Find me in your labyrinth (Stella and Jonathan)
Chapter 1926

Citadel, Zion

At 3 a.m., Lambert shot up in bed, his heart pounding against his ribs like a jackhammer.

He'd gone to bed late and had barely drifted off when the nightmare gripped him. In it, he saw Estelle, but she was no longer herself-she was a monster, caged and beaten by unseen assailants. These dreams had haunted him more than once.

Sitting on the edge of his bed, Lambert hung his head, gasping for air. He rose and walked to the window. The entire Zion City was still brightly lit.

Two days and two nights had passed since Estelle was taken. What kind of experiments were they using her for?

Raiden had claimed her, and Lambert knew he wouldn't let her go easily.

Maybe there was bad blood between them. Raiden would show no mercy!

The more Lambert thought about it, the more frantic he became. He grabbed a bottle of bourbon and guzzled it straight from the neck.

After emptying the bottle, he stumbled back to his bed, collapsing. As he closed his eyes, Estelle's final gaze haunted him.

She may have been aloof, but she had always been fiercely loyal in protecting him.

And he had cast her into hell!

If she was conscious, she must hate him by now!

These past two days, he had no interest in women, no desire to negotiate with Raiden. He just holed up in his room.

He kept telling himself that Estelle was just a passing acquaintance. She meant nothing compared to his family legacy and to his goddess. Letting her go meant no loss to him.

A man like him wouldn't feel any guilt!

But for some reason, he couldn't let go. Just the thought of Estelle disrupted his peace of mind.

Estelle's eyes were imprinted in his brain.

Dawn came, and Lambert hadn't slept a wink.

At 8 a.m., he called Raiden.

The line connected quickly, and Raiden's calm, indifferent voice came through, "Mr. Brennan, have you decided to sign the contract today?"

Lambert's voice was hoarse, "What have you done with Rella? Can you at least tell me what experiments you're planning on her?"

There was a brief pause before Raiden responded coolly, "I'm sorry, I can't disclose that to you, Mr. Brennan. You need not concern yourself with Rella anymore; she's no longer your affair." Lambert was resolute, "I don't want your concessions, and the deal can be scrapped. Just let her go!"

Raiden's voice remained devoid of emotion, "Mr. Brennan, that's impossible. In Zion, we value our commitments. Once an agreement is reached, it cannot be undone. Forget Rella, she will never leave this place." His tone darkened, "This is the end of the discussion about Rella. If you wish to sign the contract, I'm at your service, Mr. Brennan."

Without another word, Raiden hung up.

"Fuck!"

Lambert growled, hurling his phone to the floor.

Sitting on the bed, hands clutching his hair, his mind was in chaos. However, a strong determination was taking hold-he had to save Rella! He had to rescue her!

To hell with the deal. He had never been one for playing by the rules. If Raiden thought she could trap him with a contract, she was dreaming!

Maybe it was foolish. He was the one who had betrayed Rella, and now he was scrambling to save her.

But he felt it was the right thing to do. It didn't matter that he'd made a mistake; what mattered was making amends.

...

With a newfound resolve, Lambert felt a surge of unprecedented power.

After finishing his breakfast, he headed straight for the bar.

The bar was tranquil during the daytime, as peaceful as a serene and beautiful sanctuary.