Chapter 130 Terrence Appears
Jasmine shrank back in terror, but there was nowhere to go—only the cold, unforgiving wall pressing against her spine.
She had no choice but to look up at Blair's face—cold and malicious.
The muffled sounds trying to escape her throat were crushed by the gag stuffed in her mouth. She wanted to scream, but all that came out were garbled whimpers. Rope bit into her wrists and ankles, leaving angry red welts.
Blair moved closer, each step bringing that face into sharper focus, each step making Jasmine's blood run colder.
"Any other cameras?" Bianca turned her head, her gaze sweeping coldly over Samuel, who lay on the ground like a heap of rotting sludge.
"I won't tell you…" Samuel's voice was barely audible.
The wooden rod came down hard. Samuel grunted, curling in on himself.
When it came to these insignificant details, he wasn't exactly tight-lipped. He spilled everything within minutes.
Once Bianca confirmed there were no other cameras, she scanned the room. Still no way out.
She walked back to Samuel.
"Where's Jasmine?"
Samuel's lips pressed into a thin line. No matter how hard Bianca pushed, all she got was that same cold "I don't know."
Bianca's wrist ached from the repeated strikes. She shook out her hand, glaring down at the man on the floor.
Samuel didn't even have the strength to speak anymore. If not for the faint rise and fall of his chest, you'd think he was already dead.
She dropped to the floor without hesitation, pulling out the phone with no signal. She couldn't call for help, but the basic functions still worked—like the voice recorder.
She saved the recording, backed it up, and shoved the phone back in her pocket. Then she looked up at the warehouse ceiling, her brow furrowed.
A dull thud echoed from the iron door.
Bianca shot to her feet, her eyes locked on the entrance.
Samuel's accomplices?
But if they had a key, why ram the door?
Could it be Paxton?
Maybe he'd followed her, realized she was trapped, and brought people to break her out.
The impacts continued, rhythmic and forceful. Definitely more than one person.
Even if it was Paxton, Bianca stayed cautious. She ducked behind a pile of debris, holding her breath.
The door was ancient. After a few brutal hits, it crashed inward, sending up a cloud of dust.
Bianca's hiding spot was safe from the debris, but Samuel choked on the dust, coughing up dirt.
A team moved into the warehouse with military precision. At the center stood a familiar figure, radiating cold authority, his steps measured and deliberate.
Bianca's heart seized.
Relief and panic collided, leaving her off-balance.
Her gaze flicked to Samuel on the ground. Unease twisted in her gut.
Terrence's sharp gaze swept the warehouse.
His men had reported that Bianca left school alone, destination unknown.
The recording played in his mind on a loop. He'd been convinced she was trying to run from him.
But when his eyes landed on Samuel, the anger gave way to confusion and shock.
His gaze cut through the clutter, locking onto Bianca with unwavering precision.
Bianca froze for a moment.
Once she confirmed it was Terrence, she stopped hiding and stepped out.
As she passed Samuel, she hesitated for a fraction of a second, then spoke as casually as she could manage.
"He was already like this when I got here." Under Terrence's skeptical stare, she doubled down. "I swear, it had nothing to do with me."
She couldn't let him see past the fragile, harmless image she'd cultivated.
She absolutely couldn't.
"Terrence, you have to believe me, I really didn't…"
His hand settled on top of her head, cutting her off mid-sentence.
"Are you hurt?"
Bianca blinked, then shook her head. "No."
Terrence nodded slightly before turning his attention back to Samuel.
"Get rid of him." His voice was ice—like Samuel wasn't family, just trash to be taken out.
"Jasmine!" Worry flooded Bianca's face. "They took her. I don't know where she is!"
Terrence took her hand, his thumb brushing over her knuckles before he let go.
He put distance between them—subtle, deliberate. Bianca was too consumed with worry to notice.
The urgency in her eyes was unmistakable.
Something sharp twisted in Terrence's chest. A bitter smile ghosted across his lips.
Did he really matter to her at all?
"I'll help you find her."
"Terrence, you're so good to me."
Bianca reached for him, but he stepped back. She stared at her empty hand.
His voice came from above, detached. "Let's go. I'll take you to her."
Bianca pressed her lips together, looking down as he walked away. Her chest felt like it was being crushed in an invisible fist, making it hard to breathe.
The scenery outside the car window blurred past. Bianca's gaze stayed fixed on Terrence's reflection in the glass.
Shadows from the backseat carved his features into sharp relief. His eyes were closed, fingers pressed to his temple.
The silence in the car was suffocating.
"Terrence, have you been sleeping okay?"
"Mm."
The low hum confirmed he wasn't asleep.
A sour ache rose in Bianca's throat. Her fingers curled into fists.
"You're being so cold to me…" she said quietly, reaching out to touch him.
Terrence opened his eyes. They were dark, clouded, unreadable.
He pushed her hand away.
"I'm not. Just thinking."
Bianca stared at her fingertips, then yanked her hand back and slumped against the seat.
She crossed her arms, turning to stare out the window.
"Fine. Let's just be a mute couple. We can just communicate in sign language."
"It's not that."
She waited. The silence stretched. Anger simmered in her chest.
"Terrence," she turned to face him, "what did I do to upset you? Can you just tell me? We can work through it together."
Terrence looked at the sincerity in her eyes. The words were right there, but he swallowed them down. The recording played again in his mind, battering against his ribs.
He pressed his lips together, the bitterness too much to voice.
"Nothing. Just haven't been sleeping well."
Bianca's frustration flared. She knew he'd been about to say something.
"Fine. Don't talk then."
Terrence lowered his gaze, saying nothing. He spun the pen in his hand, thumb running over the clip.
The recording echoed in his head again—that familiar voice saying, "Samuel, take me away, please? I don't want to marry Terrence. I've met him. He's a monster. He kills people without blinking."