Chapter  27: Surprise!

The drive back from Blackwell Manor was quiet. Luna sat in the backseat of the sleek black car, her thoughts tangled in the conversations of the evening. Margaret had been as warm as ever, making her feel welcome despite the circumstances, but Lawrence's words lingered in her mind. He had been strict, firm—but there was an underlying concern in his gaze, a protectiveness she hadn't expected.

Killian sat beside her, his fingers drumming against his knee, a telltale sign that something was on his mind. Elijah, who had insisted on driving, remained focused on the road, the tension in his jaw still present. It was evident he had not gotten over his initial contempt for Luna, despite overhearing the truth earlier that evening.

The silence stretched too long, and Luna, unwilling to bear the weight of unspoken words, turned to Killian. "Your grandfather," she started hesitantly, "he truly cares about you."

Killian exhaled, leaning back into the seat. "He cares about the family. About its legacy."

"That's not all he cares about."

Killian didn't reply. Instead, he glanced out the window, his expression unreadable. Luna sighed, turning away, feeling the conversation slip through her fingers before it could even begin.

A sudden vibration in Killian's pocket disrupted the moment. He retrieved his phone, his brows furrowing as he read the screen. Without a word, he answered, his tone sharp. "What is it?"

Luna watched as his features hardened, his entire demeanor shifting from brooding silence to alarm. "What do you mean missing?" he barked. "When did this happen?"

Luna's stomach tightened. Missing?

Killian pressed his fingers against the bridge of his nose. "We'll be there in fifteen minutes." He hung up abruptly and turned to Elijah. "Change course. Head to Blackwell Industries. Now."

Elijah didn't question him. The car made a sharp turn, heading toward the towering Blackwell Industries building that loomed in the distance.

Luna, despite herself, felt a pang of worry. "What happened?"

Killian's jaw clenched. "One of my trusted secretaries—Avery Maddox—disappeared this afternoon. She left the building for lunch and never came back."

Luna felt a chill creep up her spine. "Avery?! You think something happened to her?" Feeling very concerned.

"Her access card was used three hours ago, but the security footage doesn't match her movements. And she wasn't scheduled to leave again."

Luna exchanged a glance with Elijah, whose grip on the wheel tightened. Even he looked troubled.

By the time they arrived at Blackwell Industries, the building was eerily quiet despite the late-night activity. Security personnel were already on high alert, moving in coordinated urgency. Killian wasted no time, stepping out of the car and heading straight inside. Luna followed, unable to shake the feeling that something was terribly wrong.

As they entered the security room, they were met with several employees and a man in his early fifties, his pressed suit wrinkled from stress. "Mr. Blackwell," the man, presumably the head of security, greeted, his expression grim. "We've reviewed the footage multiple times. Something isn't adding up."

Killian crossed his arms. "Show me."

The screen flickered as footage from earlier played. Avery Maddox, a young woman in a navy blouse and pencil skirt, was seen walking toward the lobby. She spoke briefly with someone near the entrance—a man whose face was partially obscured. Then, she left.

"Pause it," Killian ordered.

The screen froze. Luna leaned in. Something felt off. "Can you zoom in on the man she spoke to?"

The technician complied, enhancing the image. The clarity improved just enough to reveal an unsettling detail—the man was wearing an employee ID, but it didn't match his face.

Elijah let out a sharp breath. "That's not one of our people."

Killian's expression darkened. "Run a scan. I want to know who he really is and how he got in."

As the room bustled with activity, Luna couldn't help but feel the undercurrent of something bigger than just an employee going missing. Her instincts screamed that this wasn't just a case of someone vanishing—this was deliberate. And it involved Blackwell Industries directly.

A sudden thought struck her. She turned to Killian. "You said her access card was used three hours ago?"

Killian nodded. "Yes. Why?"

Luna pointed at the screen. "If she was taken, why was her card used after she was already gone?"

The room fell into silence.

Killian's gaze sharpened. "Someone is covering their tracks."

Elijah frowned. "Or they're trying to send a message."

Luna's stomach churned. If that was the case, then whatever was happening was far from over.

Back in Killian's office, tension ran high as the implications of the situation settled. Luna sat across from Killian, who had his fingers steepled in thought. Elijah stood near the window, arms crossed.

"This isn't just about Avery," Killian finally said, his voice quiet but firm. "This is about the company. Someone is trying to make a move."

Elijah scoffed. "A hostile takeover? Sabotage?"

Killian exhaled. "Possibly."

Luna frowned, unable to shake the unease gnawing at her. "If that's the case, what do we do now?"

Killian's phone buzzed again. He glanced at it before answering. "Speak."

A muffled voice on the other end spoke rapidly. Killian's eyes darkened. "Understood." He ended the call, standing abruptly. "They found her car abandoned near the docks. No sign of her."

Luna's heart pounded. Whoever was behind this wasn't being subtle anymore.

Killian turned to Elijah. "Alert the private security team. I want round-the-clock surveillance on all key personnel, including Luna."

Luna blinked. "What?"

Killian's gaze met hers, unwavering. "This isn't just a company matter anymore. If someone is targeting us, they might come for you too."

A cold shiver ran down her spine, but she squared her shoulders. "I can take care of myself."

Killian's jaw tightened. "Not up for debate."

Elijah smirked. "For once, I agree with him."

Luna scowled but knew better than to argue.

As the night stretched on, the weight of the situation only grew heavier. And somewhere deep inside, Luna knew—this was just the beginning.

Someone was playing a dangerous game with the Blackwells.

And she was now caught in the middle of it.