Chapter Twenty-three: A Dangerous Rescue

"Mr. Sinclair, we've tracked down Ethan's location," Lucas reported after ending a call with one of Alexander's operatives. "He's with a woman. Hopefully, it's young madam."

From the rearview mirror, Lucas could see Alexander's cold, unblinking gaze. The intensity sent a chill down Lucas's spine, and he swallowed hard, knowing the urgency of the situation.

"What are you waiting for? Go after them," Alexander commanded, his voice like ice.

"Yes, sir." Lucas immediately navigated the car toward the coordinates, heading to a secluded hotel on the outskirts of town. He pushed the car to its limits, the speedometer climbing as Alexander’s eyes remained fixed on the road ahead, his brow furrowed in concentration and worry.

Soon, they pulled up to the hotel. Alexander stepped out of the car and strode toward the room number they’d been given. Lucas followed closely, ready to back him up.

Without hesitation, Alexander kicked the door open and stormed into the room, his gaze zeroing in on the bed where he saw movement. His instincts kicked in as he rushed over, roughly yanking Ethan off the bed and sending him sprawling across the room.

The woman in the bed gasped but quickly relaxed, turning her gaze to Alexander with a sultry smile. “Ethan, is this the gift you promised me?” she said in a coquettish tone, clinging to Alexander.

Alexander's heart sank as he realized the woman wasn’t Aria. But as he steadied himself, he noticed something strange. "Why does she smell like Aria?" he thought, his confusion adding to his anger. He turned on Ethan, grabbing him by the collar and hoisting him up.

“Where is Aria?” Alexander’s tone was dangerously low, his grip tightening with each word.

Ethan sneered. “Isn’t she your wife? Shouldn’t you know where she is?”

Alexander’s anger flared. His grip shifted to Ethan's throat, choking him with one hand. “I’ll ask you one more time—where is Aria?”

Ethan's smirk faltered as he struggled to breathe, clawing at Alexander’s iron hold. But suddenly, Alexander felt his own strength wane. His vision blurred, and a pounding sensation radiated through his head. Realizing something was wrong, he stumbled, releasing his hold on Ethan and falling back onto the bed.

Lucas rushed to his side, alarmed. “Mr. Alexander! Hold on, sir!” He quickly supported Alexander, who was gasping for air.

Ethan, now freed, took the opportunity to sneer. “What’s wrong, Mr Alexander?” he taunted, enjoying the sight of his rival weakened. “Maybe you should take your medicine.”

Lucas’s heart raced as he saw Alexander’s symptoms intensify. The telltale signs of Alexander’s rare allergy had surfaced—the rapid drop in strength, the struggle for breath, and the pallor in his face. He frantically reached into Alexander’s coat pocket, retrieving the emergency medication and helping him take it.

But even after taking the medicine, Alexander showed little improvement. Lucas's pulse quickened with a new sense of urgency. He turned to the guards who had entered the room after them. “What are you standing there for? Grab that woman and get her out of here! Something isn’t right with her.”

He glared at Ethan, his own patience snapping. “Take both of them! Interrogate them until you find out where Aria is!”

The guards sprang into action, grabbing both the woman and Ethan, despite their protests, and ushering them out of the room for questioning.

Lucas turned his focus back to Alexander, who was still visibly struggling. He gripped Alexander’s arm tightly, keeping him upright. “Hold on, Mr. Alexander. We’re going to the hospital—now.”

Steadying his boss, Lucas led him out of the room, praying they’d get to safety soon and find Aria before it was too late.