Game of Love and Deception: The Billionaire's Ex Wife
Chapter 120: Rescuing Bryan

Chapter 120: Rescuing Bryan

Raphael approached a nurse, who informed him that Madison’s mother had been moved upstairs to the private oncology ward under tight police supervision. It was off-limits to visitors.

His heartbeat quickened, and sweat broke out on his skin. Police supervision.

Was someone watching him already? Or did they just suspect that whoever had taken Madison might come back for her mother? That had to be it.

"Is there a problem, sir?" the nurse asked, noticing the panic flicker across his face.

"No, everything’s fine. I just wanted to check on her, but I’ll be on my way now," he said quickly and walked off.

The nurse’s gaze lingered a moment longer before she turned back to her work.

Raphael drove home, his mind racing with one single thought—how to get into that ward and silence the woman before she said anything.

He’d find a way. He always did.

But this time, he needed to act fast.

********

"Who has him?" Ashley asked Lorenzo, fear curling deep in her gut.

"Christian," Lorenzo replied, his jaw tight. The thought alone made his blood boil. He’d kill the bastard if he hurt even a hair on that boy’s head.

"And he wants me to come with you," he added, "but you know I can’t risk that."

Ashley’s heart slammed against her ribs. Her jaw clenched. She wanted to see Christian. She needed to know if he had her child.

"I’ll go with you," she said without hesitation.

Lorenzo frowned. "No. It’s risky, and you still have to stay here—"

"I’m not letting you go to that monster alone," she cut in, voice firm. "And the police still need time to get a warrant to bring Kayla in for questioning. That might take a while."

She drew in a breath when she saw Lorenzo wasn’t having it.

"If Christian really wants to see me, then I’m going. He might know something about Vanessa."

Lorenzo’s jaw tightened again. "It’ll be harder to save Bryan if I’m worried about you too, baby," he said, trying to reason with her.

Ashley looked away, conflicted, then turned back to him. "I know you’re not going in blindly like he demanded. You’re smarter than that. I’ll be protected." Her voice softened, but her resolve didn’t. "And let’s be honest—if Christian really wants to see me, he won’t let you get anywhere near Bryan without me."

Lorenzo’s eyes darkened, the thought of losing her clawing at his chest.

He hated that she was right.

Christian had made it clear—no Ashley, no Bryan. And no backup either. But he didn’t take orders from that fool.

Still, this stubborn woman wouldn’t let him take a step without her, and he couldn’t afford to waste any more time.

"Fine," he muttered through gritted teeth. "But you stay right by my side. You don’t leave my sight. Got it?"

Ashley nodded quickly.

"When are you bringing Kayla in for questioning?" she asked, turning to Nicolas who returned to the room as they prepared to leave.

She needed to know where things stood before she stepped into danger.

"We’re already working on it," Nicolas replied, urgency in his voice. "Are you two going somewhere?"

"Yeah, but we’ll be back as soon as possible," she said.

As she turned to leave, her eyes met Roseline’s. Fear flickered there, alongside the unspoken question: What about my son?

Ashley looked away and walked out with Lorenzo. They’d release the boy soon enough... but not yet.

Not until Roseline had tasted more of the fear and uncertainty she had inflicted on her, not until she was sure that this lead on Kayla wasn’t another dead end.

Lorenzo sped into the road, driving as fast he could, his hands gripping the wheel tight, eyes sharp—yet they kept flicking to Ashley, checking if the speed was too much for her, if he needed to slow down.

Beside him, Ashley sat in silence.

She’d never seen him like this before—so tense, so quiet... and afraid.

He really loved that little boy.

But what haunted her was how Christian had managed to take Bryan from the orphanage in the first place.

She was scared too. What did Christian want with her? Was he planning to trade Bryan for her?

A tight lump formed in her throat. If he even dared to say it, she’d kill him. And Lorenzo would too.

As if reading her mind, Lorenzo reached for her hand and gave it a soft squeeze, his eyes never leaving the road.

Her thoughts wandered back to Roseline’s revelation, sending another cold shiver down her spine.

Why did Kayla take Vanessa? Could it be to punish her? What if she’d already harmed her daughter? No. Her daughter was fine and soon she’d be able to hold her again.

And if Christian knew about the child... did he know she was his?

What if this whole thing was just another twisted game Roseline was playing?

The car finally rolled to a stop in front of a tall gate. Lorenzo glanced at her, his eyes heavy with concern. He squeezed her hand again and kissed it gently.

Ashley’s heart thudded in her chest.

What was behind this black gate?

Lorenzo leaned over and adjusted her hair to fully hide the earpod she wore—her only link to his team, who were already surrounding the building.

"You’re not going to bring up Vanessa to Christian, okay?" he said, his voice low. "Let him stay clueless until the police get to Kayla. If he finds out, he might help her escape and things could get worse."

Ashley swallowed, seeing reason with him. "Alright."

"Stay as close to me as possible unless I tell you otherwise."

