THE ULTIMATE THREAT
Elara had just been discharged from the hospital and brought home under tight security.
Two bodyguards stood outside her apartment. Cameras blinked from every corner.
Lucien refused to leave her side.
"You should be resting," he murmured.
"I am," she replied softly.
"But my mind won't stop."
Just then—
Lucien's phone rang.
Unknown number.
He answered.
"Blackwood," he said coldly.
A familiar laugh filled the line.
"Miss me, darling?"
Lucien stiffened.
"Serena."
---
The Kidnapping
"I have something you love," Serena purred.
"Someone very close to your precious wife."
Elara's heart dropped.
"What did you do?" Lucien growled.
Serena sent a picture.
It was Maria's little brother, tied to a chair, fear written all over his face.
Elara gasped.
"That's a child!"
Serena laughed.
"Exactly. Makes it more fun."
---
The Demand
"You have 24 hours," Serena said.
"Transfer all your remaining shares to me… and publicly apologize to me."
Lucien clenched his fists.
"And if I refuse?"
"Then the boy disappears."
The call ended.
---
Elara Breaks Down
Elara collapsed onto the couch, shaking.
"She's insane… using a child…"
Lucien paced furiously.
"This is my fault. I let her get this far."
Elara grabbed his hand.
"No. We'll outsmart her."
---
A Risky Plan
Lucien turned to his security team.
"Trace the call. Every tower. Every signal."
One man nodded.
"We're working on it."
Elara swallowed.
"I'm going too."
Lucien spun.
"No."
"That boy is innocent," she said.
"And Serena wants me to show up."
He hesitated.
"Doctor said no stress—"
"She threatened a life," Elara snapped.
"I won't hide."
---
Serena's Trap
In the abandoned warehouse, Serena smirked.
"She'll come," she whispered.
"She always does."
She walked to the trembling boy.
"Don't cry," she mocked.
"You're about to become famous."
---
Lucien's Promise
Lucien pulled Elara into his arms.
"If anything happens—"
"Nothing will," she whispered.
"We're stronger than her."
He kissed her forehead.
"I won't lose you. Or our baby."