10
Meanwhile, time rewound to the day the ransom was supposed to be delivered.
The icy seawater didn’t claim me–instead, it made me more alert.
I swam with all my strength toward the faint glow piercing the darkness.
A modest, unremarkable boat arrived on cue, cutting through the waves and stopping at the designated rendezvous.
The hatch opened, and a broad–shouldered man emerged against the light, radiating an intimidating presence.
It was none other than the crime lord, Lucas Zane.
I wiped the seawater from my face, curled the corners of my lips, and tried to stay composed, though my voice trembled slightly from the cold and exhaustion:
“Tough economy these days–seems beneath you to show up personally for a measly hundred million deal.”
He chuckled, and one of his men handed me a dry blanket and fresh clothes.
“No need to be polite, Elena,” he said in a low, magnetic voice laced with quiet authority.
He came closer, eyeing me critically like I was merchandise on display: “I don’t care about the hundred million.”
Lucas’s gaze lingered, his breath warm as it brushed past my ear. “Elena, ever thought of repaying me another way? Perhaps… as my canary?”
I swept my wet hair back and gave a cold smile. “Mr. Zane must be joking.”
“What I offer isn’t limited to the pleasure of a warm bed.”
I paused, then raised my voice slightly: “I believe Mr. Zane isn’t a man who would trade a kingdom for mere beauty.”
A glint of amusement flickered in Lucas’s eyes as he stepped in, boxing me in between his body and the cabin wall. “Oh? Enlighten me.”
The chill of the steel wall pressed into my back as my heart pounded, though I kept my expression steady.
I knew I had only leapt from the tiger’s den into the wolf’s lair.
But if I dared to court the tiger, I’d already come armed with bargaining chips.
From inside my jacket, I produced a voice recorder and a waterproof packet of documents- evidence of Caleb’s illicit dealings.
“Mr. Zane, review these. Then decide–do you want a canary, or a partner who can help you devour the Turner family’s fortune?”
Lucas raised an eyebrow, took the files, and flipped through them.
His teasing expression slowly faded into seriousness, then shifted into a flicker of concealed excitement.
“Interesting.” He tapped the page with a knuckle. “Didn’t expect Elena to look delicate yet think so sharply.”
After Being Shamed, My Lover Broke Our Engagement
3:41 pm DDDD
Relief washed through me. “Caleb is unraveling. Now’s our perfect chance to strike.”
Lucas set the papers aside, fingers drumming a low rhythm on the tabletop.
“What’s the plan?”
“Hit him while he’s down.”
We staged a video of my supposed execution by crocodile.
Lucas’s tech team was top–notch–the fabricated footage was lifelike, from the terror in my expression to the blood on my throat.
Using hidden cameras, we watched Caleb spiral into chaos at the church.
His once handsome face contorted with grief and guilt as he screamed my name.
But I felt no satisfaction–only a strange, hollow numbness.
On screen, Caleb tore off in his car, racing to the supposed site of the kidnapping.
I looked away from the monitor and turned to Lucas. “Now, Mr. Zane, it’s time to ‘collect‘ Caleb’s shipment at the docks.”
That cargo was worth a fortune–his latest investment, and the leverage he needed to pass a critical checkpoint.
Lucas arched a brow, a glimmer of admiration in his eyes.
“All right,” he said in a gravelly tone, then swiftly issued commands to his crew.
This hit wouldn’t just wound Caleb–it would yield a handsome profit for Lucas, while sealing the foundation of our alliance.
And for Caleb… this was only the beginning of the show.
