CHAPTER 27

The car slammed into her knocking her off her feet, but the impact wasn't enough to send her flying. Pain exploded through her side as she hit the pavement wall, her head snapping back against the floor.

The world blurred. She tried to move, to push herself up but her legs felt like lead—they couldn't move no matter how hard she tried. Her breath came in short, hollow gaps. And then the darkness swallowed her whole.

From the hotel entrance, Zayden saw it all.

His heart pounded. "CAMEILLA," he screamed.

Panic surged through him as he sprinted towards her, but before he could reach her, the car door burst open. Two figures dressed in dark clothing rushed toward her limp body. One knelt down, checking her pulse, while the other kept watch. It was clear they weren’t amateurs.

Zayden's step faltered as rage ignited inside him. No. No. No. This can't be!

The man who checked her pulse nodded to his partner. In one swift movement, they lifted Cameilla and shoved her into the backseat of the car.

Zayden charged forward, but the car sped off, tires screeching against the floor. He barely have time to catch the plate number before the car disappeared down the street.

Breathing heavily, he pulled out his phone and dialed a number. "Find out who owns this car," he said, immediately his private investigator answered the car. "I want result. Now."

The private investigator didn't waste time. "Give me the plate number."

Zayden rattled it off, his fists clenched. Who had taken her? They had so many enemies, but who could have done this. Was it Daisy? Or was it Harrison?

Minutes stretched into the agonizing waiting, finally the Investigator called back. "The car was stolen two days ago," the man reported grimly. "No idea who is driving it. No CCTV footage from the theft. Whosoever had taken her must have meticulously planned this."

Zayden's jaw tightened, his pulse hammering in his chest.

This wasn’t random. Someone had planned this.

“Find that car,” he ordered. “And find her. I don't care if you have to search the whole country."

He ended the call, his grip tightening around the phone. Whosoever had taken Cameilla made a huge mistake, because now they had made an enemy out of him and he would make them pay. Greatly.

*****

An abandoned warehouse.

Inside one of the room in warehouse was dark. Silent.

Then came the pain.

A deep, full ache throbbed all through Cameilla's body—From her head down to her limbs. The sensation was disorienting, her mind was sluggish, struggling to grasp reality. The last thing she remembered was the blinding glare of headlights and deafening screech of tires.

The smell of antiseptic was absent, replaced by dampness and something metallic. The sheets beneath her weren’t crisp hospital linens but rough fabric that scratched against her skin. A slow realization crept over her—this wasn’t a hospital.

Panic surged through her veins, and her eyes eyes flew wide open.

Darkness.

The only light came from a flickering bulb hanging in the ceiling. The walls were bare, cold and unwelcoming. Her pulse quickened. But she wasn't alone.

A Shadow moved in the corner. "You are awake?"

The voice was smooth, measured—too calm. The figure stepped closer to Cameilla, although his face was still partially obscured by dim light.

Cameilla's heart pounded in her chest. She tried to sit up, but her body protested against it. She gritted her teeth.

"Who are you?" She asked, her voice hoarse. "Where am I?"

The man tilted his head, as if amused. “Somewhere safe—for now.”

She quickly scanned the room, searching for anything she can use as a weapon, or an escape route. The door behind the man was solid metal, no windows, no obvious way out.

"You were in an accident," the man continued, crossing his arm. "But before your lover could get to you, we did."

We?

Cameilla's blood ran cold. "Who are you working for?"

The man chuckled. "I think you already know."

Daisy? Harrison? Or the both of them,?

A surge of fury overtook her fear. "So what now?" She snapped. “Are you going to kill me? Because if that’s the plan, you should’ve let the damn car finish the job.”

The man smirked. "Oh no, we are not killing you. At least, not yet." He crouched beside her, her eyes gleaming with defiance. "You're too valuable, alive."

Cameilla clenched her jaw. They wanted something for her. Information. Leverage. Maybe even Zayden.

But one thing was clear—she was in danger. She thought of Catherine, her parents, and her revenge and then she knew she had to survive.

******

Zayden stormed into Daisy's penthouse, his anger barely contained. Daisy was the first on top of his list.

Daisy was lounging on her white leather sofa, a glass of wine in her hand. When she saw him, she arched a perfectly shaped brow. “Zayden, what a surprise. To what do I owe this visit?”

Zayden didn't waste time, he strode towards her, snatching the glass of wine from her and shattering it against the floor. "Where is she?"

Daisy's smirk barely wavered. "Who?"

"Don't play games with me, Daisy," his voice was sharp and cold. "Cameilla was taken tonight. You wouldn't happen to know anything about it, would you?"

Daisy sighed dramatically, crossing her legs. "Oh, Zayden, please. I have better things to do than orchestrate kidnappings."

Zayden grabbed her wrist, forcing her to look at him. "Listen to me. If I find out you had anything to do with this—if you so much as whispered her name to the wrong people—I will ruin you.”

Daisy break her hand free, her eyes blazing. "I didn't take your little slut. But you both must have made a lot of enemies. Maybe one of them decide to finally strike. Now get out," she said gesturing towards the door.

Zayden clenched his jaw, but stormed out of the penthouse.

****

Cameilla kept her breathing steady, her ears straining to hear through the thick wall of the warehouse. She was still sore from the accident, but her mind was sharp.

The two men who had taken were standing near the door talking in hushed voices.

"I just got off the phone with her," one of them said. "She wants us to keep her alive for now."

Cameilla heart raced. Her? It was definitely Daisy.

The other scoffed. "This wasn't part of the deal. We should have finished her off long ago. What if the authorities were able to trace her to us?"

Cameilla's heart pounded. Who the hell were they talking about? If not her, then who?

Then the men continued. "Charlotte knows better than to delay any further."

Charlotte.

Her pulse thundered in her ears. Then recognition hit her like a slap. Charlotte? Zayden's wife?