Chapter 247: Hunting Hunter

By late afternoon, the Benson mansion was overflowing with emotion once again.

The family doctor had returned with the second laboratory report.

This time, there was no uncertainty.

No possibility of a mix-up.

He smiled as he handed the report to Lucas. "Congratulations. The second test confirms it. You are indeed pregnant."

For a heartbeat… The room was completely silent. Then it erupted.

Sally let out a joyful cry and immediately pulled Lucas into a careful hug.

"Oh, my precious boy! I finally have a grandbaby coming!"

Emily squealed loudly enough to make everyone laugh.

Annie clapped excitedly before wrapping both Alex and Lucas in a hug.

Jason shook his head with a grin.

"I've never seen this family this happy."

Alex, however, didn't say a word.

He simply stared at the report in Lucas's trembling hands. His eyes slowly filled with tears.

Lucas looked up. "Alex..."

Alex crossed the room and gently cupped Lucas's face. His voice barely came out.

"It's real baby."

Lucas nodded, tears glistening in his own eyes. "It's real."

Alex kissed him with overwhelming tenderness before resting a hand over Lucas's abdomen.

"Our little miracle."

Lucas placed his own hand over Alex's.

"Our baby."

The family quietly watched them, each smiling through happy tears.

Hours later… The celebration gave way to business.

Alex sat inside a conference room at police headquarters with two senior investigators.

Several files lay open across the table. One officer adjusted his glasses.

"So you're saying Larissa has repeatedly harassed you in the past?"

Alex nodded.

"Long before James kidnapped Lucas."

He calmly explained every incident. The anonymous threats. The unwanted messages. The relentless attempts to interfere in his life.

Then he described everything revealed in the prison recording.

"...and she admitted she wanted Hunter's phone back. So she could continue operating under that identity."

The officers exchanged thoughtful looks. One detective leaned forward.

"She also stated she intended to make your life miserable. She also expressed obsessive feelings toward you."

Alex nodded once. "Exactly."

The lead investigator folded his hands.

"So...You wish to authorize the controlled return of the phone."

"Yes."

The detective studied him carefully.

"You understand the risks?"

"I do."

Alex answered without hesitation.

"But if she's willing to expose herself, I'd rather let her."

After a long silence, the detective nodded. You have our approval. The phone had been decoded. So it'll be closely monitored. The texts or calls with the phone will remain under surveillance. The moment she uses it...We move."

Alex stood and shook the detective's hand.

"Thank you."

That evening...Alex stepped outside the station and immediately dialed Derby.

She answered after the second ring.

"What now, Alex?"

"I need your help."

Derby's tone immediately changed.

"What happened?"

Alex quickly explained everything.

Larissa's visit to James. The Hunter identity. The missing phone. Her obsession. Her intention to continue manipulating events.

Silence followed.

Then Derby spoke quietly. “Are you saying she had a hand in Lucas's kidnappings?”

“She is a suspect based on connection with Hunter’s phone.” Alex explained.

"Damn it, I knew something wasn't right."

Alex frowned.

"You suspected her too?"

"I did."

Derby sighed heavily. "But I never imagined it was this bad."

Alex looked toward the evening sky. "There's something else."

"What?"

"Don't tell Larissa that Lucas has been rescued."

Derby frowned. "Why?"

"If she still believes he's missing..."

"She'll make mistakes, and we need those mistakes."

Derby thought for several seconds.

Finally… "You have my word. I won't tell her."

Alex smiled faintly. "Thank you."

She surprised him with her next words. "Alex..."

He waited.

“When is Lucas coming home?”

Alex wasn’t expecting that so he responded calmly. “Lucas is still a bit weak. Maybe you should call him on the phone.”

"Okay,  whatever happens, protect Lucas, he is a good guy."

There was genuine concern in her voice.

Alex nodded instinctively, even though she couldn't see him. "I will.

I always will."

The call ended.

Derby remained seated in her hotel room long after the call with Alex had ended.

The room was silent. Only the ticking of the wall clock broke the stillness. Her phone rested in her hand, but her grip around it tightened with every passing second.

She replayed Alex's words over and over.

Larissa is Hunter. The police know. Don't tell her Lucas has been rescued.

"Damn..." she muttered, dragging a hand through her hair. Her chest felt heavy.

"So... they finally found out."

She stared blankly at the dark screen of her phone.

"Larissa..." Her voice was barely a whisper. "We're in trouble."

She slowly leaned back against the chair.

Alex knew. Maybe not everything, but enough. Enough to connect Larissa to Hunter. Enough to set a trap.

A bitter laugh escaped her lips. "I should've seen this coming."

She closed her eyes. For months, she'd convinced herself they were fighting for justice. That making Alex suffer would somehow balance the scales. That revenge would ease the pain of losing her mother.

But now...What has all our plans and actions achieved? Nothing.

James had overstepped his boundary by kidnapping Lucas, and had been sent to prison.

Zenith had been arrested too.

Larissa was becoming more reckless by the day.

And Lucas…the one person who had shown her genuine gentleness, had nearly lost his life three times.

Derby lowered her head into her hands. "What am I doing?" She whispered to herself. "This isn't bringing Mom back."

Tears gathered in her eyes. "No amount of revenge will."

She remembered her mother's smile in the picture of her she had.

The warmth of it. The little stories she heard as a child about how good she was.

Her mother had never been portrayed as a woman who celebrated hatred. If she could see her now… Would she be happy with the kind of daughter she'd become?

A tear rolled silently down Derby's cheek. "I'm tired, Mom. So tired."

She took a shaky breath.

"It's time to let this go."

She wiped her eyes and sat upright. "I won't follow Larissa down this path anymore."

Her expression hardened with resolve. "I have to warn her."

She grabbed her phone and scrolled to Larissa's number. Her thumb hovered over the call button.

But she paused, “How do I fucking tell her this?”

She thought and practiced… "Whatever obsession you have with Alex, you need to let it die."

She swallowed hard.

"And you must never touch Hunter's phone again. If you do, they'll arrest you."

She nodded to herself and pressed the call button.

As the phone rang, Derby silently prayed that, for once, Larissa would listen before it was too late.

The phone kept buzzing but Larissa wasn't picking up. Derby decided to call back later and moved back to her business for the day.

Night fell.

Across the city, the operation quietly moved into its final phase.

The ladies bar James mentioned had been selected. The manager had already been briefed. Every bartender knew their role.

Plainclothes officers occupied scattered tables, blending in with the regular customers.

Tiny surveillance cameras had been positioned throughout the building.

Outside, unmarked police vehicles waited in the shadows. Inside a private room behind the bar...Thomas gave one last briefing.

"The moment Larissa asks for Zee, our man takes over."

Dan adjusted the hidden earpiece worn by the undercover officer chosen to impersonate Zenith.

"You've memorized the profile?"

The officer nodded. "Yes, every detail."

Information came in that Larissa has left the house and was heading towards the Ladies bar.

“Alert guys, she is on her way.”