CHAPTER 63
Kate woke up feeling exhausted. She scurried up gently, placing her hands on her belly.
She groaned, looking around her unfamiliar environment. Everything was different.
She was confused—she had been at the company, and now, she was in an unknown warehouse.
She placed her hand gently on a can beside her, steadying herself.
Scanning the area for an exit, she moved toward the dusty brown window.
Wiping the grime away, she peeped outside—it was an abandoned warehouse deep in the countryside.
"How did I get here? I was just at the company a moment ago, and now I'm here. What happened?" she asked herself, her eyes darting around the space, vigilant.
The door creaked open.
Three huge, armed men walked in, chatting indistinctly.
Kate scurried toward a trash can and sat gently beside it, feigning calm.
She grabbed a small iron rod, hiding it behind her back as she kept a neutral expression.
Her eyes scanned their formation, calculating how she could escape without getting hurt.
"Oh… wow, she's awake," the first man said, surprised.
"The fragile queen of the famous billionaire William Dray has finally gained consciousness," another added mockingly.
"What do you want? What do you want from me? Who sent you people?" she asked, curiously but firmly.
"Easy… easy… easy with the questions," the second guy said calmly. "Take it one by one. We're not rushing you. After all, we're not in Russia."
"Who sent you assholes?" she snapped, fiercely.
"What did you just say? 'Assholes'?" the third guy growled, his anger rising. "Seems like you're asking for pain."
"I'm sure you know who my husband is. He won't let you get away with this," Kate said, her voice sharp.
"Who? That lazy man dressed in rags?" the second man scoffed.
"Look at me," the first guy warned. "There's nothing your husband can do. He's not a god."
"Even though he's not a god," Kate said, narrowing her eyes, "I'm sure that if he gets his hands on you, you'll never forget the day you were born."
"You're a lamb in the middle of wolves, and you're still boasting?" the second guy sneered. "Who do you think you are?"
She gripped the rod tightly.
In one swift motion, she pulled it out and smashed it against the third man's head, pushing another aside with her free hand.
She ran as fast as her legs could carry her.
Reaching the door, she grabbed the knob and yanked—but it didn't open.
It was locked.
She turned back.
The three men were already approaching, the third one still clutching his head in pain.
The second man grabbed her roughly and threw her to the ground.
She curled into herself, covering her belly to protect the baby.
"Please… stop this," she begged, her voice trembling.
"We were playing nice before, but you didn't want to help the situation," the third man howled in pain.
They lifted her up and placed her on a chair, tying her hands and legs firmly.
"Let go!" she struggled.
"That's where you're staying for now," the first guy said coldly.
"You people are sent by my uncle, aren't you?" she asked, as the room seemed to spin around her.
"Can you just keep shut?" the first guy snapped. "We have no information about that uncle of yours."
"But why are you doing this to me?" she sobbed. "I'm pregnant. Please… consider my condition."
They ignored her.
Turning away, they began discussing her fate.
"Should we just kill her?" the third guy suggested.
"I don't think that's a good idea. We can't risk something like that," the first guy disagreed.
"We're dealing with powerful families here," the second man added.
"The S.E. is more powerful than the Dray family," he continued.
"I don't think that's true," the third man whispered. "Look at the way he embezzled so much money in one day—it looked like clean business."
"Don't let her hear you," the first guy warned, glancing her way.
Kate closed her eyes slowly, pretending to be unconscious.
---
Meanwhile, back at the Dray mansion…
William entered the mansion, heading straight for Kate's room.
He opened the door gently and stepped in, glancing around.
"Kate!" he called. "Kate! Kate!" he shouted again.
He checked the bathroom—nothing.
He checked the closet—empty.
He moved to the guest rooms—still nothing.
Growing more anxious, he stormed out to the workers' quarters.
"Has Kate come back from work?" he asked.
"Didn't she come back with you?" the blonde maid replied, puzzled. "I was wondering why she didn't arrive at her usual time… I thought she was coming with you."
"Oh… fuck!" he cursed, alarmed.
He pulled out his phone and quickly dialed Jeremy's number.
Jeremy picked up on the second ring.
"Hey! What's up? Why are you calling this late at night?" Jeremy's voice came through, half-asleep.
"Kate's missing," William announced flatly.
"What?!" Jeremy shouted, sitting upright. "You're joking, William."
"I came home and didn't find her. Launch a full-scale search for her," William ordered, his voice cold and commanding.
He hissed dangerously, then threw his phone to the floor. The maid flinched.
"You can go!" he barked, dismissing her angrily.
"Where are you, Kate? Where are you?" he muttered, pacing anxiously.
---
Seven minutes later…
William's phone rang. He picked it up, frowning as he saw the caller.
It was Mr. Carlos—Kate's uncle.
"Is he the one behind this again?" William muttered under his breath before answering.
"Well… well… well, my in-law," Carlos greeted mockingly. "Don't you think it's only right I gave you a call?"
"Go straight to the point," William said, his voice flat and cold.
"I'm calling to give you a warning," Carlos said, his tone sharpening. "Stop digging into a mess that isn't yours. If you want Kate back safely, stop investigating the past."
"Where is she?" William asked, his voice tense.
"Give me a straight answer. Will you stop investigating, or… do you not want to see your woman and your unborn child again?"
William clenched his fist, jaw tight with fury.
"What do you want?"
"I believe I've explained it already," Carlos replied. "Stop investigating."
"I don't think I can do that," William said, standing his ground.
"Do you think I'm joking around this time?" Carlos growled.
"I know you're not joking," William said, exhaling slowly. "But do you remember who you're giving this warning to?"
He paused, his tone turning deadly.
"Have you forgotten that I don't fear threats? I am the warning. I am the threat."
Carlos's palms began to sweat.
"You think I'll be scared because of your empty words?" Carlos shot back, trying to keep composure.
"You know I don't make empty threats," William said darkly. "My threats come with fire—and they burn everything to ash."