Shadows Of A Forgotten Spring
Billionaire Shadow 133

Chapter 133

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Kevin rushed into Alexander's office without knocking, looking pale and wide-eyed in panic. His disheveled appearances were enough to make Alexander pause mid-sentence on the call. "Sir, we have a problem!" Kevin shouted, holding a tablet with trembling hands. Alexander pinched the bridge of his nose. His frustration getting out of control. Today had been one disaster after another, and he didn't think he could handle one more shred of bad news. "Don't tell me he stole more than half a billion this time" Alexander snapped, his Kevin shook his head, his tone trembling. "It's not about money, sir. It's about Mrs. Black."

voice shrill.

me seemed to freeze. Alexander's heart jumped out of his chest and he snatched the tablet from Kevin's hands. His fingers, which were always so composee, fumbled as he scanned the headline written across the screen. 'BREAKING NEWS: Mrs. Emma Black, CEO of W2 HOLDINGS, and several employees are being held hostage inside her company building. Bombs have reportedly been planted to detonate in less than ten minutes. Alexander read the words again, and in an instant, panic filled his mind. But then, the gravity of the situation hit him like a train. A madness he had never felt in his life enveloped him, choking him with fear and rage. "Emma," he whispered, barely audible.

He pushed past Kevin and snatched the car keys from his outstretched hand, his face a mask of barely restrained panic as he hurried toward the private elevator.

As the elevator doors closed, Alexander's heart was pounding like a war drum. His mind raced with images of Emma: her warm smile, her fierce determination, and those rare moments she let her guard down around him. The thought that he was just too much to bear. could lose her, not be able to save her,

He shook his head, trying not to think about that.

7

The elevator pinged, and he rushed into the VIP car park. Leaping into the driver's seat of his sleek black car, he fired the engine. In a split second, his foot slammed onto the gas, the tires screeching as he sped out of the parking lot. ΑΔΔΔΔ

Setting her shaking finger on the scanner to open her office door, Emma took a deep, steadying breath in. The moment the door clicked open, she saw her chance, swinging an elbow into Derek's temple, as powerful as she could.

He stumbled backward, grunting in pain, and Emma sprinted and went through another door which she slammed shut behind her. It was an open office filled with desks, computers, and scattered papers.

Her chest heaved as she crouched behind one of the tables, her palm over her mouth to reduce her ragged breaths. Her mind race desperately for an escape. She could hear Derek's footsteps echoing as he stormed into the room, his heavy boots thudding against the tiled floor.

"Emma!" Derek's voice thundered down the hall, in tones evident with anger. "You think you can outsmart me? You think you can run? You can't! We're in this together to the bitter end!"

Emma bit back her bottom lip and peered over the edge of the table; Derek was checking every row, and under the fluorescent lights, his gun glittered. Her heart quickened as he came into her view.

She crawled between table to table, her every move very slow and prayed that he would not spot

her.

12:44 Fri, 3 Jan M.

Chapter 133

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Derek then abruptly lifted his gun and fired into the roof. The deafening shot vibrated around the room; Emma hunched against the table, terrified.

"Come out, Emma!" Derek yelled at the top of his voice, which was breaking with madness. "You can't hide from me! You! hear me? You can't escape your fate!"

Another gunshot rang out, this time hitting a nearby computer. The screen shattered, sending shards of glass flying. Emma huddled, head covered with hands, her body shaking. "You're only making this worse!" Derek shouted, his voice growing more erratic. He fired again, hitting another desk. Papers flew into the air, and the scent of gunpowder filled the room. ma's tears began to flow freely, her breath slow as she placed a hand over her mouth to stifle her sobs. She was drenched i sweat, her back pressed against the cold metal of the table. Her mind went to her twins, Emily and

Their bright smiles, their laughter, the way they hugged her so tightly every night before bed. She could almost hear their voices calling for her, their small hands reaching out. The thought tore through her, leaving a deep ache in her chest.

"I'm so sorry," she whispered, her voice barely audible over the chaos.

And then, it happened.

The bomb detonated!

The sound was deafening, a violent roar that seemed to rip the world apart. Emma felt the force of the explosion before she even saw it. The wave hit her like a train, hurling her across the room. Her body collided with a desk, and she crumpled to the floor as debris rained down around her.

Flying papers, shattered pieces of computers, smell of smoke and fire everywhere. Emma's vision blurred and her ears rang from the explosion. She tried to move, but she felt too weak where she laid. The world around her slowed.

And as the darkness closed in, her last thoughts were of her children. Their laughter, their hugs, their love. A faint smile tugged at her lips even as tears streaked her soot-covered face.

And then, everything went black.

$2000

AA

Annie stormed back into the dimly lit warehouse, her heels clicking against the cold concrete floor.

The air was thick with the stench of sweat, blood, and fear. Her men had done their job well, too well indeed. Jim was slumped against the chair, his face so horribly swollen that it barely resembled a human anymore.

His head fell to the side, barely supported by his battered neck, and his chest rose and fell with labored breaths.

She stopped a few paces away from him, her sharp eyes on the pitiable figure before her. The men scattered at her approach.

They knew better than to get in her way when she was in this mood.

Slowly, Annie crouched down, and cupped Jim's destroyed face in her hands. The blood and bruises did not to trouble her at all; she did not even flinch.

Instead, she tilted his face toward hers, forcing his unfocused gaze to meet her cold, calculating eyes.