Chapter 328 Hide Contraband

Chapter 328 Hide Contraband
Emma's POV

I jabbed a finger at his chest. "Using your parents' funeral for your dirty work? How low can you sink?"

Aiden remained unnervingly calm, his expression almost serene. I was certain Blake had been threatened by him—that was the only explanation for why Blake would turn against Rachel.

"I know Blake would never hurt Rachel unless you forced him to," I continued, my anger building. "What did you do to him? What did you threaten him with?"

Unable to contain my fury any longer, I slapped Aiden hard across the face, the sound echoing through the cemetery. A red mark bloomed on his cheek, but he didn't even flinch.

"Go on," he said quietly. "Keep cursing me. I deserve it."

I opened my mouth to call him a psychopath, a lunatic, but the words died on my lips. He didn't even deserve that much acknowledgment.

Aiden's eyes took on a faraway look. "Do you remember when you first came to our house, Emma? I was the big brother then—dignified, protective of my siblings."

I said nothing, watching his face carefully.

"I always gave you and Gavin the best of everything—the best food, the best toys, the best experiences," he continued. "My love and care for you far exceeded Gavin's. But when you chose someone, you chose him. You never even considered me."

His voice grew hoarse. "I still have scars on my arms and legs from hurting myself afterward. Physical pain was the only thing that could distract me from the heartbreak."

Aiden paced slowly, his eyes never leaving mine. "Then my parents hinted they wanted Gavin to manage the company. That's why I left. I withdrew completely."

His expression darkened. "I was lonely abroad, Emma. So lonely. I was targeted, almost lost my life to extortion schemes. I became a different person, and you all played a part in that transformation. If you had loved me even a little..."

The raw pain in his voice was disturbing, but I refused to let myself feel sympathy.

"When I heard you and Gavin had broken up, I couldn't sleep from excitement," Aiden admitted. "But when I returned and found you with Blake, that's when my hatred began."

He stepped closer. "I thought you were cheap, moving on from Gavin so quickly. Despite that, I still pursued you—disregarding my position, family objections, even risking my relationship with Gavin."

His eyes hardened. "You're the root cause of everyone's misery, Emma. You don't care about your good friend? Fine, I'll take her. You love Blake so much? I'll destroy him."

I took a deep breath. "If you hate me so much, take me instead of Rachel. Torture me if that satisfies you."

Aiden smiled sadly. "I could never hurt you, Emma. I couldn't bear it. I'll leave you here to torture yourself."

"I have no conscience," I replied coldly. "I'm cheap, just like you said. Why would I care about a friend?"

Aiden saw through my attempt immediately. "Emma, don't think speaking like that will make me spare your friend."

The distant sound of helicopter blades grew louder. I glanced at Rachel, surprised by her composure. She looked almost calm, as if heading to a pleasant excursion rather than being kidnapped.

As the helicopter approached, Aiden called out to Alaric, "Tell your men not to make any sudden moves, or your beloved woman will pay the price."

He emphasized "beloved woman" with particular venom.

Rachel's eyes widened. "What nonsense are you talking?"

Aiden laughed. "Women are supposed to have strong intuition, but it seems that's not always true."

Alaric remained silent, his face confirming Aiden's implication.

"Aiden, you're just a madman spouting gibberish," Rachel insisted, but her voice lacked conviction.

The helicopter landed, and Blake led Rachel aboard, with Aiden following close behind. As Aiden stepped into the helicopter, he turned back and waved casually, as if he had the world at his feet.

"Alaric, please save Rachel!" I cried, panic overwhelming me.

My mind raced with horrifying possibilities. If Alaric didn't comply with their demands, Rachel would be in danger—danger from the man I loved, the father of my child.

Gavin approached me gently. "Do you trust Blake?" he asked.

I noticed how unusually calm Gavin was, collected throughout this entire ordeal.

"I don't know," I answered honestly. "I'm so confused right now."

"Maybe he has other intentions," Gavin suggested softly.

FBI agents arrived at the scene, immediately requesting access to Alaric's helicopter tracking system.

Alaric's assistant nodded. "Everything you need is right here."

The FBI brought in sniffer dogs to examine the coffins. The dogs alerted at the coffins, and the FBI decided to open them. When they lifted the bottom panel, they discovered neatly sealed packages.

I was shocked. Had Aiden really used his parents' coffins to hide contraband?

Beside me, Gavin remained calm, hands pressed together in prayer.

The FBI sealed off the area for further investigation. Gavin requested they work quickly so his parents could be buried. The agents confirmed that only the bottom of the coffin contained illegal items—enough to "destroy the Reynolds family."

Before being taken for questioning, Gavin insisted on completing his parents' burial. Together, we each threw the first handful of dirt onto the coffins.

After the ceremony, Alaric left abruptly. I suspected he was going to rescue Rachel.

Remembering Blake's mention of an information collector in his urn, I flew directly to his hometown. At the burial site, I found the once-fresh mound now overgrown with weeds, looking abandoned.

Pregnant and weakened, I quickly tired as I began to dig.

"Ms. Garcia, what a surprise," came Ryan's drawling voice behind me, a cigarette dangling from his lips. "I never expected you'd take up grave robbing."

I straightened up, suddenly understanding. "The conflict between you and Aiden was all an act. From you being roughed up to Aiden getting punched—it was all a show."

Ryan smirked. "Quite the misdirection, wasn't it?"

"Gavin will be your scapegoat, won't he?" I accused. "Despite Aiden's claims about his grievances, he wouldn't really destroy Gavin."

Ryan approached me. "If we find any treasures here, let's split them fifty-fifty."

"Not a chance," I refused, standing protectively over the burial site.

Without warning, Ryan lifted me into his arms. I struggled as his men began digging where I had started.