Fated to the Ruthless CEO

Attorney Harrison and Amber slowly descended the staircase with a heavy silence hanging over them. Amber’s heart raced, anxiety coursing through her veins. She faltered on the last step, her trembling legs betraying her.

“Don’t make any stupid moves,” Attorney Harrison hissed, his grip on her tightening. “You’re my only ticket out of this hellhole.”

Amber scanned the place as they moved forward, her eyes catching the hushed movements of the police officers who were waiting to the sides, giving way for them to exit. The tension in the air was evident, everyone keenly aware of the volatile situation. Every step was a careful calculation, every decision weighed against the risk of the hostage getting hurt.

Amber’s gaze locked onto Abby and Agent Smith, standing off to the side but poised with their guns. Their expressions etched with worry and determination. Amber couldn’t help but wonder where Devlin was in all of this chaos, her mind racing with unanswered questions.

As they neared the mansion’s exit, the morning air hit Amber’s face like a refreshing wave, a stark contrast to the stifling atmosphere inside. The police maintained their positions, ready for any sudden movements. Amber’s heart continued to pound. Her thoughts filled with a mix of fear and hope.

Devlin’s heart raced as he heard the commotion echoing from inside the mansion. The voices and shuffling footsteps made him all the more worried. He strained to understand the muffled voices, his senses on high alert. Something was terribly wrong, and he couldn’t shake the foreboding sense that had settled in the pit of his stomach.

The sound of heavy footsteps drew nearer, and Delin’s pulse quickened. He instinctively retreated at the back of his car, his body tense as he watched the massive gate. It creaked open with agonizing slowness, revealing the imposing figure of Attorney Harrison.

Devlin’s breath caught in his throat as he saw the old man clutching Amber, his beloved wife, as a hostage. Amber’s eyes met Devlin’s, a silent plea for him to stay hidden, to not draw Harrison’s attention towards him. Her eyes conveyed fear and desperation, but she remained silent knowing that any word from her could escalate the situation further.

Devlin’s fists clenched, his mind racing for a plan, any way to free his wife from Harrison’s grip without putting her in further danger. A mixture of anger and helplessness surged through him as he watched the man who had once been their trusted legal counsel now holding Amber captive.

He was torn between confronting the man who threatened his wife and heeding her silent plea for caution. The morning air was heavy with tension, and Devlin knew that the choices he made in the next few moments would determine the fate of their lives. He showed himself in front of Attorney Harrison.

“Mr. Wesley, it’s about time you decided to make an appearance. You’ve driven us to this point. I’ve been stressing the importance of managing the finances left behind by your grandfathers for quite some time now. But what did you do? You were too preoccupied with your own affairs to even give it a second thought. You’ve reaped the benefits of that tainted money, whether you care to admit it or not.” Harrison’s words hung in the tense air, accusations and grievances building up over time now laid bare. It was time to face the truth, confront the skeletons in the family closet, and make amends for the past, for the safety of his beloved wife.

“Attorney Harrison, you are absolutely right. I must admit that I was so engrossed in running my company that I didn’t give a second thought to the inheritance I received. I was busy fixing the problems in the company. I didn’t know it was you who did all of it.” Devlin said with huge disappointment and resentment.

Devlin took a deep breath before speaking again. He had to tread carefully with this man. He is beyond desperation and sanity. “I want to extend my sincerest apologies, not only on my behalf but also on behalf of my grandfather and great-grandfather, for the way they treated you in the past. You, more than anyone else, understood the reasons behind my reluctance to have anything to do with their wealth. Yes, I benefited from that wealth during my younger years, but as soon as I delved into our family’s history and discovered the truth, I resolved to distance myself from it entirely.” He paused, hoping to put some sense into Attorney Harrison’s mind.

“I understand that you’ve been pursuing a significant share of that inheritance, and for that, I am genuinely sorry. However, my decision was not driven by a desire to hoard the wealth. On the contrary, I’ve been adamant about donating my entire share to charitable organizations. I understand that this may not align with your expectations, especially considering the dubious origins of the money. It’s only fitting to put it to good use.” Devlin explained.

