Reborn in the Enemy's Embrace

Rosemary’s eyes widened in surprise. Did she actually have an aunt she didn’t know about?

She watched as Mr. Elliot turned a shade of tomato red, the veins in his neck bulging, his eyes about to roll back in his head from the chokehold.

"Enough," Bard’s voice cut through the tension like a knife.

He needed to know where his wife was.

How could she possibly be alive?

After all, they had combed through every inch of the land with no trace to be found.

As his henchman released his grip, Mr. Elliot gasped for air, taking a while to catch his breath before he managed to speak.

"Sir, your wife fell off the cliff that year, and the sea was below. Sir, you had men searching the waters for over a month, but we never found her body. The truth is, she didn’t fall into the sea, but onto a tree. She was badly injured and unconscious, and I took her to Alexander’s place."

Hearing this, Bard shot to his feet and ordered the basement door to be flung open.

He stormed in, kicking Mr. Elliot to the ground and grabbing him by the collar in a furious grip.

"You knew how much she means to me, and you dared to keep this from me for so long, and even had the audacity to send her away. I should make you regret ever crossing me!"

The thought of his wife being at Alexander’s was like a knife to his heart.

Mr. Elliot knew the gravity of his actions, and although he too felt the weight of Bard’s sorrow, he was bound to obey.

What the master commanded, he did.

Trembling, Mr. Elliot confessed,

"Initially, Alexander only wanted to use your wife as leverage, to threaten you and break you by taking away your beloved. But then he fell for her, and he wouldn’t let her go."

"What did you say?" Bard, nearly losing his sanity with rage, clenched his fists, ready to strike.

"But Alexander has respected your wife. He hasn’t laid a finger on her, I swear," Mr. Elliot pleaded urgently.

"If she’s been harmed in any way, I’ll come back and tear you limb from limb!"

Bard stormed out of the basement, with Rosemary casting a glance at Mr. Elliot before quickly catching up with her uncle.

She had never seen him so incensed.

"Uncle Bard, are you going to confront Alexander?" Rosemary asked as they walked briskly.

"Rose, I’ll leave the hospital to you. Tonight, I’m bringing your aunt home. Take care of your grandpa and don’t let those vultures get to him," Bard commanded without breaking stride.

He couldn’t trust any of his men now, except for his own niece.

And she was the only one capable enough to ensure Grandpa’s safety.

Perhaps it was the shock of his wife still being alive, but Bard’s eyes shone with a steely resolve mixed with a thirst for vengeance.

Determined to bring her back, and furious that Alexander dared to cross him, he would not let this go lightly.

Rosemary understood that her uncle would stop at nothing to settle the score with Mr. Elliot for keeping the truth about her aunt hidden.

Tonight, Dawnstar would not know peace.

From this point on, the world would likely hear no more of Alexander and his so-called ’kingdom.’

To prevent Alexander’s men from targeting her grandfather, Rosemary decided to stay at the hospital for the night to ensure his protection.

After all, the hospital’s security didn’t hold a candle to her own skills.

She stepped outside, umbrella in hand, only to find Gordon still sitting in his car, not yet departed.

Gordon was taken aback when he saw her, quickly getting out of the car to inquire,

"Ms. Rose, what’s going on? Mr. Bard left in a hurry, and here you are following suit."

He had an inkling something significant was unfolding, but the specifics eluded him.

Rosemary locked eyes with him.

"Why haven’t you left yet?"

Gordon glanced at her before shifting his gaze elsewhere.

"I’m hurt. I need to rest in the car for a bit."

"Uncle Bard’s wife is still alive."

Rosemary didn’t hide anything. Looking straight into his eyes, she enunciated each word,

"She’s with Alexander. Uncle Bard has gone to demand her release. To prevent their people from storming the hospital, I need to go there and watch over Grandpa."

"Mrs. Griffith is still alive? Can it be true?"

Gordon was taken aback. After all the effort back in the day—scouring high and low—and they hadn’t found her, only for her to end up with Alexander.

It looked like tonight, it wasn’t just Alexander who would pay the price, but all his men would be skinned alive.

Hiding such a big secret from the boss... they really must be tired of living.

"Ms. Rose, let me take you to the hospital," Gordon said as he came back to reality, offering to help.

"There’s no need. Uncle Bard asked you to rest."

"An extra assistant is always helpful, especially tonight. It’s not like any other night. Your Grandpa’s life is the top priority. We can’t afford any oversights. Let me accompany you, and I’ll also call in some extra help to ensure your and Mr. Darren’s safety," Gordon insisted, even going so far as to open the car door for her, urging her to get in.

Seeing his determination, Rosemary got into the car.

Gordon was somewhat pleased and hurried to start the engine.

The hospital room was quiet except for Rosemary and Gordon, the only two remaining in the soft hum of the sterile space.

Gordon stole a glance at the girl’s striking profile, his heart hammering in his chest. He quickly averted his gaze, his voice laced with nervousness.

"Ms. Rose, I’m here if you need anything. You can rest after you’re done with the report."

"I’m not tired."

"Should I get you a glass of water?"

"I’m not thirsty." Rosemary flipped to the third page of the report, her eyelids never lifting.

"Maybe I can have some food brought in."