Chapter 72 The Paper He Almost Ignored
Julian remembered vividly now. The folded paper that had mysteriously appeared in his pocket when he got home on his wedding day.
He had opened it absentmindedly then.
It had an address, and a phone number.
Nothing else.
At the time, it had felt like a silent provocation.
Now, it felt like a lead.
His grip tightened on the steering wheel as realization surged through him. It was Keith who must have stylishly inserted the paper into his pocket. He hadn’t thrown it away.
Without wasting another second, he slammed his foot on the accelerator and drove straight home, the engine roaring louder than usual. Behind him, Vincent followed closely in his own car, sensing the urgency even without explanation.
Julian barely registered the traffic lights or the roads.
His palms were damp.
He was sweating.
That alone irritated him.
He had not felt this kind of fear in years.
Not even when his life had been on the line.
But the thought that something irreversible might have already happened to her…knowing how animalistic Keith could get…
His jaw clenched.
The car screeched into the driveway.
He didn’t even wait for the engine to fully settle before stepping out and rushing inside, his steps quick, controlled, yet undeniably rushed. Vincent’s car pulled up seconds later behind his, but Julian was already halfway up the stairs.
He entered his room and went straight to the drawer.
He opened and found it.
The folded paper.
His fingers closed around it immediately, and he turned without delay, heading back downstairs.
The moment he reached the entrance, Joye appeared.
Her face was pale, her eyes filled with thick concern. “Sir… has Miss Seraphina been found?”
Julian stopped mid-step.
His gaze shifted to her slowly. “How do you know she’s missing?”
Joye’s heart skipped violently.
She realized her mistake instantly.
“I—” she stammered, forcing her expression into nervous confusion. “Sir Vincent said it earlier. He… he came to check on you, and when he didn’t see you, he warned me not to allow anyone in and stated why. That was how I got to know.
The lie came out rushed but structured enough.
Julian stared at her for a brief second.
But he did not have the time to dissect it.
“Listen carefully,” he said instead, his tone turning firm. “Do not let anyone in. At all. Every door should be locked.”
Joye nodded quickly. “Yes, sir.”
Julian did not say another word.
He stepped out immediately.
Vincent was already waiting outside. Without hesitation, Vincent locked his own car and entered Julian’s vehicle after it was parked properly in the lot.
The engine started again.
Julian unfolded the paper and dialed the number.
The line rang once.
Twice.
Then—
“Keith?” Julian’s voice was low and anticipating as he asked.
A soft laugh echoed through the phone.
“I thought you would never call.” Keith said over the phone.
Julian’s eyes darkened.
“Are you ready to give me the kid back now?” Keith continued, his voice teasing and serious at the same time.
Julian’s grip on the phone tightened.
“How about you tell me where my wife is right now… and we discuss this personally.”
There was a brief pause on the other end.
“Oh?” Keith hummed. “As much as I am capable of capturing your wife, It’s a displeasure that I didn’t do that.”
Julian’s patience snapped. “Then you will never have the kid.”
Keith chuckled again, almost amused. “You must have so many enemies, Julian. Unfortunately, I am not interested in taking your wife. I go for what I want directly when I’m ready.”
Julian’s composure cracked.
“Do not make me a mad man,” he snapped over the phone. “Be fucking honest!”
Beside him, Vincent’s eyes flicked toward him in surprise.
Julian raising his voice…All because of a woman…
That was new.
Keith’s tone remained disturbingly calm. “Don’t be rude, boy. I had always admired your calm. We don’t want to change that now, do we?”
Julian’s anger intensified, but his voice dropped deadly low now. “Do you have Seraphina or not?”
Keith sighed like he was bored over the phone. “You should be looking elsewhere before they kill your wife. I did not take her.”
And the call ended.
Dead silence filled the car.
Vincent turned to him. “What’s the update?”
Julian did not respond immediately.
His hand slowly curled into a fist.
Then he slammed it hard against the steering wheel.
“Fuck!”
Vincent jolted slightly at the sudden outburst before steadying himself. “It’s okay,” he said quickly. “We can still find her.”
Julian inhaled sharply, his voice turning lower now. “Keith doesn’t have her.”
And just like that, amidst the chaotic guesses going on in his mind- Another possibility slid in.
A cold chill traced down his spine, because this time around…It felt right.
Color drained subtly from his face.
—
Far away in Nevada, Seraphina woke up struggling. Her vision was completely covered.
Darkness pressed against her eyes, and her wrists burned from the tight restraints binding them behind her back. She wriggled instinctively, her breathing uneven as panic clawed up her chest.
The air felt heavier and harder to pull in.
Suddenly, the fold wrapped around her mouth was yanked off. The one on her eyes remained.
She sucked in a sharp breath immediately, her lungs expanding desperately as she tried to steady herself.
Her mind raced.
The image of the chauffeur that was driving her earlier surfaced in her head. Then the sudden gunshot.
The blood.
Her heart rate spiked violently.
Her fearful instinct screamed at her to shout.
But her logical instinct forced her to stay quiet.
Then she heard a man’s voice.
“The Late Richard’s golden daughter is finally awake.” The voice sounded almost entertained.
Seraphina flinched. That tone was familiar. Even though it wasn’t one she had heard often, but it was one she had heard before.
And she was good with recognizing voices. Very good.
The man continued, mockery lacing every word. “Should I apologize? I could tell from the way you looked sinfully gorgeous in that dress that you were going on a date with Julian.”
A soft chuckle followed.
“But unfortunately,” he added, “I spoiled your night.”
Seraphina swallowed, forcing steadiness into her voice. “Who are you?”
The man snorted.
“You have no business knowing who I am,” he replied, voice cold. “Because whether you know or not… you are going to die.”
A cold chill ran down her spine.
Still, she kept her composure.
Mustering courage, she spoke again, her voice firmer this time. “Whoever you are… you should pray Julian never finds you.”
There was suddenly a pause.
Then the man clicked his tongue slowly. “Tsk, tsk.”
“Well,” he said, almost thoughtfully, “Julian is smart. So it is only a matter of time before he reached out to me.”
Before she could process that statement,
The cloth covering her head was suddenly snatched away.
Bright ceiling lights flooded her vision.
Her eyes squinted painfully as they adjusted. And then- hisface became clear.
Her lips parted as recognition hit her instantly.
“It’s… it’s you.”
Her brows knitted as memories from weeks ago rushed in.
His name surfaced in her head. And she pronunced it out as remembered. “Balto.”
He spreaded his arms theatrically, a confident grin settling on his face. “The one and only.”
Seraphina stared at him in disbelief. “I thought… you and Julian had settled whatever was between you.”
Balto’s gaze roamed over her slowly, calculating her demeanor and eyeing her frame. She wished she could spit on his face.
“We never settled,” he said, voice leveled. “Julian didn’t play fair.”
He tilted his head slightly.
“And now,” he continued, voice turning darker, “I will simply wait for him to come.”
A cold smile curved his lips.
“This time around, it’s my turn not to play fair with him. He had the chance to honor me, but he played me instead.”
His eyes hardened.
“And now…I will take everything away from him.” He finished quietly. Seraphina shivered.
Just then, Balto’s phone beeped.
The screen lit up and Julian’s name displayed clearly on it.
Balto glanced at it and let his lips spread into a satisfying grin.
“Right on time. Julian Thorne is never a bastard.” he muttered, intensifying Seraphina’s fear.
He let his taunting gaze meet hers then said, “I’m so going to have fun tonight.” Then he picked up the call.