Chapter 130 - Fear, Desperation and Need.

The captor's grin faltered, his expression darkening. His free hand clenched into a fist, the knuckles turning white. The memories flooded back-those humiliating days, the helplessness, the rage. He had once been at Blaze's mercy, and the bitterness of that time had burned a permanent scar into his soul.

"It's not just guts," he growled, his voice low and venomous. "It's justice. Do you have any idea what he did to me? What he took from me? This isn't just revenge-it's a reckoning. Hell awaits for Blaze Baldwin."

He slammed his fist on thetable, shaking the other phone that was resting there. Before him was a paused video feed — live footage from the hidden camera in the room where Savannah was being held. His bloodied eyes darted toit, watching as she fought the restraints. Abrutal satisfaction surged through him, but not enough. He craved more.

"I want him desperate," he continued into the phone, the voice colder. "I want him scared. I want him to feel the hot breath creeping in and catching inside him, choking him, until he finally understands he will not be able to save her. That's when I'll take it all from him." The voice on the other end giggled and said "Damn, you really hate him, don't you?"

"Hate?" he asked and then laughed, the sound sharp and bitter. " Hate would be getting poor compensation; I owe him this pain."

He hung up, threw the phone on the table, and sat there for a moment, looking at the dim light bulb that was flickering above, his chest heaving with the weight of his anger.

He held it for a few beats before dialing the second phone number and turning up the feed. Watching Savannah once more, he sneered. "Your knight in shining armor won't save you this time, Mrs. Baldwin. But don't worry- you'll see just how far he'll fall trying."

He sank down into the cushions of the sofa, a malignant grin curling his lips while he reached in to pour a drink for himself. Only matter of time left now. Blaze would come-and when he does, he walks right into it.

YouHeal Hospital

Bella's bright disposition had been replaced with fear as she looked at Blaze's face. His anger was a storm barely contained, and his piercing eyes bored into her the moment she approached.

"Where's Savannah?" Blaze asked in an icy and controlled voice, but there was a dangerous edge to it that sent a chill down Bella's spine.

"Sh-she went home," Bella stammered, her voice barely above a whisper as she fought to keep her composure under his intense gaze.

Blaze's eyes narrowed, his tone turning sharper. "Are you playing games with me?"

Bella's confusion deepened, but the weight of his presence made her shrink back slightly. "I-I don't understand," she said hesitantly.

Blaze took a step closer, his voice now had a chilling finality. "I'm warning you Bella. Don't mess with me. If you know something, you fucking speak now!"

Arthur intervened noticing Bella's growing fear. "Bella," he said in a soft tone attempting to ease the tension. "Did Savannah go home after your lunch together?"

Bella shook her head trying to recall the events. "No. We finished lunch, and later, a waitress approached us and told us they were giving free gifts to their first customers. So I went to look. When I returned... she wasn't there."

Arthur's brow furrowed. "Then how do you know she went home?"

Bella paused before answering. "She sent me a text afterward... said she felt unwell and went home."

"Show me the text," Blaze ordered, his tone leaving no room for debate.

Bella's hands shook as she unlocked her phone and opened the message.

She passed it to Blaze, who read the screen. The text came from Savannah's number claiming she had left for home due to illness.

Blaze returned the phone to Bella, his fist tight and knuckles pale. His thoughts raced unable to make sense of the situation. If Savannah had messaged Bella why wasn't she at her house? And why couldn't they reach her phone?

His concern grew as he imagined various bad outcomes. Bella now uneasy, looked at Blaze with a mix of confusion and dread.

"What makes you search for her, sir?" Bella asked at last, her voice unsteady, mostly looking at Arthur because she did not dare looking at the her Boss. "What's happening?"

Blaze looked at Arthur, "Get someone to track Savannah's phone. I need to know where she is."

Arthur nodded and moved off to place the calls. Blaze's eyes stayed on Bella for an extra heartbeat, his voice low and dripping with contained rage. "If you recall anything, anything at all-you tell me. Immediately."

Bella nodded quickly, her unease growing as she realized the gravity of the situation. Blaze turned away, his fists clenched as he strode toward the nearest window, staring out at the city skyline. His heart pounded in his chest, each beat a reminder of how much Savannah meant to him and how much he couldn't bear to lose her.

Baldwin's Mansion

Blaze's vehicle skidded to a stop in front of his massive mansion, its imposing structure seeming to taunt his increasing feeling of fear. His driver hurried to open the door, but Blaze brushed him aside and burst out, his whole body emanating anger. The staff who were working nearby stood still, their customary bows and greetings frozen by the expression on his face. No one ventured near or asked questions.

Elijah, his trusted left hand man, waited by the front door and saw at once the tension in Blaze's step. He had learned to read his boss's moods over the years, and this one was more explosive than he'd witnessed in a long time. One thing went through Elijah's mind. This is about Savannah. Without delay, he trailed Blaze as the man made his way toward the hidden basement door.

Blaze arrived at the basement door, a steel-reinforced entry that needed biometric authorization. A swift palm scan and the door hissed open, revealing a high-tech command center. This was filled with top-of-the-line monitoring software, and an elite team of security personnel who were sworn to protect his holdings-and his family.

The air was hazy, the light from scores of monitors throwing otherworldly shadows on the walls. Each screen showed real-time images of his different properties, busy locations, and strategic routes. The whirring of equipment and muted clicks of keyboards filled the air, but upon Blaze's entry, all ceased. The employees turned towards him, their expressions mirroring confusion and apprehension at the tempest cloud that had descended upon their ranks.

Blaze's harsh voice sliced through the quiet like a knife. "The fuck were you all doing?!"

The staff looked at each other nervously, having no idea where this anger was coming from. Marcus, the monitoring chief, came forward. He was a seasoned veteran, but the intensity of Blaze's voice made him hesitate momentarily. "Boss? What's going on?" he asked hesitantly.

Blaze fixed Marcus with a deadly glare, his voice a roar that seemed to shake the walls. "Why the hell am I not informed that Savannah is missing?"

The impact of his words hit the room like a bombshell. Marcus blinked in bewilderment, his mind racing to comprehend the accusation. "Missing?" he repeated, his voice laced with incredulity. "I-I didn't know she was missing. She left the restaurant and-"

"And what?" Blaze growled, his voice low and menacing, his rage brewing just under the surface.

Marcus stammered, struggling to keep his composure. "And she got into the car and drove off. That's all we saw on the footage."

Blaze's jaw tightened, the muscle in his cheek twitching as he fought to contain his growing anger. "So you just assumed everything was fine? Do I pay you to make assumptions?"

Marcus turned pale, his usual confidence fading. "Boss, I swear, there was no reason to think otherwise. Let me show you."

He rushed to one of the workstations and pulled up a video feed from earlier in the afternoon. The footage played on the large central screen, showing Savannah leaving the restaurant after lunch. She looked calm as she walked out, disappearing behind a wall, and then a sleek black car that looked like Blaze's, drove away.

Marcus pointed at the screen. "That's her," he said, his voice shaky. "And the car—it's yours, Boss."

Author's Note :

Should I make a spin off of this story? Maybe Athur's or Elijah's..?

The novel is about to end:(

Have a good day/night <3<3