Chapter 155 Daddy Is Coming

Chapter 155 Daddy Is Coming
Adrian's POV

My phone had not stopped ringing since morning. Every few minutes, Dylan called with another report.

Another account frozen.

Another shipment intercepted.

Another board member resigning.

Everything was finally working exactly the way I planned. I may not be happiest but I feel good knowing that somewhere, Camille is loosing her patience.

It's a good feeling that I get to put her in her place. Before now, she would have thought that it's impossible for anyone to touch her but now, she knows how to feels to be helpless.

I close my eyes as the cool morning breeze graze me skin as I sit in the garden. Julius and other of my men keep patrolling the premises.

The only difference is that the compound has become exceptionally quiet. It's so unlike three months ago when Hazel's cute laughter echoed through the walls and when the aroma of Darcy's cooking filled the air.

My phone vibrated. Unknown number. Very few people have this line.

My finger lingers on the decline icon. For a second, I almost ignored it. But when I take a closer look at the number, it looks familiar.

The number isn't saved on my phone but I know who it belongs to.

My forehead creases into a slight frown. Why is she calling? Did something happen? My heartbeat quickens.

Then something inside me told me to answer. We agreed not to reach out to the other unless there's an emergency.

"Hello?" I say with a calm voice even though my nails are digging into my flesh.

I don't hear any voice. Only heavy breathing fills my ears. My heartbeat slowly increased.

"Why are you calling now? What's going on?" I question.

Her shaky voice answers. "Mr... Mr Ashford..."

I freeze immediately. I stand up and swallow the lump in my throat. My stomach rues into knots.

Something is amiss.

This is same woman who had secretly helping me by keeping Hazel safe, if she's in danger that simply means that Hazel's life is also at risk.

Was I been too careless by going all out on Camille? Has she discovered that I already know her secret? or that if I'm behind everything?

"Talk to me Georgia. What happened? Where's Hazel? Is she okay?" I bombard her with questions.

She started crying. "I... I tried... but she..."

My breath catches in my throat. She? Who exactly is she referring to? Hazel or Camille?

"Damn it woman! Talk to me and stop beating around the bush?"

"Hazel..."

The mention of my daughter's name made my chest tighten painfully. My lips quiver but I don't want to gtw ahead of myself. I shouldn't wish the worst upon my child.

I clutch onto the phone tightly. "What happened to Hazel?"

"She's sick..." She admits.

Everything around me disappeared. "What do you mean she's sick?"

Georgia adds. "High fever... she's struggling to breathe... she keeps calling your name..."

I grabbed the edge of the desk. My entire body became cold. "What did Camille do?"

"I don't know..." She cried harder. "I've been trying to lower the fever... I don't have enough medicine anymore..."

My breathing became uneven. "Send me your location." I command as I head inside to grab my car keys.

I can't tolerate Camille's madness any longer.

"I can't..." She whispers.

I stop dead on my tracks immediately. "What? Why?"

"They monitor everything..."

My pulse quickened.

Then, a loud crash echoed from the other side.

The nanny gasped. Through the phone I hear many footsteps marching with urgency.

"What was that?"

No answer.

"Georgia!"

"My... my God..." Her breathing became faster. "They're pouring petrol..."

My heart stopped. "What?"

"They're burning the house..." She says with a shaky voice. I can sense her panic and I'm no different from her.

Everything inside me froze. For one second, I couldn't breathe. "What did you just say?"

"They're setting the house on fire." Her voice broke. "They want us dead."

With that the calls ends and my hand falls to my side. I stagger as I shut my eyes trying to shake off the the dizziness.

When my phone dings again, I quickly check who it is. Time stills and for the first time since this who problem started, I went numb.

Maybe it's because I'm feeling so many things but the most one is uncertainty.

Camille Carlton displays on the screen.

She knows.

Camile knows that I'm behind everything.

It's no point retreating. It's was bound to come to this. It's just about a matter of time.

I click on voice recording.

"My dear lovely husband, you've become better at keeping secrets and pretending. You've done quite some damage, however we will discuss more when you collect Hazel's ashes."

My fingers trembled violently from fear and anger. I rushed toward the office door.

"Dylan!"

My voice echoed through the hallway.

"Reynolds!"

Everyone immediately rushed inside.

"What happened?"

"Camille is about to kill Hazel. She's burning the house."

Silence.

Nobody moved. Nobody breathed. "The nanny just called me."

I was already dialing every emergency number I knew. "Trace this number!"

Dylan immediately connected his laptop. "I'm trying."

"It's not enough. Hurry!" I roar.

Every second felt like a lifetime. Georgia called again and I answered the call immediately.

On the other side of the phone, she coughed violently. "Mr Ashford... don't mind losing my life..."

She coughed again. "...but you have to get here before Hazel dies."

"You don't have to explain."

"I'll come. I promise."

She cried softly. "I don't think..."

She couldn't finish. A loud explosion echoed. Then screaming. The line became distorted.

"Georgia!"

She cried.

"I'll do everything I can to keep your child safe... becauseI don't want my family to perish..."

My throat tightened. "They won't..I promise. I'll save all of you."

For the first time, I realized promises sounded so empty.

Georgia suddenly screamed. "Hazel!"

My heart nearly stopped. "Hazel!"

I could hear my daughter crying weakly. Even through the chaos. I recognized that cry. My baby. My Hazel.

I slammed my fist against the wall. "Let's move!" I order.

Dylan's fingers flew across the keyboard.

Another scream echoed.

Then...

A voice.

Cold.

Calm.

Terrifying.

"So..."

Everything went silent inside me.

Camille.

Even after all these weeks...

I recognized her voice instantly.

"So you called Adrian. You're the little lying betrayer?"

The nanny sobbed.

"I..."

A loud slap echoed. I shut my eyes. My nails dug deeply into my palm. Blood trickled down my fingers.

Camille laughed.

"I knew someone was feeding him information."

Her footsteps echoed slowly. Each step is calm and measured.

Like death itself.

"So it was you."

The nanny cried. "My children..."

Camille chuckled. "You still think about them?" She laughed again.."I admire mothers."

She paused. "They're willing to betray anyone."

Another pause.

"...Except their children."

Silence.

Then...

Hazel cried again.

Weakly.

Camille's footsteps stopped.

I imagined her standing beside the crib. Looking down and watching.

"This little girl is still alive."

My breathing became shallow.

She laughed quietly. "You really do have your father's stubbornness."

I clenched my jaw so tightly pain shot through my skull. Camille continues again.

Every word stabbed into my chest.."It's better you die. Because if you survive, I won't stop till you're dead."

"Camille! Don't you dare!" I screamed into the phone.

Fire.

Then...

Nothing.

The call disconnected.

For a few seconds...

Nobody inside my living room dares to speak. Nobody even breathed.

Then Dylan looked up.

"I got it."

I turned so fast my chair crashed onto the floor. "Where?"

He pointed at the blinking location. "It matches one of the abandoned estates outside Baltimore."

I was already moving.

"Reynolds."

"Gather everyone."

"No police."

"No delays."

"No negotiations."

Reynolds nodded immediately.

Dylan grabbed his keys.

Within seconds...

The entire building became chaotic. Men loaded weapons. SUVs started. Engines roared.

I walked toward the elevator. Every step felt heavier than the last. Every heartbeat repeated only one sentence.

Hazel my child.

Hold on.

Daddy is coming.