Chapter 618 - 618 Ground
Thomas met with his man in a dimly lit parking garage on the outskirts of the city.
It was quick and efficient—just the way he liked things.
They reviewed the details one last time, going over every step with precision.
The plan was deliberately simple. No theatrics, no unnecessary risks.
The kind of classic, straightforward kidnapping that wouldn't draw attention until it was too late.
Just a clean grab and go.
"It won't be hard," his man assured him. "We've kept it old school. No tech, no loose ends."
Thomas nodded. That was exactly what he wanted to hear.
Once everything was in place, he gave the signal to wait.
Timing was crucial, and he wasn't about to rush it.
Patience was something he'd mastered over the years.
For now, the best move was to act natural, to maintain appearances.
And that meant continuing his usual visits to Jade.
He showed up at her office just like he always did—confident, charming, pretending as if nothing else in the world mattered.
Jade was in the middle of reviewing some contracts, but when her assistant told her Thomas was here, she set them aside without complaint.
It was rare for her to break routine for anyone, but Thomas was different.
He wasn't just another businessman.
He was her biggest investor, the man whose money had taken her company to the next level.
That kind of influence came with privileges—even the privilege of wasting her time.
They sat in her office, a private corner suite on the top floor with a view that overlooked the city skyline.
The table between them held a tray of delicate pastries, fruit, and tea—afternoon snacks she usually reserved for high-profile clients or personal indulgence.
"How does he even manage to keep all of you satisfied?" Thomas asked, reaching for a slice of kiwi, his tone laced with disbelief.
He shook his head slowly, trying to wrap his mind around what he'd heard.
"Ross? More than two dozen women, right? Every single day? That's not just insane, it's physically impossible."
He wasn't being subtle—he didn't care to be.
The jealousy in his voice was thinly veiled beneath forced laughter, and Jade could see right through it.
Jade smiled, leaning back in her chair with an amused look in her eyes.
"He's more of a man than you can even begin to understand, Thomas. There's simply no comparison at all." Her voice was calm, but there was an edge to it—one that made it clear she wasn't exaggerating. Not in the slightest.
Thomas gave a low whistle, then laughed again, this time more bitterly.
"That's crazy," he muttered, almost to himself. His ego didn't take hits easily, but Ross—Ross was something else.
The way Jade talked about him made Thomas feel small, and he didn't like that feeling one bit.
Despite the tension in the air, Jade seemed perfectly at ease.
She sipped her tea, legs crossed, eyes glinting with quiet superiority.
She didn't have to explain anything to Thomas, and she knew it.
He might hold the money, but Ross held something far more valuable: her admiration, her attention, her loyalty. And perhaps more.
Thomas watched her closely, feeling that quiet burn in his chest. He had everything—wealth, influence, power.
But no matter what he did, Jade never looked at him the way she talked about Ross. And that made this whole game much more personal.
Still, he smiled back. Polite. Controlled. After all, everything was already in motion.
And soon, Ross would be out of the picture.
Thomas didn't make any overt moves on Jade that week. There was no point anymore.
Not with what he had planned. The decision had been made days ago, and the wheels were already in motion.
He kept up appearances—friendly, flirtatious even—but he was already looking beyond the surface, thinking about what would come next.
And then the weekend arrived.
It was a cool, gray Saturday afternoon.
The sky hung low, threatening rain, and the streets were soaked in that dull, metallic light that comes just before a storm.
The perfect weather for what was about to happen.
Jade was returning home from the office.
She had stayed later than usual, catching up on reports and attending a few last-minute virtual meetings.
Her driver was not Brandon today—Ross's number one, the undead bodyguard who could pass for human better than most people actually were.
Brandon was precise, lethal, and calm under pressure.
But Jade didn't request him unless Thomas was involved.
She didn't think she needed him today. After all, it was just a regular ride home.
Her current driver, another of Ross's reanimated soldiers, was less personable but just as loyal.
These men didn't breathe. They didn't tire. And they obeyed orders without question.
Jade of course did not know that.
In her mind, she was perfectly safe.
The time was just past five o'clock when they turned onto a quieter stretch of road—one of those back routes she liked for its privacy and lack of traffic.
That was when it happened.
Without warning, a black SUV veered into the street ahead of them and stopped, blocking their path.
A split second later, another vehicle slammed into position behind them. The trap closed instantly. There was no time to react.
The driver's hands tightened on the wheel, and he glanced at the rearview mirror, catching Jade's eye.
"What the hell…?" she murmured, leaning forward.
Before she could say more, the SUV doors flew open. Masked men in tactical gear poured out, rifles raised and aimed directly at the car.
Their movements were quick, practiced—military, maybe mercenary. Professional.
"TURN OFF THE CAR OR DIE!" one of them barked, voice muffled by a mask but laced with deadly seriousness.
Jade's heart pounded, but her face remained composed. She looked at the driver again.
He waited for her signal.
She gave him a slight nod. He obeyed without hesitation, powering down the engine.
The men moved in fast, circling the car. One of them yanked at the door handle.
"Locked," one of them growled. "Unlock the doors. Now."
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