with cold water from a bucket, shocking him awake.
His vision was smeared with blood, and he couldn’t see clearly. Pain coursed through his body. He moaned, trying to move, but his strength failed him. Rough hands wiped the blood from his eyes.
Barely catching his breath, Blake noticed his right hand was tied to a pillar with a rope. Laughing, the bodyguard teased, “Mr. Langstaff, bet you’ve never felt pain like this, huh?”
Blake’s eyes widened at the sight of the menacing knife. His voice trembled.
“What… what do you want?”
The bodyguard pressed his boot against Blake’s right palm.
“Mr. Ward believes you degraded his woman. It’s time for your lesson.”
Before Blake could respond, the knife slashed down, injuring his wrist. His screams filled the cramped room, desperate and ragged with pain. Yet, his screams soon vanished beneath the harsh laughter of his captors.
At eight in the evening, dark clouds cast a gloomy shadow over the skyscrapers of Warrington, the lights from the buildings barely making a mark in the darkness.
Alicia had just endured another injection and felt weak from the pain. It took her some time to exit the treatment room. Caden had to leave for work much earlier, leaving behind his most trusted driver to escort her home after her session.
While in the elevator, the driver asked, “Ms. Bennett, should we head back to your apartment now?”
Alicia gave a weak nod.
Taking the opportunity, the driver discreetly pulled out his phone to send a message to Caden. Alicia noticed and said, “Feel free to use both hands for texting. I promise I won’t look.”
Caught off guard, the driver quickly stashed his phone, pretending ignorance.
“What do you mean, Ms. Bennett?”
Alicia gestured toward the mirror ahead of them.
“I can see everything,” she said.
The driver fell quiet awkwardly. The lighting in the hospital elevator was so bright that it revealed every minor detail.
Trying to deflect, the driver touched his nose.