Game of Love and Deception: The Billionaire's Ex Wife
Chapter 90: Under attack

Chapter 90: Under attack

"No TV where you are? Check the news girl," came Molita’s voice through the phone. Ashley jumped out of bed and grabbed the TV remote.

Lorenzo frowned as he dropped the bag of items he’d ordered for her that morning.

As soon as Ashley turned on the television, her jaw dropped.

"Last night, the heavily guarded Flynn residence was attacked by an equally heavily armed team of unknown assailants." The newscaster’s voice boomed. "The security team fought back. Though they managed to take out the attackers, several guards sustained serious injuries..."

Ashley stopped listening the moment she saw Greg and two other estate guards being wheeled into an ambulance. Her chest tightened. Lorenzo pulled her into his arms, trying to steady her.

But his eyes stayed on the screen, his heart racing.

"Also last night, Sheriff Boyd Mercer was murdered in cold blood inside his apartment in Bronze Metropolis. His heart was brutally carved out. Police are now investigating..."

Hearing the next news, Ashley felt her stomach churn. She pitied the family—imagine waking up to witness such a gruesome sight.

"Oh my God. Who could be so heartless?" she muttered, slicing through Lorenzo’s thoughts. His knuckles whitened, his face paling.

"I... I have to go home. Right now," she said, wondering why none of the house workers had called her despite everything.

Guilt twisted in her gut. While her grandparents’ home—now hers—had been under attack, she’d been in a man’s bed. Having sex.

Without a word, Lorenzo grabbed his keys. Moments later, they were on the road back to the Flynn estate. He didn’t pressure her to talk, only glanced at her now and then while wrestling his own guilt. He had to make sure she never found out that the heartless man was him.

Her phone rang. She tensed when she saw it was her grandma. After a slight hesitation, she picked up. They talked for a while, Michelle mostly asking if she was safe. She’d been the one that instructed the house workers not to call Ashley when she heard she hadn’t sleep in the estate. Didn’t want her panicking in the middle of the night.

The care made Ashley feel more guilty.

Once assured her granddaughter was fine and heading home to check on the staff, Michelle delivered another shocking news.

Her grandfather’s test results were back—he’d been poisoned with thallium, a rare and deadly heavy metal. Its symptoms could easily be mistaken for those of more common illnesses, making it harder to detect.

How could that happen? Who would do such a thing?

The symptoms matched what Jason had gone through. Ashley suspected it had to be someone close. Michelle suggested they keep the diagnosis quiet until they figured out who was behind it.

The only good news: her grandfather was responding to hemodialysis. It would take time, but with the Prussian blue he’d started receiving, his recovery could be faster. Ashley was relieved to finally hear something positive.

Arriving at the estate, her heart felt heavy. The police had partially cleared the scene, allowing residents in under supervision. But there were still officers and vans around, taking photos and collecting evidence.

Inside the mansion, she took in the shattered glass and scattered debris. She could only imagine how intense the fight had been. At least the paparazzi had been banned from the property—she didn’t have to answer too many questions.

She turned to Lorenzo. "You can go now, okay?" she told him—not because she didn’t need him, but because she needed space. Space to think. To breathe. To process everything—including him.

Surprisingly, he didn’t try to protest.

Once he left, she checked on the staff. They were gathered in the main house and visibly relieved to see her safe. None of them were allowed to leave yet—not until questioning was complete.

As she spoke to the kitchen staff, Ashley couldn’t help but wonder which of them had poisoned her grandfather. Was it even them? And the attack—was it random or carefully planned?

Who could be behind all of this? And why?

Were they after her... or her grandparents?

Why now?

Questions clawed at her mind, each one more unsettling than the last.

The police were investigating, and if someone had sent those attackers, they would eventually be found. Still, she wished at least one of the robbers had lived—answers might have come faster.

And there was still no useful information about her daughter from Roseline. Now this. It was all too much.

After showering and changing out of Genevieve’s dress, she approached the officer in charge.

"Can I visit those in the hospital?"

The middle-aged, brown-haired officer paused from giving orders to a younger colleague and nodded.

"Yes, ma’am."

She was surprised to find her car already back in the compound. Lorenzo’s doing of course. She didn’t know when he had arranged it, but she wasn’t surprised. He was full of surprises.

Driving toward the gate, she spotted Raphael arguing with security. Her stomach twisted.

He was trying to gain access, but the guards wouldn’t let him in.

She stepped out of the car.

His face lit up with a smile when he saw her—but Ashley could tell it didn’t reach his eyes.

"I don’t know why these riffraff aren’t letting me in," he said, his voice smooth. "I just want to check on my brother, make sure he’s safe. I’ve been out of the country on business, but as soon as I heard about this, I rushed down."

Ashley frowned.

His words told her something was off—he didn’t know her grandfather had been out of the country for treatment.

"Mikael hasn’t been around either, Uncle," she said calmly.

Shock flickered in his eyes.

"Just like you, he’s been out of the country."

"Really? I... I had no idea," he replied, a little too stiffly.

"Yes."

"It’s so bad my brother doesn’t tell me anything anymore," he muttered with a forced chuckle. "We used to be so close." He glanced at her car. "I see you were going somewhere. Let me not keep you... dear niece."

He didn’t ask why her grandfather had travelled, and she didn’t offer the information. They used to be close— what changed? Ashley pondered the question for a moment.

She watched him walk back to his car, refusing to dwell on the mocking edge in his voice when he said "dear niece." She had more pressing concerns than an old man’s simmering hate.

She got back into her car and drove off. Behind her, Raphael watched the vehicle vanish down the road, his heart pounding at the news he hadn’t expected.

Mikael’s out of the country? For how long? And that foolish girl hadn’t thought to tell him?

If Mikael survives...

He gritted his teeth and started his car. He had to move fast—before everything slipped out of his control.

*********

Near the hospital, Ashley’s phone buzzed. It was Elara.

After making sure Ashley was okay and hearing she was heading to the hospital to see Greg, Elara insisted on tagging along. Molita too. Ashley was sure that if Rebecca hadn’t been away on her honeymoon, she would’ve joined as well.

The warmth of her friends’ concern softened the hard weight pressing on her chest. She agreed to meet them there.

She still needed to discuss with Elara about her interest in managing the restaurant. With only five days until launch, it was time to finalize things. But that could wait until after the hospital visit.

___________

On the other side of the city, Lorenzo sat parked a short distance from Life’s Orphanage, his eyes fixed on the iron gate. He was waiting—for Bryan to come out with his new parents.

He’d been there for hours.

He tried not to think about Ashley, but her image kept creeping in. And with it, the gnawing thought that Christian had something to do with the attack at the Flynn estate.

The fear of what could’ve happened if Ashley hadn’t been with him made his chest tighten.

He’d imagined countless things he could do to Christian. But none of them felt satisfying.

Death would be too easy. Or too obvious—especially after that televised interview. If anything happened to Christian now, fingers would point straight at him.

Even if there was no traceable evidence, Ashley might still suspect. He couldn’t risk her knowing he was capable of murder. But that didn’t mean he couldn’t make Christian suffer... while crafting a more fitting end.

A cruel smirk curved his lips when a thought crossed his mind.

He would kill two birds with a stone.

Just then, the orphanage gate creaked open and a red car rolled out. Lorenzo tensed.

Through the back window, he caught a glimpse of Bryan. Would he be happy?

His heart twisted painfully.

As the car turned onto the road, Lorenzo started his engine and followed, keeping a safe distance.

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