Chapter 3

When Nadine opened her eyes again, she was alone. Her first thought wasn't that it was a beautiful morning, but rather that she had only four days left. Time hung over her like a blade, ready to drop at any moment and plunge her into the abyss. She threw off the covers and walked into the bathroom to splash some cold water against her face, bringing a brief moment of clarity. As she stepped out of her room, the faint clinking of cutlery drew her attention to the dining table. She looked over to see Serena sitting there, leisurely enjoying her breakfast. Serena looked up and smiled sweetly. "Nadine, you're awake? Hunter left earlier—he was going to cancel his meetings to accompany me to the auction today, but I didn't want him neglecting the company just for me. It took some convincing to finally send him off. "I could use some company. Why don't you come with me?" Nadine frowned, instinctively wanting to refuse, but Serena seemed to read her thoughts. She set down her coffee cup gently. "If you don't go with me, I'll just call Hunter and tell him you pushed me down the stairs." Nadine's fingers tightened slightly as she dug her nails into her palms. She knew Serena's tactics, and above all, she knew how much Hunter trusted her. Hunter would believe Serena's words without hesitation. As for her, she no longer had time left to explain, nor a chance to argue. She still needed Hunter to tell her that he loved her. She couldn't afford to clash with him now. So she gave a cold nod. "Fine. I'll go with you." The car moved steadily toward the auction venue. Nadine remained silent throughout the ride, while Serena sat beside her, occasionally glancing at her phone with a faint smile playing on her lips. Suddenly, the car jerked to a halt as a black van swerved in front of them, blocking their path. Masked men rushed forward before they could react, yanking them out of the car and shoving them into the van. Darkness enveloped Nadine's vision. The only sounds she could hear were Serena's shrill screams and their captors' heavy breathing. Rough ropes dug into her wrists, and the pain forced a grimace from her. The van jolted along for what felt like an eternity before finally stopping. Ultimately, they were dragged out and taken to a deserted dock. The leader of the abductors pulled off his mask, revealing a cold, hardened face. Nadine recognized him instantly. The man was Stellan Parker, the former CEO of Parker Corp, who had been destroyed by Hunter's hand. "Stellan?" Nadine frowned. "What do you think you're doing?" Stellan let out a humorless laugh, and his eyes were burning with hatred. "What am I doing? Hunter Goldman took everything from me. Now I'll make sure he loses what he loves most." Nadine's stomach dropped. "Stellan, calm down. There's still room for negotiation." "Calm down?" His voice rose sharply. "I can't calm down! Hunter destroyed my life, and now I'll destroy his!" With a wave of his hand, his men shoved Serena and Nadine toward the edge of the dock. The inky black sea churned violently below them, its waves like gaping jaws ready to swallow them whole. Stellan took out his phone and dialed Hunter's number. "Mr. Goldman, both of your women are with me. You have one hour to choose which one to take. The other gets thrown into the sea. "Remember, you can only pick one." The line went silent for a moment before Hunter's icy voice came through. "Stellan, if you hurt them, I'll make you wish you were dead." Stellan burst into laughter. "Hunter, you're in no position to threaten me now. You have one hour. I'll be waiting." After the call ended, Nadine's heart pounded wildly. She knew Hunter would choose Serena. She had long prepared herself to be abandoned by him, yet despite this, an ache still spread through her chest. One hour later, Hunter appeared at the dock. His gaze swept over Nadine and Serena before settling on Stellan. His voice was freezing cold as he spat, "Stellan, let them go." Stellan sneered. "I told you, Mr. Goldman, you can only choose one. Make your decision now. Time's running out." Hunter's eyes moved between Nadine and Serena before he finally declared coldly, "I won't choose because I'm saving both of them. I won't abandon either one!" Nadine froze in shock. At the same time, Serena's eyes widened in disbelief, as if she couldn't believe what she'd just heard.