When Love Is a Lie

Damian only learned of the shutdown last night when Sundrift’s representative called him

“What I want is simple,” Damian continued, his tone sharp. “You give me all the evidence you’ve collected, and I’ll release her. The sooner you act, the less she

sullers

Noel rose to his feet, his expression as cold as ever. “She’s your flancée. What you do with her is your business. But I’ll remind you that kidnapping and causing harm will only add to your crimes. Whether it’s Whitney, Amy, or Rachel, Damian, stop before its too late. Think of Uncle Samuel and Aunt Emily.”

Before Damian could respond, Billy’s phone rang. Answering it, Billy’s face turned grim as he leaned into whisper something to Darnian.

Damian’s expression darkened immediately. He strode toward the stairs but stopped after a few steps, turning back to Noel. “Your time is running out. If you want to see her alive, do as I say.”

With that, he stormed out. Moments later, the sound of car engines raced to life as three vehicles sped away, disappearing into the distance.

For Damian to abruptly end negotiations and leave in such haste, something significant must have happened. Noel’s eyes narrowed as he contemplated the situation Pulling out his phone, he called Dariel while descending the stairs.

“What’s the update?

“No sign of her yet,” Daniel replied. “But someone spotted the van driver. We’re tracking him now.”

Ending the call, Noel approached his car, only to notice that two of his tires had been slashed. There was no need to guess who was responsible–it was Damian’s way of preventing him from following

With only one spare tire available, Noel replaced a single tire and managed to drive to the nearest town for repairs.

Whitney didn’t know how far she bad run. The dull ache in her right leg, still recovering from a fracture, grew sharper with each step. But she didn’t dare stop. She had no phone, no way to call for help, and no idea where she was. The road ahead stretched endlessly, barren of any signs of life.

After what felt like another half hour, her strength gave out, forcing her to stop and catch her breath. Gasping, she looked up–and her heart leaped. There, in the distance, was a small cluster of buildings.

Hope sparked within her as she pushed herself forward. Reaching the town, she immediately searched for a shop with a public phone. Spotting one, she burst inside, her desperation plain

The shopkeeper sat behind the counter, engrossed in a video on his phone.

“Please, I need to call the police,” Whitney pleaded. “I’ll pay you as soon as they arrive.”

The man looked up, startled “What did you say?

to escape, but I need to

cried, her voice trembling with

down and scrutinized her. Finally, he nodded. “Alright, don’t worry. I’ll call the

203 She Was In Peaceville

you so much!”

meerwhelmed with politude as

and relay

the shopkeeper reassured her after hanging up. cat atay here and wait. The police

thanked him again, berrations in termoil. She had been missing for days and had no idea what was happening home Washer father world she waterstain thur Yvette must have been

customer entered the store, the shopkeeper went in assist them. Whitney seized the moment to me the

the call ince the

“Hella? Who’s this

finally

eyes, her thmat tightening as the steuerled to

“Where are you! I’ve been tried sick Even Noel has been helping me search for

her too. Whitney clutched the receives tightly, her nice trembling “I

a sharp blow to the back

7

What’s happening?

from the receiver before

but was met with nothing but a busy tone. Alarmed,

Noel’s black G–Wagon. He stood nearby, his expression dark and unreadable. Picking up his phone. he made a

received the evidence of Damian’s illegal activities by now,” Noel

voice carried both anger and exasperation Closing the door to his office for privacy, he continued,

into Sundrift will

grandfather a heart attack by dragging the entire family

it? Noel asked, histone as calm as ever

brought shame not only to the Howard family but also to the company. Even his

me, do

you have a

a formal apology to the authorities. Do it today.” Noel

and expressed remorse, it could mitigate the damage to his career. It might even lessen the impact on the Howard coup, as

the best