Chapter 0653
After seeing Maximus leave the Palmer offices, Leonardo made his way to his secluded mansion–a place that few even knew existed. Confident in his tight security and his men guarding every corner of the estate, Leonardo felt a rare sense of calm.
As he walked leisurely down the long hallways, he headed straight for the room where Serenity was being held. She had been stripped to her underwear, her shoes removed, leaving her vulnerable and desperate. Leonardo knew that fear was the best weapon to control someone, especially women, and he reveled in the power it gave him.
But as he approached her room, he heard shouting coming from the front gardens. Looking out, he spotted at least a dozen men dressed in black storming; the mansion. One of his security guards grabbed him by the arm and urgently pulled him in the opposite direction from Serenity’s room.
“NOR
Bring the girl with me!” Leonardo barked, his eyes flashing with fury.
“Sorry, sir, but your safety comes first. Mr. Frank Levett ordered us to protect you above all else. You’ll have to leave her for now. There’ll be time to recover her later.”
“No! Bring her! That’s a damn order!”
Apologies, sir, but orders are orders,” the guard said firmly.
“You’re all incompetent! This is a complete disaster because of your failures! You’re supposed to protect me and follow my commands!”
“Our priority is your safety, as instructed by Mr. Frank.”
Outside, the mansion was in turmoil. The staff, already shaken from a similar incident months ago, scrambled for cover as Alden and his men infiltrated the estate. Leonardo’s plan to keep Serenity captive had unraveled spectacularly. His obsession with her had grown since he’d seen her again–a fixation he had concealed even from his estranged son, Lucius. With no legitimate heir left to claim, Leonardo was grasping at whatever power he could hold onto.
As Leonardo was ushered out of the mansion, Alden and his team swept through the estate, searching every room. The servants cowered in fear while Alden barked orders.
“Damn it! He escaped! That bastard Leonardo got away! Find my cousins and the Bartz boy!”
Alden kept his face covered with a balaclava, his eyes scanning the hallways. His men split up, methodically searching every corner of the property. After several tense minutes, one of them found Maurice and John huddled in a room.
But Serenity was still missing
Alden tread cautiously down a dim corridor until he heard faint cries for help. He moved swiftly toward the sound, -carefully pushing open a door. What he saw made his heartache.
Serenity was sitting on the floor, semi–naked, her body trembling in fear. Her vulnerability was palpable. Without hesitation, Alden grabbed a bedsheet and draped it around her.
“Shh… It’s okay. It’s okay. You’re safe now,” Alden reassured her as she flinched at his touch.
“Alden? Is it you?” she whispered, her voice shaking.
“Yes, sweetheart, it’s me. You’re safe now. Let’s get you out of here.”
Chapter 0653
Chapter 0653
After seeing Maximus leave the Palmer offices, Leonardo made his way to his secluded mansion–a place that few even knew existed. Confident in his tight security and his men guarding every corner of the estate, Leonardo felt a rare sense of calm.
As he walked leisurely down the long hallways, he headed straight for the room where Serenity was being held. She had been stripped to her underwear, her shoes removed, leaving her vulnerable and desperate. Leonardo knew that fear was the best weapon to control someone, especially women, and he reveled in the power it gave him.
But as he approached her room, he heard shouting coming from the front gardens. Looking out, he spotted at least a dozen men dressed in black storming the mansion. One of his security guards grabbed him by the arm and urgently pulled him in the opposite direction from Serenity’s room.
“NO! Bring the girl with me!” Leonardo barked, his eyes flashing with fury.
“Sorry, sir, but your safety comes first. Mr. Frank Levett ordered us to protect you above all else. You’ll have to leave her for now. There’ll be time to recover her later.”
“No! Bring her! That’s a damn order!”
Apologies, sir, but orders are orders,” the guard said firmly.
“You’re all incompetent! This is a complete disaster because of your failures! You’re supposed to protect me and follow my commands!”
“Our priority is your safety, as instructed by Mr. Frank.”
Outside, the mansion was in turmoil. The staff, already shaken from a similar incident months ago, scrambled for cover as Alden and his men infiltrated the estate. Leonardo’s plan to keep Serenity captive had unraveled spectacularly. His obsession with her had grown since he’d seen her again–a fixation he had concealed even from his estranged son, Lucius. With no legitimate heir left to claim, Leonardo was grasping at whatever power he could hold onto.
As Leonardo was ushered out of the mansion, Alden and his team swept through the estate, searching every room. The servants cowered in fear while Alden barked orders.
“Damn it! He escaped! That bastard Leonardo got away! Find my cousins and the Bartz boy!”
Alden kept his face covered with a balaclava, his eyes scanning the hallways. His men split up, methodically searching every corner of the property. After several tense minutes, one of them found Maurice and John huddled in a room.
But Serenity was still missing.
Alden tread cautiously down a dim corridor until he heard faint cries for help. He moved swiftly toward the sound, carefully pushing open a door. What he saw made his heart ache.
Serenity was sitting on the floor, semi–naked, her body trembling in fear. Her vulnerability was palpable. Without hesitation, Alden grabbed a bedsheet and draped it around her.
“Shh… It’s okay. It’s okay. You’re safe now,” Alden reassured her as she flinched at his touch.
“Alden? Is it you?” she whispered, her voice shaking
“Yes, sweetheart, it’s me. You’re safe now. Let’s get you out of here.”
Chapter 0653
He gently wrapped the sheet tighter around her and lifted her into his arms. Serenity didn’t resist her strength was gone.
Alden carried her carefully to the waiting vehicle where the other children were already being transported to their respective families.
Once inside, Alden sat down with Serenity cradled in his lap. As he removed the blindfold from her eyes, she finally recognized him. Overwhelmed, she broke into tears, burying her face in his chest.
“Shh… It’s over now. Your brothers are safe, and they’re on their way home,” Alden murmured, stroking her hair.
“L… I don’t know what to say… I don’t know what happened to me,” Serenity stammered, her voice barely audible.
“You don’t have to say anything. My father told me what was happening, so I flew back. The important thing now is that you’re okay. Understand?”
Her hands shook uncontrollably. Alden, noticing her trembling, pulled her closer, wrapping his arms tightly around her. Serenity let herself sink into his embrace, her ears slowly subsiding as the scent of his familiar cologne grounded her.
[At Frank Levett Jr.’s Residence]
“Let me go! Let me go! Do you think my orders mean nothing? You’re all idiots!” Leonardo shouted as he was forced into Frank Levett Jr’s estate.
“Leonardo, Leonardo, Leonardo… Such outbursts aren’t going to help you,” Frank Jr. said coolly as he entered the room. “Don’t forget, we’re in this together. And if I see fit, can burn this whole damn plan to the ground.”
“Frank! Your men didn’t follow my instructions, and they ruined everything I had planned!”
