Chapter 171
Chapter 171:
“He doesn’t respect you, does he p>
The voice was smooth, sympathetic.
It was Seraphina.
“How are you calling me?” Lydia sniffled. “I thought you were in prison p>
“I’m in the guest room,” Seraphina corrected effortlessly. “I saw what happened at the gate on the security feed. Embarrassing. But listen, Lydia… Liam is still obsessed with Skye. He’s not looking at you because he’s still chasing a ghost p>
Lydia’s blood ran cold. “Skye is on an island somewhere p>
“She’s coming back,” Seraphina lied. “Unless… unless something drastic happens. Something that forces Liam to realize who really needs protecting. Men love a damsel in distress, Lydia p>
“What do you mean p>
“A kidnapping,” Seraphina whispered. “Fake, of course. You disappear for a few hours. Send a scary note. Liam rushes to save you, realizes how much he cares, and bam—you’re the hero of his story. And I have the perfect people to help you stage it p>
Lydia bit her lip.
It sounded dangerous. It sounded desperate.
It sounded perfect.
“I don’t know p>
“Do you want to be left in the rain forever?” Seraphina asked softly. “Just go to the old warehouse district. My mother’s contacts will meet you. It’ll be like a movie p>
Lydia hesitated, looking at the closed gates of the manor. She glanced at her ruined shoes.
“Okay,” she whispered. “I’ll do it p>
Inside the manor, Seraphina lowered the burner phone. She smiled.
It was not a nice smile.
𝗦𝗵𝘢re 𝘺𝗼𝘂𝘳 𝖿𝖺𝘷𝘰r𝘪te𝘴 𝘧𝗋𝘰m 𝘣𝗲.𝗰𝗈𝗆
She texted Alice: “The bait is taken. Tell Beatrice the operation is a go. The ‘consultants’ she paid for should be ready at the docks. But make sure they know: Lydia is just the distraction. The real target is the one flying back tomorrow p>
The private jet touched down on the tarmac under a sky the color of a bruise. Rain lashed against the windows.
Skye Sterling unbuckled her seatbelt, her expression tight. The vacation had been cut short. A security breach at the Oracle’s server farm required her physical biometric authorization. It was annoying, but necessary.
“I don’t like this,” Alistair said, handing her a coat. “The timing is suspicious. Dominic Thorne has been too quiet p>
“Dominic is licking his wounds,” Skye said, checking her phone. “And Liam is busy playing nursemaid to his fake-pregnant girlfriend. We’re safe, Alistair. It’s just a server reset p>
They walked down the stairs to the waiting car. But as Skye reached for the door handle, her phone rang.
It was Liam.
She frowned. She hadn’t spoken to him since the restaurant.