Free Web NovelChapter 235: HOPE
Finnegan
Mother had gone too fucking far. Barely two hours ago, I was on a call with Arnold. His voice crackled through the phone as he told me Owen was missing at the cabin and there was blood everywhere.
That just told me shit had hit the fan in the not-so-pretty way. My mother and my brother must have gotten to him first.
They knew we were closing in, and they had eliminated the only living witness who could tie them to the murder of Abigail’s parents. I hadn’t expected them to hack off Owen’s head and deliver it to my girlfriend like some first-century barbarians.
After giving Arnold orders to tip the police, I ended the call and immediately dialed Benjamin’s number.
"Mr. Wolfe,"
"We have a problem. Owen Smith is missing and is likely taken or worse, dead. Is there any other way to keep the case from being archived without a living witness?"
Benjamin sighed heavily on the other end. "Sir, I wish I had better news. The judge is strict on this. Without a witness who can testify to the events surrounding the crash and the threats, the evidence alone might not be enough to stop the archiving."
Fan-fucking-tastic.
"Wait." My brows snapped together as a thought cut through my mind. "What about Abigail? She’s the victim’s daughter. She was in the car that night. She remembers the crash vividly now, and she recognizes Devin as the man who tried to kill her afterward. Doesn’t that make her a credible witness?"
Benjamin went quiet for a moment. I heard the sound of papers shuffling on his end.
"Yes." That had to be the first time I had heard his voice carry the energy of an excited teenager.
"She absolutely counts as a witness. Her testimony about the events of that night, combined with the physical evidence and the files from Cole’s phone, should be strong enough to force the case to remain open. I’ll file it immediately to prevent archiving."
Relief moved through me like a current.
"Thank you. Do it fast."
I ended the call and immediately tried Abigail’s number. It rang out. That was odd. I frowned and called again. This time, Dennis, the head of the security team at Wolfe Corporation, picked up.
"Boss? Something’s happened with Miss Kellerman. She just collapsed in the parking lot. We’re with her now."
That got me out of the house like the world was on fire. Because it fucking was. I never should have left her alone at the office.
I grabbed my jacket, telling James to drive like hell. The entire ride, my mind churned with fear. Abigail didn’t faint easily.
Something must have happened. I called the hospital and had them dispatch a doctor to the building before I arrived.
When we pulled up, the doctor was already there, examining her in the back seat of her car. Security had formed a tight circle around her. Abigail was unconscious and pale, but her chest rose and fell steadily.
The doctor looked up as I approached. "She’s in shock, Mr. Wolfe. Something triggered a severe panic attack, but her vitals are stable now. We should get her home to rest."
I nodded, sliding into the back seat beside her. I gathered her carefully into my arms, checking her face and arms for any fresh bruises or injuries.
She looked so fragile like this, and I had never felt so fucking guilty for leaving her alone to deal with Victoria’s mess.
James drove us home while I held her close, whispering to her even though she couldn’t hear me. "I’ve got you, baby. You’re safe. I’m here."
When we reached the house, River and Annette rushed out, bombarding me with questions as I carried Abigail inside.
"What happened?" River asked, following me up the stairs.
Annette’s eyes were wide with terror. "Is she okay? Did someone hurt her?"
"I don’t know yet," I bit out. "The guards said she just started screaming and collapsed. She’s not visibly injured anywhere."
I laid her gently on our bed and sat beside her, pressing a cool damp towel to her face and neck.
A few minutes later, her eyelids fluttered. She woke with a start, eyes wide with terror, and that brought us straight to right now — her body slumped against mine as her breathing slowly steadied.
There was a mole, or maybe even several, inside Wolfe Corp working for my mother.
"I think I know who the mole is."
I gazed down at her. "Who?"
Her blue eyes flickered with wariness before she tried to pull away.
I drew her back gently against me. "Where do you think you’re going?"
"To get my tablet," she grumbled, gesturing weakly toward the door. "Wait, where’s my tablet?"
"It’s in the car," I muttered.
"Sit your ass in bed," Annette snapped. "Let me get it for you. You’re still weak."
She managed a sheepish smile as Annette slipped out of the room, River following behind to fetch some water.
Five minutes later, Annette returned and pressed the tablet into her hands. Abigail logged into the company portal and walked us through it — the day she spotted Jeff sneaking into my building, another employee in identical clothes had appeared out of nowhere.
"There’s no way it was a coincidence because the bastard actually shoved me. He’s definitely the mole."
She scrolled through the list of registered employees at Wolfe Corp and pressed her finger to a name on the screen. "It’s him. I’m sure of it." freewёbnoνel.com
"Mike Conrad," I muttered, studying the name before pulling out my phone and firing off a quick message to Dennis.
’When this employee arrives tomorrow, bring him straight to my office.’
I drew Abigail back into my arms, holding her close. "You did well. We’ll handle him, okay?"
She leaned into me, exhaling slowly. "What about my parents’ case? Owen is dead. Our only witness is gone."
"He’s not our only witness." I reached down, brushing the hair from her face.
"Benjamin confirmed that you count as a witness. Your testimony about that night is enough to keep the case open. It won’t be archived."
Her blue eyes lit up with something fragile and hopeful. "Really?"
"Really." I pressed my lips to her cheek. "We’re one step closer. The case will stay open, and not even my mother with all her resources can keep it buried."
