Chapter 80

While Christian was out searching for Anna with Ethan, Colin, Jake, and Alex, Serena sat anxiously by Victoria's bedside, her mind swirling with guilt and regret. She couldn't believe that her best friend was now fighting for her life—all because of Anna. Serena had always had a bad feeling about Anna, ever since she first met her. There was something off about her, something not quite right. But Victoria had always been so enamored with her supposed sister. Even after Anna's confrontation, Serena knew something was amiss because that was the day they found out that Victoria had been poisoned.

As she looked at Victoria's pale face, hooked up to machines and IVs, Serena couldn't help but feel a wave of anger and frustration wash over her. She should have done something sooner. She should have investigated Anna further. She should have protected Victoria from whatever poison Anna had concocted. But now it was too late, and all Serena could do was sit by Victoria's side and hope for the best.

As the guys searched, tensions ran high among the group. Each of them had their own theories about Anna, their own suspicions and fears. Ethan was convinced that Anna was a dangerous mastermind, capable of anything. Christian, on the other hand, didn't want to think about anything; he just knew that Anna was a dead woman. He wasn't going to let her live after what she did to his wife. Alex was more pragmatic, focusing on the facts and evidence they had gathered. Jake was hot-headed, ready to confront Anna head-on. And Colin, ever the peacemaker, tried to keep the group united and focused on their goal.

But as the hours passed and their search came up empty, doubts began to creep in. What if they were wrong about Anna? What if she was innocent, and Victoria's illness was just a tragic accident? What if she was also in danger? But deep down, none of them could shake the feeling that Anna was behind it all, that she was a threat that needed to be stopped.

Back at the hospital, Serena refused to leave Victoria's side, determined to stay with her until she woke up. She couldn't bear the thought of losing her best friend, not after everything they had been through together. And as she sat there, holding Victoria's hand and praying for her recovery, a spark of determination lit within her.

She knew that Anna had to be stopped, no matter the cost. She had to protect Victoria, no matter what it took. So, with newfound resolve, Serena vowed to find Anna and bring her to justice, no matter the risks involved.

While Christian and his friends were still searching for Anna, he received a text message from her.

Christian's mind was racing as he read Anna's message. Panic gripped his heart as he realized just how dire the situation was. Anna was really the only person who could save Victoria.

Christian knew that he had to act fast. He excused himself from his friends, making up a flimsy excuse about needing to get some air, and quickly made his way to the secluded warehouse that Anna had mentioned in her message. The warehouse was dark and foreboding, surrounded by a chain-link fence topped with barbed wire. Christian's heart pounded in his chest as he approached the entrance, his senses on high alert.

As he entered the warehouse, the only sound was the echo of his footsteps on the concrete floor. He called out Anna's name, his voice echoing off the walls. Suddenly, a figure emerged from the shadows, and Christian felt a chill run down his spine. It was Anna, but she looked different somehow. Her eyes were cold and calculating, a far cry from the warm, caring woman he had known.

"Christian," Anna said, her voice like ice. "I have the antidote to save your wife. But first, we need to talk."

Christian felt a sense of unease wash over him. Was she really capable of saving Victoria, or was this all just a game to her?

Anna was no longer pretending to be Victoria's sister. She meant business and had no time to be nice to Christian. She had been able to infiltrate his company and get close to his wife without either of them suspecting a thing. She would still be stuck in that house if it wasn't for Serena almost catching her.

"I want you to sign over your company to me," Anna said, her eyes cold and calculating. "I want Chadwick Group to be mine before I give you the antidote to save your wife."

Christian clenched his fists, feeling the rage bubbling inside him. How could she be so heartless, so cruel? But he knew that if he captured her now, she would never give him the cure. He had to be just as calculating as Anna if he wanted to save Victoria.

She was showing her true colors now, and they were darker than he could have ever thought possible. But now Christian knew what Anna was after.

Reluctantly, he agreed to sign over Chadwick Group to her. He knew it was the only way to save Victoria. With an angry face, he left the warehouse and made his way to the hospital where Victoria lay, her pale face haunting him every step of the way.

As he entered her room, Christian’s heart sank at the sight of his wife lying so still on the hospital bed. Tubes and wires were attached to her frail body, keeping her alive. He couldn’t bear to see her like this, knowing that he was the reason she was suffering.

Pulling up a chair next to her bed, Christian took Victoria’s hand in his, feeling the coolness of her skin against his. Tears welled up in his eyes as he thought about their children, the life they had planned together, the dreams they had shared now shattered by Anna’s greed and cruelty.

But Christian was not one to give up easily. He knew that he had to find a way to outsmart Anna, to get the cure for Victoria without losing his company. He had to be cunning, strategic, and above all, patient.

After leaving Victoria in the care of Serena, Christian worked tirelessly to come up with a plan to save his wife. He spent countless hours poring over documents, making calls to his lawyers, and meeting with his closest advisors to devise a strategy to defeat Anna.

Finally, after careful planning and preparation, Christian was ready to make his move. He had a plan in place, a way to outwit Anna and get the antidote to save Victoria without losing Chadwick Group.

As he sat down with Anna to discuss the terms of the takeover, Christian kept his emotions in check, his face a mask of calm and composure. He listened as Anna laid out her demands, her voice dripping with arrogance and entitlement.

But Christian was ready. He had a plan up his sleeve, a way to turn the tables on her. With a steely gaze, he handed Anna the signed documents, transferring ownership of Chadwick Group to her.

As Anna smirked in triumph, Christian knew that victory was within his reach. He had played his part in this twisted game of chess, and now it was time to make his move.

With a swift motion, Christian lunged forward, grabbing Anna by the wrist and twisting it behind her back. He could feel her struggling against him, but he held on tight, his grip unyielding.

"Where is the antidote, Anna?" Christian demanded, his voice cold and authoritative. "Give it to me now, or else."

"Or else what?" Anna asked, a smirk on her face.

"One thing you should know is that I call the shots here, so if you want your little wife to live, you better let go of my hand right now, or you will live to regret it for the rest of your life," she continued, this time with a chilling gaze in her eyes.

Christian immediately let go of her hand and relaxed.

"So how will I get the antidote?" he asked, this time more calmly.

"Wait for my call. I need to make sure I'm safe first. I don't trust you. Now be a good boy and go to your wife and wait for my instructions," she said while standing up and leaving.

Christian sent a text to an unknown number that said, "Is the tracker working?"

When he held Anna's hand, he had placed a tracker on her. Anna was not even aware she was being followed; she was celebrating, thinking she was still in control.

Christian made a call to the hospital, telling them to prepare his wife because he was soon bringing them the cure.