95

That night, he was positioned in front of the imposing Strong mansion, his dark silhouette outlined against the starry sky. He watched from a distance, searching for any weakness in the security.

According to his sources, Jarek had kept Nathan captive, and he knew that the young man hated his grandfather for separating him from his wife and children.

“Perfect,” he murmured to himself. “I’ll turn them against each other and destroy them one by one.”

He didn’t care that Nathan was his son, just as he hadn’t cared about killing Jeremy, his other son, when he got in his way.

“Nothing and no one will stand in my way,” he told himself, his thoughts filled with a cold determination.

Suddenly, he heard a noise and hid behind some bushes.

One of the guards was nearby. He didn’t know whether to make him faint to get into the mansion. He had few men and didn’t want to take unnecessary risks.

“I should have dealt with that old bastard already,” he murmured to himself. “There’s something hidden in there, something that belongs to me and that I’m going to reclaim.”

With his fists clenched, he vowed that unity would bring strength. He had his allies, and Jarek would end up alone.

At that very moment, Jarek Strong felt a shiver. Something in the air made him realize that danger was lurking that night. Immediately, he ordered his men to be on high alert.

The safety of his family depended on it. He called a trusted friend, requesting special forces to reinforce the surveillance while they continued searching for his grandson Nathan.

“I won’t let that damned Richard come near my family,” Jarek said firmly to himself. “Not while I’m still breathing.”

The Strong mansion was bracing for a night of uncertainty, as two men, driven by hatred and desperation, planned their next moves.

…



Enzo Mancini paced back and forth in his office, his mind working at full speed and his nerves on edge.

The walls were covered with maps and photographs, each marking a possible hideout, a clue, a trace of Nathan.

Finally, his phone vibrated, and the news he had been waiting for arrived. Without wasting a second, he called Jamie and Suzanne.

“Jamie, Suzanne, come quickly,” he said, urgency in his voice. “We have news about Nathan.”

Within minutes, they were standing before him, their faces reflecting a mix of hope and fear, waiting to hear the news.

“We’ve spotted him,” Enzo said, his voice serious. “Nathan is in one of the shelters, disguised as a vagabond to avoid being recognized by Richard and his grandfather.”

Suzanne let out a sob and covered her mouth with her hands, her eyes brimming with tears.

“Please, Enzo, rescue him,” she pleaded with a broken voice. “Don’t put yourself in more danger for us.”

“We’ll do everything we can, Suzanne,” Enzo looked at her with a mix of sadness and determination. “But you should know that Richard has taken out some of Jarek Strong’s guards. The old man is back at his mansion.”

Doubts attacked Suzanne like a swarm of bees. The fact that Jarek hadn’t approached her filled her with uncertainty.

Her heart was gripped by fear, as if a fist of ice was squeezing it. She couldn’t believe that the man had deceived everyone, but everything pointed to Jarek Strong being full of secrets, just like Nathan.

Enzo picked up his phone and began issuing rapid orders.

“I need you to hurry up and get Nathan out of the shelter,” he said seriously. “No one should come within a kilometer until we have him safe. Understood?”

Suzanne felt her heart in her throat. Everyone was on edge due to the situation, and she felt her head spinning with each passing second without news of her fiancé.

Suddenly, one of the guards around Nathan’s mansion reported that someone was approaching with many men. Everyone thought it was Richard.

Trembling, Suzanne moved towards her children, ready to flee. But before she could move, another report came in.

“It’s Jarek Strong!” the guard announced.

Suzanne was paralyzed, unsure of what to do. Confusion and fear overwhelmed her.

She knew she had to make a decision quickly, but who to trust was a mystery. Should she listen to the old Strong or risk endangering her life and her children’s?

“It’s not an easy decision,” Suzanne murmured to herself, her thoughts tangled. “But I can’t keep running.”

She took a deep breath and decided to confront Jarek Strong. She needed to hear his side of the story, even if it meant taking a risk.

“Perhaps an alliance at this moment is the best,” she thought, with a lump in her throat. “Am I risking too much? Please, God, help us.”

Enzo, seeing the determination in Suzanne’s eyes, supported her with a slight nod.

“Let’s hear what he has to say,” Enzo said. “But we’ll be ready for anything.”

The entire mansion prepared to receive Jarek. Suzanne, with her heart racing, waited in the main hall, her children clinging to her sides.

When Jarek Strong entered, his presence filled the room. He was a man of severe appearance, with eyes that seemed to see beyond the obvious.

“Suzanne, I’m deeply sorry for everything you’ve been through,” Jarek said in a grave voice. “I’m here to help you find Nathan and protect your family.”

Suzanne looked at him, trying to read beyond his words.

She knew this was a crucial moment. Her intuition told her to listen, even though distrust still lingered.

“Why should I trust you?” she asked, her voice trembling slightly.

“Because, even though it may not seem like it, I’ve lost a lot too,” Jarek replied, and she saw that his gaze was sincere. “Nathan is my grandson, and I want to save him just as much as you do.”

The words hung in the air, and Suzanne, making a decision, nodded slowly.

“Alright. We’ll do this together. But don’t think I’ve forgotten what you’ve done,” she looked at him reproachfully, and the old man sighed.

Jarek nodded, understanding the distrust.

“I know, and I will do whatever it takes to prove to you that we can be allies,” he extended his hand, and she shook it, somewhat unsure.

With one last glance at Enzo and Jamie, Suzanne knew she had made the right choice.

An alliance with Jarek Strong could be the key to saving Nathan and putting an end to Richard’s threat once and for all.

For the first time, Suzanne saw the concern on Jarek’s face regarding Nathan. This man almost never allowed anything to show in his features except when he looked at his great-grandchildren or smiled at her.

This time, his eyes reflected sadness and regret. She told herself that those eyes couldn’t lie because they were the reflection of the soul, and she felt moved seeing this desperate grandfather trying to find his grandson.

She approached Jarek and placed a hand on his shoulder, a gesture that made the old man falter and turn his face away so she wouldn’t see the tears in his eyes.

“Everything will be alright; we’ll find him safe and sound,” she said to try to encourage herself, though the lump in her throat wouldn’t disappear until Nathan was in front of her.

“I hope so. I don’t want to die before my grandson forgives me for all the wrongs I’ve done to him,” he said in a hoarse voice, filled with emotion.

“I want to find Xander safe and sound, for us to be a family again, and for that man to pay for his crimes,” she lifted her chin with determination, telling herself she had nothing to lose.

As night fell, resolution and courage filled Suzanne’s heart. It was time to face her fears and fight for her family.