Attorney Harrison replied, “It’s easy for you to say that. I wanted to gain that wealth to help those in need. It served as my means of seeking redemption for my involvement in your family’s evil scheme. Throughout those years, I never found peace knowing that I contributed to ruining people’s lives simply because I felt I had no choice.”

Devlin was willing to accommodate Attorney Harrison’s wish if it meant saving Amber. He pleaded, “Very well, Attorney Harrison. If that’s your main concern, I can transfer everything to your account. Please, let’s put an end to this and release my wife from this situation. She’s completely innocent in all of this.”

Attorney Harrison, confident in his position, laid out his conditions, saying, “I can grant your request, but first, you must ensure that everyone else here leaves. I want you to initiate the transfer right away. Furthermore, I’ll need a vehicle to make my escape. I’ll take your wife with me until I’m sure no one is following. I’ll send you the location where I’ll release her.”

Devlin believed the old man was making a desperate move. He felt trapped, with no clear escape routes. Devlin had known that every exit was already blocked. Still, he attempted to negotiate, “I can’t allow that, Attorney Harrison. Please, release my wife. I’ll contact my lawyer immediately to facilitate the transfer of my inheritance.”

Attorney Harrison remained skeptical, warning Devlin, “I don’t trust anyone at the moment. Don’t try to manipulate me into believing that I’ll be safe after I release your wife.”

Devlin was growing increasingly frustrated. He couldn’t simply allow his wife to go with Attorney Harrison who clearly appeared to be mentally unstable. He scanned the surroundings, noticing the cautious gaze of police officers on Attorney Harrison, as well as the presence of both Abby and Agent Smith. Devlin found himself torn, uncertain about his next move. One thing was certain though, he had to ensure Amber’s safety.

Meanwhile, Amber was trembling uncontrollably, desperately suppressing her tears. She couldn’t afford to let her emotions overwhelm her now. Any wrong move on her part could be fatal. She strained to come up with a plan to escape Attorney Harrison’s tight grip.

When Devlin finally made a critical decision, a sound from the handheld radio caught Attorney Harrison’s attention. He heard very well that a sniper was waiting for him. He pressed his gun closer to Amber’s head.

“See? I don’t trust any of you.” He laughed sarcastically. “Move or this woman’s head will blow into pieces! I want that car now!” He shouted, his voice chillingly composed.

“Please give him what he wants,” Devlin said with a hoarse voice. It pained him to see the terrified look in his wife’s eyes.

“Baby, please be strong. I won’t allow any harm to befall you,” he yearned to rush to his wife’s side and shield her from the impending danger.

“The car, now!” Attorney Harrison demanded, cutting off any reassurances Devlin had for Amber.

A sleek black vehicle crept closer, coming to a stop. Attorney Harrison quickly moved inside, positioning himself behind Amber to use her as a human shield.

He then pulled Amber inside as he moved to the driver’s seat. Amber stole a frantic glance at Devlin, their eyes locking for a brief, agonizing moment. The unspoken promise of love and protection lingered in that gaze.

However, all hell broke loose when three consecutive gunshots could be heard in the air. Devlin saw the shattered glasses to the side of the car. Everything was chaotic while the police were trying to cordon off the area. Devlin could not move from his spot. He only had Amber in his mind.

Suddenly, someone sobbed hysterically, capturing Devlin’s attention. Determination surged through him as he pushed his way towards the car, where he saw a paramedic helping Amber to calm down. Without hesitation, he embraced his wife tightly.

“Ssh…everything is alright now, my love. I’m here,” he whispered soothingly, holding her even closer as he felt her vulnerability in his arms. He wanted to check her body if she got hurt. However, she desperately clung to him for her dear life. Gently, he lifted her and carried her towards the nearest ambulance, determined to get her the urgent first aid she needed.