Chapter 169


    Chapter 169 Moore’s Malice


    A chill ran down my spine at the thought. I could not stay on the phone any longer. I hung up without


    another word..


    Mr. Zachary noticed my distress and could not help but ask, “Is everything alright, Madam?” I shook my


    head, doubting my own worries, and told him, “It’s nothing. Could you let Grandma and Idris know I’ve


    got an emergency at home and have to dash?”


    With that, I hit the down button on the elevator. Mr. Zachary looked like he wanted to say more, seeing


    how rushed I was, but he bit back his questions.


    I bolted from the hospital and made a beeline for Azure Bay. Along the way, I tried calling Maxwell, but


    it seemed he was tied up with something, as the call went unanswered.


    With no other choice, I rang my mom and told her to secure the house, lock all the doors and windows,


    and ignore any strangers at the door.


    She was puzzled but promised to follow my instructions. However, when I got to the Scotts‘ ce, the


    yard gate was wide open, and so was the front door.


    My heart skipped a beat, and I sprinted inside, calling out, “Mom!” The Scotts‘ living room was


    deserted, and my calls echoed unanswered. A sinking feeling told me something was terribly wrong, so


    I fumbled for my phone to call the cops.


    Just as I pulled it out, a hand mped over my mouth and nose from behind. A sharp scent filled my


    senses, and I instantly knew it was some kind of knockout gas. I tried holding my breath, but it was no


    use. Secondster, everything went ck.


    When I came to, I was staring at a scene of destruction: crumbling walls, rusty machines coated in


    dust, and broken ss littering the ground. It was obvious I was in some kind of deserted factory.


    My l*ps were sealed shut with duct tape, and I tried to scream for help but only managed a few muffled


    cries before realizing it was useless. I stopped trying.


    My hands were tied behind me to some rusty old machinery, leaving mepletely stuck.


    I struggled a few times but quickly ran out of energy. The ce was eerily silent, like I was the only


    person in the world. The sky was getting darker by the minute, and a chilly breeze whistled through the


    shattered windows, sending shivers down my spine.


    I had no idea how much time had passed when I finally heard footsteps outside.


    The door creaked open, and in stepped a pair of boots caked with mud, followed by Noah’s face,


    which looked a bit more worn than I remembered.


    Seeing him did not surprise me; if anything, my heart felt heavier.


    He noticed I was awake and sauntered over with his hands in his pockets, giving me a once–over with


    a creepy grin. He yanked the tape off my mouth and said, “You know, I never realized before how…


    interesting you look.”


    I stared back at him, my face a mask of cool indifference. “You’re not doing your son any favors by


    doing this, you know. Aren’t you worried he’lle into this world missing a few pieces?”


    That earned me a sharp p across the face.


    My mouth filled with the metallic taste of blood. I prodded my swollen cheek with my tongue and looked


    up at him, a mocking smile on my l*ps. “Touched a nerve, huh? I thought a thug like you wouldn’t care


    about anything. But I guess even you have a soft spot for your unborn kid.”


    Noah’s face darkened, and he red at me, his fingers digging into my cheek. “Watch your mouth


    about my son,” he hissed, “or you won’t live to see another sunrise.”


    I could not help butugh, shrugging off his grip. “Oh, so if I stop bad–mouthing your son, you’ll let me


    live to see the sunrise? How generous of you.”


    He burst into a wild, recklessugh. “You’ve got more brains than your sister. I never intended for you


    to see another sunrise. It’s a shame, really, but you left me no choice–you got in my way, and for that,


    you must die…” His hand shot to my throat, squeezing hard, and I was suddenly gasping for air. My


    b*dy felt like a balloon pumped too full, my face flushed crimson and my eyes aze with desperation.


    “Hold on, hubby.” Moore burst in, addressing Noah.


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    Noah shot her a look, his expression stormy and dangerous. “What is it?”


    Moore’s eyes flickered with spite as she nced at me, teetering on the edge of death. “Just letting her


    die is too kind. Maybe we should…”