Chapter 315 Protection Plans

Chapter 315 Protection Plans

Emma's POV

My phone rang just as I stepped out of the hospital. Blake's name flashed on the screen, and I quickly answered.

"Hey, what's up?" I asked, moving away from the entrance doors.

"Emmy, Aiden knows," Blake's voice was tense. "He's figured out who I am and he's looking for the evidence I've collected."

My heart skipped a beat. "How did he find out?"

"It doesn't matter," Blake cut me off. "What matters is he might come after you. He'll figure out you're keeping things for me."

"You think so?" I gripped my phone tighter.

"He's smart, Emmy. He'll definitely think you have my evidence."

I straightened my shoulders, scanning the parking lot instinctively. "But they're not necessarily going to be able to push me around."

There was a brief silence on the other end. "Just be careful, Emmy."

As I hung up, I realized how much I'd changed in recent months. I was no longer the girl who just enjoyed being protected and pampered by the Reynolds family. Now I was ready to put myself on the line for Blake, to protect him the way he'd protected me.

When I returned to the hospital later that evening to check on Jessica, I wasn't surprised to find Aiden waiting inside the elevator, his reflection multiplied in the mirrored walls.

"Emma," he greeted me, his smile not reaching his eyes. "I've been looking for you."

"Aiden," I nodded coolly.

"I want to clarify something," he said as the doors closed. "Parker's accident wasn't my doing."

I raised an eyebrow. "Really?"

"Ryan was using others to do his dirty work," he said with a knowing look. "He's always been the impulsive one."

The elevator hummed between floors as Aiden's expression hardened.

"I need Blake's evidence, Emma."

I blinked innocently. "What evidence?"

"Don't play dumb," Aiden's voice dropped. "You know exactly what I'm talking about. The files, the recordings—everything he's collected."

"I really don't know what you mean," I insisted, keeping my voice steady despite my racing heart.

Aiden moved closer. "You don't want to lose Blake again, do you?"

The threat hung in the air between us. I met his gaze steadily, refusing to show fear.

"Fine," he snapped when I didn't respond. "Have it your way."

As the doors opened, Aiden stepped out. "You'd better take care of yourself."

I watched him walk away, noting how he'd dropped all pretense of being the caring, gentle Aiden I thought I knew. He was preparing for war, and so was I.

Back at my apartment, I was scrolling through my phone when a headline caught my eye: "Annie Blackwell Missing, Billionaire Offers Reward for Daughter's Return."

I immediately called Victoria.

"What happened?" I asked when she answered.

"Annie's gone," Victoria's voice trembled. "She disappeared at the mall yesterday. Security footage shows her following someone who looked like you."

"Like me?" My stomach twisted. "Why would she follow someone who looks like me?"

"I don't know!" Victoria cried. "The woman had similar hair and build. Annie called out and ran after her. Then they both disappeared from camera view."

I tried to process this information. "Why would Annie follow someone just because they resembled me?"

"Because she likes you!" Victoria's voice broke. "That's my daughter we're talking about!"

After calming Victoria down and promising to help however I could, I visited Blake in the hospital the next day.

"Did you see the news about Annie?" I asked, closing the door to his room behind me.

"Yes," Blake sounded completely calm. "I arranged it."

"What?" I nearly dropped my coffee.

"The police will be questioning you soon," Blake explained. "This is for your protection."

"Protection? How is being a suspect in a kidnapping protective?"

"Because they'll be watching you," Blake said. "And only when you're being watched by the police will you be truly safe from Aiden."

"Wait," I tried to understand. "So Annie isn't really missing?"

"She's with her aunt. Victoria helped stage it. We needed someone who looked like you to be seen with Annie."

"So Victoria is part of this?" I couldn't believe it.

"She knew what was at stake," Blake said softly. "This time, I'm going to protect you first."

I was still processing this when my office door burst open the following afternoon. Ryan Blackwell stood there, his expression tense.

"Where is she?" he demanded, not bothering with a greeting.

"Hello to you too," I said, leaning back in my chair.

"Annie," he clarified. "If you have her, name your price."

I studied his face. "Why are you so desperate to find her?"

"That's none of your business."

"It is if you're accusing me of taking her."

Ryan ran a hand through his hair. "My mother is ill. She's asking for Annie."

That wasn't what I expected. "Your mother knows about Annie?"

"Of course she does," Ryan snapped. "Are you the one setting this up? Is this your game?"

I crossed my arms. "No, it's not my game."

He started toward the door, then paused. "You didn't ask if I care about Annie."

"Do you?" I asked quietly.

Ryan's face softened unexpectedly. "The kid's actually pretty adorable."

As he left, I caught a glimpse of something I'd never seen in Ryan before—genuine affection. It seemed even the most hardened hearts could be touched by family bonds.