Chapter 46
“Lucky for you. You’ve got one hell of a spine p>
Sebastian Blackwood finally exhaled, relief washing over him.
He called a nurse, had Lexi checked thoroughly, and repeated the standard warnings before leaving the room.
Lexi bit her fingers, scanning the unfamiliar room.
She wasn’t supposed to be here—she was locked in that safe room!
“I got you out,” Sebastian said, frowning at her confusion, impatience lacing his voice.
The night of the gala and premiere for Moonlight and Shadows should have been Lexi’s big moment.
She and Lauren were meant to attend, yet when Sebastian checked the broadcast, Lexi had been conspicuously absent.
Instead, Lauren and her accomplice stole the spotlight, hailed by the media as “the new era’s dynamic sisters p>
Lexi, given her nature, would never have missed such a crucial event.
He tried calling her—her phone dead.
Panic surged.
He found her only after scouring the venue, eventually discovering her unconscious in a sealed safe room, her pulse fast, fragile… almost dead.
For the first time, losing Lexi felt terrifying.
He already knew she feared the dark from their elevator incident, yet someone had locked her in a pitch-black room to sabotage her.
That audacity made his blood boil.
Whoever was behind it would pay.
Lexi nodded weakly, her dry lips whispering hoarsely, “Thank you… I just need a moment alone p>
Three days of unconsciousness, haunted by nightmares.
Crying in the middle of the night like a lost child.
Sebastian, though deeply concerned, respected her space.
As soon as he left, Lexi called Julian, her loyal friend.
She couldn’t let Sebastian see her in this fragile state—it was the last secret she had, the last scrap of dignity.
Julian arrived, concern etched across his face, holding back the urge to sweep her into his arms.
Reason prevailed.
“I’ll repay the rent as soon as I can,” Lexi said solemnly.
She had rented a modest apartment—simple, clean, her own sanctuary.
“No rush. Take care of yourself first,” Julian said, handing her a bowl of hot soup.
Watching her sip it, he finally relaxed.
Once alone, Lexi rested briefly, preparing for her night shift at the club.
Life didn’t wait for pity.
And as for Lauren and her partner-in-crime… even if she knew they’d trapped her, who would believe her?
Without proof, Sebastian would side with them, as always.
Any effort was useless in his eyes.
By midnight, Lexi returned from work, the cool summer breeze carrying the faint hum of the city.
The night felt freeing, the cicadas and crickets singing in harmony, and she hummed along to the music on her phone, unaware of the shadow behind her.
“You seem… happy p>
The voice chilled her to the bone—smooth, commanding, unmistakable.
Hell itself had spoken.
Sebastian.
Already here.
Already tracking her.
Lexi’s heart raced.
He had come so quickly, so effortlessly.
And she had dared to escape the hospital unnoticed?
Did she know how worried he had been when her room was empty, fearing she’d been captured?
The tracker on her phone showed her in the complex—only Julian could have helped her.
Only he.
Lexi snapped back to reality, sprinting toward her new apartment.
Sebastian didn’t have the keys.
Home was safe—for now.
But Sebastian was relentless.
He caught up as she fumbled with the door, pushing her inside with a controlled shove.
Off balance, she collapsed to the floor.
The door slammed behind her, a lock clicking into place.
Even if she called Julian now, he couldn’t enter.
Sebastian’s cold gaze swept the room, landing on Lexi hugging her injured knee.
His voice was low, menacing.
“Lexi… so eager to escape me p>
Without hesitation, she nodded.
They were from two different worlds.
Fate had briefly collided them, but when the chaos ended, it would be better for each to go their separate ways.
“You’re planning to go to Julian?” he probed, testing her resolve.
Her hands trembled but her voice was firm: “If it comes to that, I won’t let you touch him p>
Julian was her anchor, her light in the darkness.
No Sebastian Blackwood—no matter how powerful—would tarnish that.
Sebastian’s grip on her chin tightened, forcing her to meet his eyes.
“Do you really think you can protect him p>
Lexi’s body screamed in pain, but her stare was unwavering.
She trusted Julianstrength, his judgment, and her own.
“Tomorrow,” Sebastian finally said, voice dropping, almost casual, “you have one day to move back. Oh, and make sure you watch the news—I’ve got a surprise for you p>
He released her jaw, retrieved a handkerchief from his suit, wiped his hands, and tossed it carelessly to the floor before striding out.
Fearful of another confrontation, Lexi bolted the door behind him, curling into the floor like a wounded animal, letting out a soft whimper.
Morning came.
Lexi turned on the television to see Julian’s entertainment company under investigation—tax evasion, illegal recruitment of artists.
Every subsidiary was being shut down, all under Sebastian’s orchestrated surprise.
Her heart tightened at the sight of Julian being harassed by the press.
Sebastian’s “gift” was cruel—and deliberate.
Lexi took a deep breath.
No time to collapse.
The stakes were too high.
She tidied herself, then headed straight to Sebastian’s office.
No resistance.
He must have anticipated her arrival.
“This is the second time you’ve come to me willingly,” Sebastian said from behind his desk, turning slowly, amusement glinting in his eyes.
Both times, the purpose of her visits had nothing to do with him.
“Tell me,” he said, voice sharp, “what must I do to make you leave Julian alone p>
Her lips parted, voice steady despite the tremor beneath.
She would not let Julian fall into Sebastian’s web.
Sebastian slammed a pen onto the desk, ink splattering across Lexi’s face.
She didn’t flinch.
The game had escalated.
And the war had just begun.
This wasn’t just about Lexi and Sebastian Blackwood’s personal grudge anymore.
The stakes had escalated—this now involved the Blackwood family and the Reed family, their interests colliding over territory and influence.
As the tension between them reached a boiling point, Sebastian’s secretary knocked lightly on the office door.
“Boss, Miss Simone is here p>
Sebastian gave a curt nod, waving her off to handle the arrangements.