"Okay."

Lorenzo cupped her face, his thumb brushing her cheek. "Everything’s going to be fine, okay?"

He planted a soft kiss to her lips—quick too, but enough to make her throat tighten.

She wasn’t sure if he was trying to convince her... or himself.

Just then, a voice rang out from behind the gate, making Ashley flinch.

"Step out of the damn car!"

She swallowed hard.

That was Christian’s voice.

Was he using a microphone? A speaker? How deranged could he get?

She looked at Lorenzo. He gave her a small nod.

They opened the doors and stepped out, standing side by side beside the car.

Lorenzo’s eyes never left her side, scanning her quickly to make sure she was okay.

"Raise your hands and wave!"

The loud voice boomed again.

They obeyed, realizing he was likely watching them through cameras or from somewhere inside. He was checking for weapons.

"Begin to move!"

At that command, the gate creaked open slowly.

Ashley and Lorenzo began walking, hands raised, toward the massive building ahead—it looked like a deserted mall.

As soon as the gate shut behind them, four armed men appeared from inside, guns raised and ready to shoot on command. They moved fast, surrounding them.

Lorenzo instantly stepped in front of Ashley, shielding her.

"Christian!" he shouted, voice sharp with anger. "Stop this child’s play and come out!"

Ashley’s heart slammed against her ribs. She was terrified—for him... for Bryan... for what might happen next.

The gunmen raised their weapons at Lorenzo.

Then came a sound that made Ashley’s blood freeze—Christian’s sick laughter, echoing from behind the glass doors.

The door slid open slowly, and he stepped out, dragging a tear-streaked Bryan by the arm, a crooked smirk stretched across his face.

Ashley’s stomach twisted at the sight. This was the man she had once called her husband, the monster she had once loved. She didn’t think she would ever stop feeling ashamed every time she was reminded of it.

"Uncle Lorenzo!" Bryan cried the moment he saw him, trying to run forward. But Christian yanked him back, his grip tightening around the boy’s wrist.

Lorenzo’s heart shattered at the sight. Bryan looked frightened, unkempt, broken.

He swore then and there that Christian and the fools who helped him would pay. How could those bastards go ahead and adopt him if they weren’t going to care for him—protect him?

"Let him go. Now."

Lorenzo’s voice was sharp, deadly. His glare promised a thousand punishments—none of them merciful.

Christian chuckled darkly. "Don’t be in such a hurry my friend," he said with a sneer. "You’ll kill the fun."

His eyes sparkled with twisted satisfaction. "I want my beautiful wife to meet someone first. And then..." His gaze flicked back to Lorenzo. "We’ll talk about what you did to my company."

Ashley’s jaw clenched so tightly she heard her teeth grind.

Lorenzo’s blood boiled. The fool finally put the pieces together. Hearing him call Ashley his wife made him want to snap his neck. But not now. Not yet.

The glass door slid open again—and Charlotte stepped out.

Ashley staggered, shock slamming into her like a wave. Lorenzo instinctively reached to steady her.

Christian’s jaw clenched, watching Lorenzo handle her with such tenderness, like she was the most precious thing in the world.

He was going to watch him take her away... again.

"One more move," he warned, eyes gleaming cruelly, "and I’ll tell one of them blow his little head off."

His gaze flicked slightly to Bryan, who trembled under his grip.

Lorenzo slowly released Ashley, jaw clenched, heart pounding. He was alert, calculating, waiting for the right moment to strike.

But one wrong move... and Bryan could die. And if that happened, he’d never forgive himself. He had to be careful.

Ashley’s voice cracked the silence, filled with pain. "So you’re also part of this twisted game?" Her eyes locked on Charlotte. "How could you?"

She wasn’t even sure which betrayal she was referring to anymore—what Charlotte did to Lorenzo’s family, or this.

Lorenzo’s chest ached seeing her like that, eyes glassy with unshed tears. He hated that he couldn’t hold her, shield her, fix it all immediately.

Charlotte stepped forward, her tone soft, almost maternal.

"You just have to come with me, Ashy. I’m not here to hurt you. George will take good care of you."

Ashley took a step back. Her stomach turned. George? The same man who almost raped her then? Unbelievable.

"I see you’re still obsessed with marrying me off to that toothless old fool," she spat. "Why don’t you just marry him yourself?"

Lorenzo’s eyes narrowed.

Christian’s face shifted into confusion.

Marry Ashley off? That wasn’t part of his plan.

How was he supposed to get her back if she married someone else?

Lorenzo immediately noticed the flicker of confusion in Christian’s eyes—and he didn’t waste a second.

His gaze darted toward the tall fence to the left, and delivered a subtle wink. A signal.

Bang. Bang. Bang.

Three of Christian’s men collapsed before they could react.

Charlotte gasped aloud.

Then, in one fluid motion, Lorenzo slid a gun from beneath his sleeve and aimed it at Christian—just as the last gunman pressed his weapon to Lorenzo’s head.

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