When Love Is a Lie

Damian only learned of the shutdown last night when Sundrift’s representative called him

“What | want is simple,” Damian continued, his tone sharp. “You giveall the evidence you've collected, and

I'll release her. The sooner you act, the less she

sullers

Noel rose to his feet, his expression as cold as ever. “She's your flancée. What you do with her is your business.

But I'll remind you that kidnapping and causing harm will only add to your crimes. Whether it's Whitney, Amy, or

Rachel, Damian, stop before its too late. Think of Uncle Samuel and Aunt Emily.”

Before Damian could respond, Billy's phone rang. Answering it, Billy's face turned grim as he leaned into whisper

something to Darnian.

Damian's expression darkened immediately. He strode toward the stairs but stopped after a few steps, turning

back to Noel. “Your tis running out. If you want to see her alive, do as | say.”

With that, he stormed out. Moments later, the sound of car engines raced to life as three vehicles sped away,

disappearing into the distance.

For Damian to abruptly end negotiations and leave in such haste, something significant must have happened.

Noel's eyes narrowed as he contemplated the situation Pulling out his phone, he called Dariel while descending

the stairs.

“What's the update?

“No sign of her yet,” Daniel replied. “But someone spotted the van driver. We're tracking him now.”

Ending the call, Noel approached his car, only to notice that two of his tires had been slashed. There was no

need to guess who was responsible-it was Damian’s way of preventing him from following

With only one spare tire available, Noel replaced a single tire and managed to drive to the nearest town for

repairs.

Whitney didn’t know how far she bad run. The dull ache in her right leg, still recovering from a fracture, grew

sharper with each step. But she didn’t dare stop. She had no phone, no way to call for help, and no idea where

she was. The road ahead stretched endlessly, barren of any signs of life.

After what felt like another half hour, her strength gave out, forcing her to stop and catch her breath. Gasping,

she looked up-and her heart leaped. There, in the distance, was a small cluster of buildings.

Hope sparked within her as she pushed herself forward. Reaching the town, she immediately searched for a shop

with a public phone. Spotting one, she burst inside, her desperation plain

The shopkeeper sat behind the counter, engrossed in a video on his phone.

“Please, | need to call the police,” Whitney pleaded. “I'll pay you as soon as they arrive.”

The man looked up, startled “What did you say?

“I was abducted. | managed to escape, but | need to call the police. Please, help

p me!” she cried, her voice trembling with urgency.

The shopkeeper’s expression shitted to concem as he set his phone down and scrutinized her. Finally, he nodded.

“Alright, don’t worry. I'll call the local station for you

Chapter 203 She Was In Peaceville

“Thank you! Thank you so much!” Whitney was ve

was meerwhelmed with politude as the wat

the shopkeeper dial the member and relay their location to the police

“Alitete,” the shopkeeper reassured her after hanging up. cat atay here and wait. The police will arrive shortly.

Whitney thanked him again, berrations in termoil. She had been missing for days and had no idea what was

happening hWasher father world she waterstain thur Yvette must have been frantically searching for her

As another customer entered the store, the shopkeeper went in assist them. Whitney seized the moment to me

the Landline phone to call Tveite, She decided she

| pay for the call ince the police arrived.

“Hella? Who's this

The line finally codected

vette’s familiar vader brought traista Whitney's eyes, her thmat tightening as the steuerled to speak.

“Whitney”” Verfte exclaimed, her mice filled with relief and shock. “Where are you! I've been tried sick Even Noel

has been helpingsearch for you!

Neel knew. He had been looking for her too. Whitney clutched the receives tightly, her nice trembling “I don’t

know exactly team. It’s stown, but I've sirrade called the pobor - ”

efore she could finish, a sharp blow to the back of herneckiendered her unconscious,

7

“Whitney Whitney! Are you there? What's happening? Say something Whitney?

Yere's panicked voice echoed from the receiver before the call was abrigtly cut off

Trowning Yvette redialed the number but was met with nothing but a busy tone. Alarmed, she quickly called Noel

At a nowhide repair shop, a mechanic was busy replacing the tires on Noel's black G-Wagon. He stood nearby,

his expression dark and unreadable. Picking up his phone. he made a call to

You should have received the evidence of Damian's illegal activities by now,” Noel said

“How do you know about that? Was it you?” Beckham's voice carried both anger and exasperation Closing the

door to his office for privacy, he continued, “Does your grandfather know about this?”

“Not yet, but he will soon enough,” Noel replied evenly. “The investigation into Sundrift will inevitably lead to

Howard Group, and then Grandpa will find our

“Damian Howard!” Beckham roared, turous. “He’s going to give your grandfather a heart attack by dragging the

entire family into this mess!TM

“What do you plan to do about it? Noel asked, histone as calm as ever

Damian's actions had brought shnot only to the Howard family but also to the company. Even his position as

deputy mayor could be jeopardized. “What can do? I'll have to cooperate with the investigation.”

“If you trust me, do asl sem,” Noel suggested.

“Do you have a plan?

“File a cepon yourself and submit a formal apology to the authorities. Do it today.” Noel advised.

The distinction between reporting and being reported was significant, If Beckham took the initiative to expose his

nephew’s crimes and expressed remorse, it could mitigate the damage to his career. It might even lessen the

impact on the Howard coup, as Beckham's actions would show a willingness to prioritize justice over family

loyalty

This was the best solution

could think of to minimize the damage.

If Damian was willing to listro and turn himself in, Noel wouldn't hand over the evidence to Beckham.

But from their earlier negotiation, it was clear Damian had no intention of doing so

Understanding his son’s reasoning, Secdum immediately acted.

Ending the call, Noel returned his attention to his phone, where a red dot moved steady across the screen.

During the earlier search, he had slipped a miniature tracker into the pocket of one of Damian's guards. This was

why Noel wasn’t intimidated by Damian’s threats and had urged Beckham to act quickly.

The tire replacement was done, and Noel climbed back into his car, teady to leave, just as he was about to start

the engine, his phone rang. It was Yvette.

“Whutney just called me,” Wette blurted out. “But the line went dead halfway through. She said she'd called the

police, but when | tried calling back, the number wouldnt content. What if something happened to line again?*

Noel's gaze handened. “Tell une everything she said. “

ywerte quirky recounted the conversation, her worry evident. “She mentioned calling the police, but why would

the line cut off? it doesn’t feel right.”

Altamoment’s tlangla, Nuel said, “Find out where that number originates. Letknow as soots as you live the

location

“Goril,” Write replied, wasting no time

A short while later, Yvette called back. “Ther mber’s registered to Peaceville.”

Baskit

Noel glanced at his GPS. Pranville was about an hour away without hesitation, he called Duriel. “Go to the

Peaceville police station and ask it Whitney has reported anything

kahe escaped?” Duriel, asked, histone hopeful.

plione.”

“Maybe,” Noel said, “She was just in Peaceville and made a call from a landline. Find out which shop owns that

plior “Understood,” Daciel replied, already preparing to head out.