Chapter 272: Countdown

Chapter 272: Countdown
Elena's POV

I drummed my fingers nervously on my desk, a cold dread spreading through me. Donovan's disappearance felt deliberate, calculated.

"Teresa," I said, my voice tighter than I intended, "has anyone been asking about Donovan recently? Any unusual interest in his movements?"

Teresa shook her head. "No unusual inquiries. I only know he left the organization years ago. His background has always been... mysterious."

The realization struck me—after all this time, I knew almost nothing about the man who'd been my most trusted ally.

My phone vibrated violently against the desk. The message that appeared made my blood freeze:

[Danger. Leave England immediately. -D]

My heart stopped. Donovan never panics. If he's warning me to flee, we must be in immediate danger.

Teresa leaned forward, alarmed by my expression. "What is it?"

I showed her the screen, my hand trembling slightly. "Donovan wouldn't send this without grave reason."

"We need to move," Teresa said, her voice dropping to an urgent whisper. "No packing, no preparations. We go straight to the airport, buy tickets at the counter, and take whatever flight leaves first."

I nodded, already calculating escape routes. What could he have discovered that's so dangerous?

We grabbed only essentials and rushed toward the door—nearly colliding with Reginald in the hallway.

His eyes narrowed at our obvious haste. "Running somewhere important?"

I made a split-second decision, linking my arm through his. "Come with us. I'll explain in the car."

Reginald's arm wrapped around my shoulders protectively. "Lead the way."

We maintained forced normalcy through the lobby, though every security camera felt like an enemy eye tracking our movements.

In Reginald's car, I showed him Donovan's message.

His expression hardened. "Are you certain this is actually from him? It could be a trap."

"The number is encrypted. Only Donovan would have access," I insisted.

After a moment's consideration, Reginald offered, "My private jet is fueled and waiting. I was heading to Paris for business—it would be safer than commercial flights."

The tightness in my chest eased slightly. "That would be perfect."

As we approached the airfield, my phone rang. Elbert's name flashed on the screen, sending a jolt of apprehension through me.

"Elena," his voice dripped with malice, "sometimes knowing too much can be deadly."

My grip tightened on the phone. "What have you done?"

"That loyal watchdog of yours should have minded his own business," Elbert said with chilling casualness.

A video message appeared on my screen. My hands shook as I pressed play.

Donovan appeared, bound to a chair, face bruised and bloody. Despite his condition, his eyes burned with defiance as he spat, "You're asking for death, aren't you?"

Rage surged through me like electricity. They dared to touch him—to hurt someone under my protection. I wanted to tear them apart with my bare hands.

I immediately called Elbert back. "What do you want?" My voice was arctic.

"Your precious assistant was digging into matters that don't concern him," Elbert replied. "Quite resourceful—he discovered things even we thought were buried."

My mind raced. What had Donovan uncovered?

"One billion dollars," Elbert stated flatly. "Delivered by you, personally."

"Why would I risk myself for an employee?" I countered, though my mind was already calculating rescue scenarios.

"Then we'll continue our conversation with him," Elbert threatened. "Every hour you delay costs him another piece of himself." The line went dead.

I turned to Teresa and Reginald, playing the recorded conversation. "They have Donovan. They want money, but they really want me."

Reginald's face darkened. "This is clearly a trap. I have contacts who can help extract your assistant, but you need to be somewhere safe."

"Something doesn't add up," I said. "Why this sudden escalation?"

Two more videos arrived from Elbert. In the first, a masked man drove a knife into Donovan's arm. Blood poured from the wound, but he didn't make a sound—only his eyes revealed
his pain.

The second video showed Ryan walking through Huntington Estate, lingering meaningfully outside Grandfather Frank's study.

My blood turned to ice. This wasn't just about Donovan anymore—they were threatening my family. My grandfather. The choice was suddenly crystal clear.

"I'm not leaving," I declared, my voice steel.

Reginald gripped my arm. "They won't let either of you live after you deliver the money. You know that."

My breath caught as the full danger crystallized. "You're right."

"Come to my place property," Reginald suggested. "It's off-grid, untraceable. We can plan from there."

I nodded, mind already formulating countermeasures. "Let's go."

In the car, I sent Elbert a voice message, each word like ice: "If anything happens to Donovan or my grandfather, you won't see a single penny—and I'll ensure you never see daylight again."

I called Miley next, explaining the situation with clipped precision.

"Frank confronted Ryan and Elbert yesterday," she revealed, her voice tight with worry. "He discovered their plot against you and threatened to strip them of their shares and positions."

My pulse quickened. "And Ryan's reaction?"

"Violent," Miley confirmed. "He stormed out after threatening Frank. Elena... I've been reviewing their financial records. There are massive irregularities—money laundering, embezzlement."

The pieces snapped into place. "Donovan must have found proof of their crimes. That's why they took him."

"I'm secure at the hospital with guards," Miley assured me. "I've nearly completed gathering evidence about the car accident. Once we rescue Donovan, we can destroy Ryan and
Elbert completely."

After hanging up, I stared out the window at the darkening London skyline, my reflection hard and determined in the glass.

They thought they could use Donovan to control me. They were wrong. I would not be manipulated. I would not abandon him. And I would make them regret ever threatening what was mine.

Donovan had risked everything to protect me. Now I would risk everything to save him—and end this threat to my family once and for all.

Every second counted. And somewhere in this city, Donovan's life was ticking away with each passing moment.