Chapter 78

Angela POV

Consciousness returned slowly, like wading through thick fog.

The first thing I registered was cold-a deep, bone-chilling cold that seemed to seep through my clothes.

Then came the awareness of restraints around my wrists and ankles, professional-grade zip ties cutting into my skin.

My head throbbed, the lingering effects of chloroform making the dim room spin slightly. As my vision cleared, I took in my surroundings: sleek steel storage units lined the walls, their high-security locks gleaming dully in the half-light.

Stay calm, I told myself, fighting down the surge of panic as I thought of my unborn child.

The doctor's warnings about stress during the first trimester echoed in my mind.

"Finally awake?" The voice came from behind me, followed by deliberate footsteps. "I was starting to worry I'd used too much chloroform."

I recognized him instantly-the same man who'd threatened me at the crosswalk, who I'd seen working security at Christina's parties.

As I watched him, the pieces suddenly clicked into place. Christina's dramatic disappearance from the hospital, the timing of it all-it wasn't just about luring Sean away. She was crafting herself a perfect alibi.

He moved into my field of vision, carrying a designer travel bag that looked jarringly out of place against his knockoff suit.

The bag's presence sent a chill down my spine-what exactly did he have planned?

"If you promise not to scream," he said, studying my face, "I'll remove the tape."

I nodded slowly, maintaining eye contact. When he peeled the tape away, I didn't give him the satisfaction of wincing at the sting.

"I've seen you before," I said quietly, watching his reaction. "Not just from when you pushed me the other day. Years ago, at one of Christina's evening parties." I paused deliberately, as if searching my memory.

"Your name is... Mike, isn't it?"

His eyes widened slightly, a flash of surprise crossing his face before he could mask it.

"You remember me？" It wasn't a question. His tone carried a mix of surprise and something else-satisfaction?

"Mike," I said, keeping my voice steady. "You worked security at Christina's summer garden party. And the New Year's Eve celebration at the Plaza."

A flicker of emotion crossed his face-pleasure at being remembered, quickly masked by determination. "Then you know why I'm doing this."

"Because Christina asked you to?" I watched his expression carefully. "Or did she just manipulate you into thinking this was your idea?"

His hand shot out, gripping my chin. "Don't talk about her like that. You're the one who pushed her into that statue, who tried to ruin her face-"

"Is that what she told you?" I met his gaze steadily. "Did she mention that she orchestrated that entire scene? That her friend Jennifer was the one who attacked me first?"

"Shut up!" But I caught the momentary doubt in his eyes. "You rich people are all the same-thinking you can twist everything to suit your narrative."

"I know more about you than you might think," I said carefully. "Would you like to know why I remember you?"

Mike's expression shifted, curiosity warring with his attempt to maintain control. "Why?" His lips curved into a forced smirk. "Don't tell me it's because I'm so handsome."

"I don't find that joke amusing at all," I replied quietly.

"That night, at Christina's party, there was a woman whose dress was torn by a stray cat. The dress was worth a hundred thousand dollars. She insisted on having the cat killed right there and then."

I watched his face carefully as recognition dawned. "But you stopped her. You even adopted the cat afterward, despite her threats to have you fired."

Mike's practiced sneer faltered, genuine emotion flickering across his features.

"That's why I believe there's goodness in you," I continued softly. "In that moment, you showed more nobility than any of the wealthy people present. You chose to protect a helpless creature, regardless of the cost to yourself."

I pressed, ignoring the way his fingers dug into my jaw. "Tell me, Mike, did she promise you something? A better position? A chance at that society life you've been watching from the sidelines?"

Mike let go of my chin, stood up, stepped back a few paces, and then pulled out his phone to check it.

The confidence he'd shown earlier was crumbling. His fingers kept fidgeting with his collar as if his tie was suddenly too tight.

Each time he glanced in my direction, the conflict in his eyes grew more obvious. The mask of the hardened criminal was slipping, revealing the man who'd once risked his job to save a stray cat.

"Stop trying to manipulate me!" But I could hear the uncertainty creeping into his voice.

"I'm not manipulating you, Mike. I'm trying to save you from being manipulated." I softened my tone.

His silence told me I'd hit the mark.

"But here's what you don't know," I continued carefully. "Christina isn't acting out of some misguided sense of justice. She's scared. Because I know something that could ruin her perfect plan-something that would make Sean choose me over her without hesitation."

Mike's head snapped around. "What are you talking about?"

Before I could answer, a sharp knock echoed through the storage unit. We both froze, listening to footsteps approaching from the corridor outside.

The warehouse door suddenly slammed hard.

"Mike, don't listen to her. She's lying."

A familiar voice shouted from outside.