"Sir, there's only one way out."
Jake's eyes sharpened. "And what way is that? Spit it out. "Announce her condition to the public," the investigator said nervously. "State her blood group… I believe her mother might hear the news and come forward to claim her. Or maybe someone with a compatible blood group will volunteer to help."Jake froze.Then he laughed.But it wasn't the kind of laugh that reached his eyes it was dark, hollow, dangerous.
"So this is your idea? This… nonsense?" His voice dropped to a deadly low. "Are you even listening to yourself at all?" A pause. Then came the fury."You have 48 hours. I want results. And next time come back with a better idea," he snapped before slamming the phone to the floor with so much force the screen shattered into pieces.Angel jumped at the sudden outburst.
"Hey! Calm down, bro! You need to relax!" Maxwell rushed to him.Jake ran a hand down his face, pacing like a caged beast."How can I relax, Max? HOW?!" he exploded. "Do you know what that idiot just told me?! He's found nothing. No leads. And the fool had the audacity to suggest I announce Aurora's disease to the public." Maxwell stiffened. "You know you can't do that, right?"
Jake scoffed. "Of course I won't. That thought hasn't even crossed my mind."
"But why not?" Angel asked innocently, genuinely confused.Jake turned to her slowly, his patience wearing thin."Max, please talk some sense into your woman before I do."
Angel blinked in disbelief. "What did I say wrong?" Jake's voice was icy. "I don't understand how you've been around us all this while and still don't know how dangerous our world is." Angel stepped back slightly. "It's just a question…"
"And it's a reckless one," Jake snapped. "You think this is about pride? No. This is about survival." Maxwell sighed, stepping in before the tension got worse. "Jake… just explain it to her. Please." Jake inhaled deeply, then turned to Angel, his voice lower but firmer now."Listen to me carefully, Angel. Aurora isn't just some ordinary girl. She's the heir to an empire. She's influential globally. Her face is on billboards, her name is on endorsements worth millions. She's a brand. She's a legacy."
He paused, lowering his gaze. "And more than that… she's Sir Charles' daughter."
Angel's eyes widened. Jake continued. "If the world finds out she's sick… if they learn her blood group… the truth will come out. The truth that she's not the biological daughter of the family she grew up with. That secret will tear everything apart."
He began pacing again. "Sir Charles will kill me. His reputation, his company, his legacy it'll all come crashing down. Do you think the world will just watch silently? No. They'll feast on her like vultures. Headlines will call her an imposter. Business competitors will use this scandal to ruin the family's image." His voice cracked slightly. "And worst of all she will be in danger. Not just from the media… but from our enemies. My enemies. Her father's enemies. Her own enemies. People who will use this as leverage. People who wouldn't think twice about killing her if it means shaking the throne."
Jake ran both hands through his hair, frustrated."If I announce her condition… I won't just be putting her in danger. I'll be signing her death certificate." Maxwell nodded grimly. "He's right. You may not understand it, Angel, but this is how our world works."
Angel's voice softened. "I didn't think of it like that…"
Jake turned to her, his tone calmer now. "Angel… there's competition in everything we do. And in our world, that competition is cutthroat. They don't target us directly they target the ones we love. The ones closest to us." Maxwell chimed in, concern on his face. "That's why we keep saying you should always be with your guards. Not for show but because men out there are wicked. They'll eliminate anything in their path if it threatens their empire."
Angel's shoulders dropped. "I understand."
Jake walked over and placed a hand on her shoulder. "I know this is a lot. But we're fighting a war. One mistake… and we lose her." Maxwell glanced at Angel's pale face. "Speaking of losing people… Angel, you look exhausted. You've been here all day. You haven't eaten. You need rest."
"I'm fine—"
"No. You're not," Jake interrupted gently. "You're anaemic. Don't think we've forgotten." Angel sighed reluctantly. "Okay, fine. I'll go rest. But I'm coming back first thing in the morning." Maxwell gave Jake a nod and gently led Angel away.
William stood outside Aurora's ward, staring at the door with a strange tightness in his chest. The hallway was cold, sterile but the emotions flooding through him were anything but.He finally stepped in.The room was one of the most expensive in all of Riverson General Hospital designed for VIPs, for those who could afford comfort even in pain. No expense had been spared. The soft hum of machines filled the air, monitoring every beat of her fragile heart.
Aurora lay there, still and pale. Tubes and wires surrounded her, a stark contrast to the life he imagined she once lived. Jake had done everything—everything—to ensure she had the best.William approached her slowly, unable to take his eyes off her.Why do I feel this way? he wondered.Why does it hurt so much… to see her like this?He didn't have the answers.But something told him… this girl, this stranger…Was going to change everything.