Meanwhile, at the Everly family estate, Emma listened to her subordinate''s report and became so enraged that she hurled her phone against the wall.


    "You were in the forest first, but you let Finnian find her? What the hell am I paying you for?"


    The man in sunsses and the man in the suit stood before her, their heads bowed. The sunssed man had a bandage over one eye and dried blood on his face, while the other man''s suit was covered in dirt. Neither dared to speak.


    When no one answered, Emma furiously swept several teacups off the table, but the rage in her chest still burned.


    She had been so sure she could get rid of Amara today, that the little bitch would disappear from the face of the earth, and Finnian would finally agree to marry Liliana.


    But now Amara had been rescued-and by Finnian himself. This would only bring them closer. What was she going to do now?


    “Ma''am, please don''t be angry. I can try again when I get the chance," the man in sunsses offered in a low voice.


    He couldn''t believe that he, a man over six feet tall, had been outsmarted by a slip of a girl. If word of this got out, his reputation on the streets would be ruined.


    He was desperate for another chance, not just toplete Emma''s task, but to salvage his own pride.


    But Emma shook her head. "No, wait for my instructions."


    After this kidnapping attempt, Amara would be on high alert. Another opportunity like this wouldn''te easily. She would have to observe and wait.


    Her two henchmen understood. They exchanged a look and fell silent.


    After they were dismissed, Liliana approached Emma. "Mrs. Everly," she asked softly, "were you behind what happened to Amara today?"


    Emma had brought Liliana with her to meet the men. As they were in the same boat, she knew Liliana would keep her secret. There was no need to hide it.


    Emma nodded. "I was. But those useless fools failed."


    Liliana felt a pang of disappointment. It would have been perfect if Amara had died today.


    But she kept her opinion to herself. It was better to know and stay quiet than to offer suggestions. She would wait for Emma to decide the next move.


    The next day, Amara woke in her hospital bed, the memory of the kidnapping rushing back to her.


    She sat up slowly and drank the


    ss of lukewarm water a nurse et


    had left on her nightstand. Thinking back on yesterday''s events still sent ashiver of fear down her spine


    A nurse came in to change her dressings. Shortly after, Elysia and Keith arrived


    with breakfast, and the three of them began to eat.


    Elysia had stayed the night to keep herpany. Keith had gone home but had returned early this morning, meeting up with Elysia to pick breakfast on the way


    "I bought some breakfast buns from that ce you like," Keith said. “Let''s eat them while they''re hot."


    Knowing Amara''s fondness for them, both he and Elysia had thought to get her favorite breakfast.


    Amara nodded, and they began to eat, discussing who might have been behind the kidnapping.


    The list of Amara''s enemies was short enough to count on one hand. They narrowed it down to four people: Elowen, Fiona, Amelia Abbott, and Emma.


    Amara felt all four had a motive, though it was likely Elowen and Fiona had worked together, or-


    perhaps Elowen and Amelia in any case, the culprit was almost certainly one of them.


    ***