Chapter 362


    Hearing this, Teo''s stride faltered, a momentary hitch in his otherwise confident gait. "Do you think


    I''m a notorious womanizer, too?" Teo furrowed his brows, concern etching his face.


    "Isn''t that the truth? You and Leonora fight all the time. Isn''t it usually about this very thing?"


    Teo exhaled deeply, his breathden with unspoken troubles. "The reason Leonora and I argue…


    it''s because ever since the kidnapping incident, I haven''t been with her."


    "Why not? Have you found someone else?" Ian asked, his curiosity piqued.


    "No, it''s because I''ve lost my ability to perform as a man. I''ve seen countless doctors and


    undergone endless tests, and all reportse back stating I''m perfectly healthy. Yet nothing works.


    “I thought maybe my interest in Leonora had waned, so I soughtpany elsewhere but soon


    realized I had no interest in any of them.


    ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org .


    “Everyone assumes I''m out there ying the field, but the truth is I haven''t touched anyone.


    Instead, I feel a deep repulsion. My therapist says it''s a psychological issue, but years of treatment


    have done little. I''ve given up hope."


    This was the first time Ian truly confronted the reality of his father''s struggles. He had grown up with


    the belief that his parents'' quarrels stemmed from his father''s infidelities. It was this belief that had


    made his family so forgiving toward Leonora all these years. Even Grandma Rose had thought her


    son had mistreated Leonora.


    However, the truth was far different than Ian had imagined.


    Just then, Ian''s phone buzzed to life. Seeing Edwin''s number, he immediately hit ''answer.'' "Eddie,


    what''s the situation?" Ian asked urgently.


    Ian could hear the panic in Edwin''s voice. "Ian, get back here now! The suspect''s been cornered,


    but he''s taken ra hostage on the hotel rooftop. He''s given you ten minutes to show up, or he''s


    threatening to jump with her."


    Ian''s heart seemed to stop, his blood turning to ice for a split second before he sprang into action.


    "Put him on the phone. I need to talk to him," Ianmanded as he dashed out, his phone in hand.


    He floored the elerator of his ck Rolls-Royce Cullinan, which tore through the night like a bolt


    of lightning.


    After several tense seconds, a chilling, sinisterugh came through the phone. "Ian, you''ve got ten


    minutes. Anyter, and you''ll be collecting pieces of your woman."


    The sounds of ra''s struggle were audible in the background, and Ian gripped the steering wheel


    tighter, forcing himself to remain calm. "Don''ty a finger on her. Whatever you want, I''ll agree to it,"


    he said through gritted teeth.


    The manughed heartily. "What if I want to trade her for Hayes Corporation? Would you agree to


    that?"


    Without hesitation, Ian replied, "Yes, I would agree, but you must ensure her safety."


    The man''s scoff was cold. "I never thought the ruthless CEO of Hayes Corporation, who''s known for


    his cold indifference, would hand over his empire for a woman. Fine, bring me the shares transfer


    paperwork. No dys."


    Then, the call ended.


    The man, holding a knife, gently traced ra''s pale face, his voice a dark murmur. "No wonder Ian''s


    willing to trade the empire built by the Hayes family for you. Your face is quite charming. What do


    you think, if I were to slice it up, would he lose his mind?" He mocked, mimicking a shing motion


    across ra''s cheek.


    Edwin, standing nearby, spoke up with a chilling steadiness, "If you so much as touch a hair on her


    head, I swear I''ll tear you apart limb by limb."