Mr billionaire's regret chasing his irresistible wife by Gabby Emmanuel

He will bring their son home.

(JARED'S POV)

Denzel Hernandez.

The name hit me like a punch to the gut. The last person I wanted to hear from, not when my world was already falling apart. My grip on the phone tightened as anger surged through me why the hell was he calling now?

"Look, I don't know how you got my number, but I don't have time for your silly games," I snapped, ready to press the "end call" button.

"Oh, don't hang up, Jared," Denzel's voice was as smooth as ever. "You'll want to hear what I have to say. Trust me on this."

"What the hell do you want?"

"Well you really should know. There's a kid with me, I think his name is...Maverick?"

My heart slammed against my ribs, the world narrowing to a single point. So it was him.

"You bastard! What have you done to him?" My voice was low and deadly, barely controlled. My grip on the phone threatened to crush it.

"Nothing," he said coolly. "At least not yet. There's a small mole on his left earlobe huh?"

"Denzel," I said, barely containing the venom in my words. "I didn't expect you to be this silly. You do realize this is blackmail, right? If you touch a single hair on his head, I will bring you, your company, and everything you've ever built to the ground. I promise you that." As I spoke, Oliver stepped in, a questioning look on his face, but I silently motioned for him to stay back. He knew what this was about.

"Follow this number," I muttered under my breath, knowing Oliver would understand. "Track him down, find where he's hiding."

At the other end of the line, Denzel's mocking laughter echoed through the receiver. "Oops, now I'm really scared," he taunted. "Look at you, Jared-such a devoted father. But I've only got one thing to say to you: Shut the fuck up!"

I clenched my fist until my knuckles turned white.

"This is business, Jared," Denzel continued, his tone dripping with fake sympathy. "We both know that sometimes, extreme measures are necessary. I'm not a criminal, but you need to understand something: If you don't cooperate, you'll lose everything. Everything. I'm just making it clear. You can't make threats to me, Jared... or your son will be the one to pay the price."

I swallowed hard, my heart hammering against my chest. What kind of psycho kidnaps an innocent child to get to his father? What kind of monster does that?

"What do you want?" My voice was barely above a whisper, laced with dread as I shut my eyes, the thought of Maverick, scared and alone, gnawing at me. I wanted to be anywhere but here, but I had no choice. I had to play his game.

in 48 hours. And you'll do it at a price lower than market value.

first time he'd tried to seize control of my company. All his previous schemes had failed, so

Coward.

aloud. He had the life of my son in his hands so I had

I want to do that?"

with him. He's adorable, Jared. I'm actually enjoying having him around. I'm rubbing his little cheeks

ears as Oliver walked back, his face pale and anxious. I could tell he'd gathered some leads. Swift, precise. I

had no time

over the shares. Just don't

warehouse on 5th and

"And Maverick?"

for you. Unharmed...for

him," I

the cops." he spat, before abruptly hanging

The line went dead.

stepped forward, his

number. I've I got the location. The

tast month.

last thing I needed. No wonder I

time. Denzel'd lost all sense of reason in his pursuit of power.

sense now, why he would kidnap Maverick... to force

off by

expression unreadable. Her eyes were wide, and her face was still pale,

sighed and walked into the room. Arielle

my son got kidnapped because of you?" Her voice was quiet, but there was a sharp edge to her words. "Because somehow, he just knew Maverick was your son? Look at what you've

slap. The guilt weighed heavily on my chest, suffocating me. I never expected her to be angry at me, not now. But I couldn't blame her. My words all choked in

did he know he was my son, unless of course he has been keeping

process everything, but Arielle's voice broke through my thoughts. She was on the phone

need money... yes, Maverick... please, just

and panic surged in

her eyes

tight with confusion and a growing sense of