Chapter 24 – Kidnapped
I leaned against the windowpane, watching the rain tap gently against the glass.
The morning air smelled like peace. For the first time in weeks, my chest felt lighter.
Lorenzo’s face when he found out about Renata, Dante, and Ariella… It was everything I had imagined.
The shock. The helplessness. The silent scream in his eyes. I replayed it in my mind like a favorite song.
“Serves him right,” I muttered.
I walked downstairs in my robe, humming. Mateo had texted earlier, checking in. My father and grandfather were already out handling some Calderon business.
The house was quiet except for the faint sound of the kitchen staff preparing lunch. Not long after, I dressed in a cream jumpsuit and headed to the Calderon tower.
I had a meeting with my grandfather. Apparently, he had something important to show me. When I arrived, he greeted me with a proud smile.
‘You look radiant,” he said, hugging me. “Come. There’s something I’ve been working on.”
He led me to his private office where a huge binder sat open on the table. He gestured for me tc
sit.
‘I’m working on a merger,” he began. “One that will place you as the face of three of ou International branches. The Calderon name is strong, Sophia. But yours-your story-makes it egendary.”
stared at the documents, stunned. “You’re handing all this to me?”
He smiled. “It’s always been yours. You just had to survive long enough to claim it.”
blinked back emotion. “Thank you… I’ll make you proud.”
‘Alright, go on. I have to go meet with some senators and submit my proposal to them so we can take our business public with you as the face,” he said.
kissed his cheeks and left. I had barely arrived back home and kicked off my shoes when my
phone rang.
It was an unknown number.
I answered with a frown. “Hello?”
“Guess who,” a sweet, poisonous voice said.
I froze. “Renata.”
“Smart girl,” she cooed. “We know you’ve been playing detective with Mateo. We know you rescued the doctor’s daughter. Good job.”
“What do you want?” I asked coldly.
“Oh, nothing much. Just the Moretti shares. The ones you stole.”
“Stole?” I laughed bitterly. “What I took doesn’t equate what you and Lorenzo stole from me.”
“Well,” she said, voice dripping with malice, “if you want your grandfather alive, you’ll hand them over.”
My blood went cold. “What did you say?”
“Don’t act surprised. He was an easy target. Old man, few guards. We were very gentle. For now.” “You touch him and I’ll—”
“You’ll do nothing,” Dante’s voice cut in suddenly. “You’ll follow instructions or we’ll send you hi head in a gift box.”
The line went dead.
stood there, shaking. My chest rose and fell rapidly. No. No. Not my grandfather.
My knees gave out. I sank to the floor.
A guard ran in. “Miss Calderon! Are you okay?”
couldn’t speak.
Then I did the only thing that made sense-I called Mateo.
Twenty minutes later, Mateo burst into my room. He looked furious.
‘Where is he?” he asked.
They took him,” I whispered, curling into myself on the couch. “Renata and Dante… They want he Moretti shares or they’ll kill him.”
He knelt in front of me. “Hey, look at me. We’ll get him back. I promise.”
Tears slid down my cheeks. “I can’t lose him, Mateo. I can’t.”
He pulled me into his arms. His scent, warm and familiar, surrounded me. I clung to his shirt like à lifeline.
I should’ve known they’d do something like this,” I whispered.
Mateo pulled back gently. “We’re going to find them. But we need a plan.”
A loud commotion echoed from the hallway.
We both turned as the doors flew open.
.orenzo stormed in, pushing past two guards who tried to restrain him.
Get your hands off me!” he snapped.
My body stiffened.
‘What are you doing here?” I asked, standing up.
Lorenzo’s eyes were red. His suit was wrinkled, hair slightly disheveled. He looked like a man on the edge.
‘I had nowhere else to go,” he said quietly. “Sophia… I’ll do anything. Just… just tell me what to
do.”
I scoffed. “Anything? Can you bring back Ariella? Can you undo everything you did to me?” He flinched.
“I was wrong,” he said. “I know that now. I’ve lost everything. My company. Our daughter. And
you… I don’t expect forgiveness. But maybe I can still fix something.”
Mateo stood beside me, arms crossed. “Why should we believe anything you say?”
Lorenzo looked at him. “Because I owe her.”
“My grandfather was kidnapped by Renata, get him back for me then,” I snapped.
Lorenzo frowned, “Renata kidnapped your grandfather?”
“Yes with Dante. They want your shares,” I answered.
“I’ll help. I hope you can forgive me.”
I stared at him for a long moment. “Fine. Help me get my grandfather back. Then we’ll see.”
He nodded once, solemnly. “You have my word.”
As he turned to leave, Mateo leaned toward me and whispered, “I still don’t trust him.”
“Neither do I,” I whispered back. “But if he’s useful… we’ll use him.”
Lorenzo’s Pov
