Alex bolted out of the meeting room the moment he received the call from his security team. His heart pounded as he made his way back to his office, his mind racing with the worst possible scenarios. Isabella was missing, and the one person who came to mind was Ethan. That snake had been lurking in the shadows for far too long, and now, Alex feared he had finally made his move.
Inside his office, Victor was already coordinating with the security team. Maps of the city were spread across the desk, and the team was tracking every camera and car in the vicinity of where Isabella had last been seen.
"Tell me everything," Alex demanded as he stormed into the room, his voice filled with barely restrained rage.
Victor looked up, his face tense. "Isabella went out for a walk just outside the office. Our men kept an eye on her, but within minutes, she was approached by a car. The footage shows that the driver was Ethan. We've lost them, Alex, but we're tracking all possible exits from the city."
Alex clenched his fists, his mind buzzing with fury. Ethan had dared to take Isabella, and that was a mistake he wouldn't live long enough to regret.
"He's going to try to take her somewhere remote," Alex said, pacing the room. "Ethan knows the city is covered with security, and he wouldn't want to risk staying here for long."
Victor nodded in agreement. "We have men on every major route out of Tokyo. We'll find him."
Alex stopped pacing and turned to face Victor, his eyes blazing with determination. "I need to know where that bastard is taking her. Find him, Victor. Do whatever it takes."
Victor immediately set to work, calling in favors, pulling every string in their network to track Ethan's movements. Meanwhile, Alex dialed his father, informing him of the situation. Within minutes, the entire Zhou family was mobilized, pulling resources from both their business and personal security teams to track down Isabella.
---
Meanwhile, inside a dimly lit, unfinished building on the outskirts of the city, Isabella was bound to a chair, her wrists chafing against the rough rope. Her heart raced, but her mind remained focused. She had to stay calm. She had to think.
Ethan stood in front of her, pacing back and forth, his eyes filled with a dangerous glint. He hadn't spoken much since they had arrived, but the tension in the air was palpable.
"You should have been mine," Ethan finally said, breaking the silence. His voice was low, almost a growl, as he stopped in front of her. "Everything could have been perfect if you had just chosen me."
Isabella swallowed hard, her voice steady as she spoke. "I never loved you, Ethan. I don't know why you're doing this."
Ethan's face twisted with anger. "Because you belong to me, Isabella! Alex took you from me, and I will get you back. No matter the cost."
She shook her head, her eyes narrowing. "You're delusional if you think I'd ever leave Alex for someone like you."
His hand lashed out, gripping her chin tightly. "You'll change your mind soon enough," he hissed. "Once Alex is out of the picture, you'll have no choice but to be with me."
Fear shot through Isabella, but she didn't let it show on her face. "Alex will come for me," she said, her voice filled with defiance. "And when he does, you'll regret this."
Ethan sneered, letting go of her chin and stepping back. "We'll see about that," he said. "But by the time he finds us, it'll be too late. I have a special surprise planned for him."
Isabella's heart pounded as she realized Ethan wasn't just after her—he had something much more sinister in mind for Alex.
---
Back at the office, Alex received a message from one of his contacts. They had traced the car Ethan had used to kidnap Isabella, and it was seen heading toward the docks. His blood ran cold. If Ethan was taking her to the docks, it could mean only one thing: he was planning to leave the country with her.
"We've got him," Victor said as he entered the room, holding up a tablet with a live feed of the docks. "Our men have spotted the car Ethan was using. They're at one of the old warehouses by the water."
Without hesitation, Alex grabbed his jacket and headed for the door. "Let's go. I want every available man at those docks. Ethan is not leaving this city with my wife."
Victor followed close behind, calling in the rest of the team as they rushed to the cars waiting outside the office. Time was running out, and Alex knew that every second counted.
---
At the docks, Ethan's men were preparing a boat, while Isabella was dragged toward the water. Her heart pounded as she tried to think of a way to escape, but the tight grip of Ethan's henchmen made it impossible for her to break free.
Ethan watched with a twisted smile as his men prepared everything for their departure. "Once we're on the boat, we'll be gone, and no one will ever find us," he said, his voice dripping with arrogance.
Isabella glared at him. "Alex will find me. He always does."
Ethan smirked. "Not this time."
But before Ethan could continue gloating, the sound of screeching tires filled the air. A fleet of black cars came speeding toward the docks, and Isabella's heart soared with hope.
Alex had found her.
Ethan's face twisted in rage as he realized his plan was falling apart. "Get her on the boat!" he barked at his men, but it was too late.
Alex's men swarmed the docks, engaging Ethan's henchmen in a fierce battle. Victor led the charge, taking down several of Ethan's men with swift precision.
Alex, meanwhile, made his way through the chaos, his eyes locked on Ethan and Isabella. His heart pounded as he fought his way toward them, determined to get to his wife before it was too late.
Ethan, realizing he was outnumbered, grabbed Isabella and held a knife to her throat. "One more step, Alex, and she's dead!" he shouted.
Alex froze, his eyes filled with fury as he stared at Ethan. "Let her go, Ethan. This is over."
Ethan sneered. "Not until I get what I want."
But before he could make another move, Isabella kicked backward, catching Ethan off guard. In that split second, Alex rushed forward, knocking Ethan to the ground and disarming him.
As Ethan lay on the ground, Alex stood over him, his fist clenched. "You'll never touch her again," he said through gritted teeth.
Ethan glared up at him, but he knew it was over. The sound of sirens filled the air as the police arrived to take Ethan into custody.
Alex rushed to Isabella, pulling her into his arms. She clung to him, her body trembling with relief. "I knew you'd come," she whispered.
"I'll always come for you," Alex said, holding her close. "Always."