Shadows Of A Forgotten Spring
Billionaire Shadow 72

Chapter 72

Later that night, Adam Henshel sat alone in his dimly lit cell, the weight of his thoughts pressing heavily on him. The cold metal walls offered no comfort, and the faint hum of the facility's fluorescent lights only seemed to amplify his agitation. Annie hadn't called him back after their last conversation, and the silence gnawed at him.

He replayed the call in his head, her sharp tone and dismissive words still stinging like an open wound. How could she speak to him this way after everything? The first time she approached him, she had been sweet; her smiles as polished as the diamonds she wore on her fingers. She had spoken with him as if they were partners, as if her regard for him was paramount. But now, now that he was imprisoned and no longer of any ust to her, she treated him like dirt.

The bitterness boiled inside him, his nails into the skin of his palms as Adam clenched his fists tighter. His life was already a mess. With two of the children dead, it would not be long before the law closed in on him tighter. He knew prison would be inevitable, there would be no escaping it. But if he was going down, he wasn't going alone.

His mind wandered to the other woman who had contacted him. She had made an enticing offer-one promising more money than Annie had ever paid him. He didn't know who she was personally, but at this juncture, that did not matter. Annie had deserted him, and the thought of taking her down with him had a poetic feel to it

"Why not profit from my downfall?" he muttered to himself in a bitter, low tone. "If I'm going to rot in prison. I might as well make it worthwhile."

He leaned back against the cold wall, a deep growl rumbling in his throat as the memories of Annie's betrayal played over and over in his head. Her dismissive words, her lack of loyalty-irall fueled his rage. She had used him, played him, and then discarded him like he was nothing.

But what really sent his blood boiling was the thought of her smug face, going about her life unscathed. He wanted to see her fall, watch her crumble under the weight of her own deceit and lies. The temptation to call the other woman and make a deal grew with each passing second

But then a pang of fear coursed through him. What if this other woman was setting him up? What if this was some elaborate trap to get him to confess? He shook his head, trying to dispel the doubt. He was already comered; the walls were closing in and he had little to nothing left to lose.

It was sleepless torture. He felt the faces of children; innocent eyes stared right into his conscience. And yet he had committed what only a monster would have. What was worse, the crime would not let him alone in the darkness.

As the night wore on, sleep eluded Adam. He lay awake, persecuted by his thoughts. The ticking clock seemed to reverberate through the silent hours-the tick of every second marked another chunk of time eaten into his limited stock. He was going to make a move one way or another. If he had to fall, Annie would fall harder.

It was finally the day of the Aurora Honors-the day of the year where high society comes together, waltzing in garish light and celebration of power, prestige, and success. Annie sat before her vanity, the mirror staring back at her reflection that was rapidly changing with every layer applied on her already stunning face. The makeup artist danced with precision, painting perfection upon perfection, but her mind was elsewhere.

She barely noticed the brushes gliding across her skin. Her thoughts were consumed by the anonymous CEO of W Holdings. The rumors, the intrigue, the anticipation-everything about this enigmatic figure had captured her attention. A charm.

smug while crept onto her lips as she practiced her introduction du her head. She imagined the scene, he

her carefully crafted words, her irresistible allure. Whoever that CEO was, she would have no choice but to accept her proposal: she was unbeatable with the status in society.

The makeup artist stepped back, her work was complete. Annie Hood, taking the chance to study herself. Glowing, with every single piece of hair in place, Angie's features were vivid. She picked up her fashion bag and sashayed out of the room with queenship poise Alexander was waiting for her in the sitting room, standing tall and impatient. As she came down the stain ase, his eyes

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flickered toward her, but there was a coldness in his expression that Annie chose to ignore. She approached him with a bright smile, planting a quick kiss on his cheek. "Shall we?" she said sweetly, looping her arm through his as they walked out to the car.

Unlike other times when Alexander favored his jeep, tonight was an exception. One of his Lamborghinis sat at the entrance, gleaming under the estate's great lights. Annie bubbled with excitement beneath her poised exterior. Alexander walked her to the passenger side and opened the door for her-the kind of old-world chivalry that made a girl feel like royalty. She slipped into the seat, heart racing, as the door closed behind her with a soft click.

Alexander slid into the driver's seat, his face unreadable, and pressed the accelerator; they quickly sped out of the estate. The drive was silent except for the low hum of the engine and the randourbuzz of Annie's phone. She barely noticed the silence, as she was too busy running through her moves in preparation for the evening.

Little more than an hour later, they pulled into the Aurora Honors. In an instant, the crowd began screaming again at the stopping sleek car; fans and photographers surged ahead, and their cameras winking like thousands of stars. Alexander exited first, immediately commanding a presence that turned heads on gasps, his opening door for Annie evoked a whispered flutter of the audience's approval.

Annie stepped out with calculated grace, her angelic features lit up by the camera flashes. She waved at the crowd, her innocent baby-doll face glowing as she blew kisses to her admirers. The fans ate it up, cheering louder, as if she were a modern-day princess. Before them, the red carpet was laid, a glittering path lined by media and VIPs. Annie was basking in the attention, feeling like the night was hers, when the sound of another car pulling up stole the spotlight.

e man who emerged.

The cheers from the crowd turned to murmurs as a sleek, black car came to a stop. All eyes were on the from it: Jaden, sharp in his suit, with his air of confidence. Cames snapped away as Jaden strolled to the passenger side and opened the door with a deliberate flourish.

And then, she stepped out of his car.

Emma Black.

SEND OIFT