The moment the call disconnected, the temperature in the car seemed to plummet.

"Who exactly are—"


I stared at the driver, clutching my mini-computer as a potential weapon.

The driver remained silent, accelerating toward an isolated area in the suburbs.

Brandon's car remained in pursuit, his presence transforming from threat to my only hope.


Near an abandoned factory complex, the driver suddenly slammed the brakes, skidding the car sideways.

Almost simultaneously, multiple headlights blazed to life in the darkness ahead, revealing another group blocking our path.


The driver roughly dragged me from the car, pressing a knife against my throat.

Brandon's car screeched to a halt. He leaped out but froze when he saw the situation, his expression darkening dangerously.

The leader of the group was a middle-aged man with effeminate mannerisms, slowly applauding.

"How fascinating. The Shaw family drama is more entertaining than any movie."

It was Dominic Zane, head of the Zane Group.

Brandon's voice turned glacial.

"Mr. Zane, in business matters, kidnapping my wife crosses a line, doesn't it?"

"The West District property—if you want it, it's yours. There's no need for this."

Dominic Zane chuckled. "Mr. Shaw misunderstands. I merely invited Miss Chapman as a guest. After all, who wouldn't want a top talent capable of breaching Shaw Corporation's core database?"

"And if it throws both Shaw brothers into chaos? Well, that's just a bonus."

Brandon stared at me intensely, hurt and shock evident in his eyes.

"Anna, did you hack my database?"

Another car screeched to a halt nearby. Brian leaped out, radiating murderous intent.

Unable to reach anyone during his escape, he'd realized he'd been deceived.

Fortunately, he'd installed a GPS tracker in the car and followed us here.

Brian was livid—furious at himself for being tricked and endangering me, and enraged at Dominic Zane for the deception.

His obsession found a new target as he charged toward Dominic Zane, baseball bat in hand.

"I'll kill him! Anyone who touches Anna deserves to die!"