Game of Love and Deception: The Billionaire's Ex Wife
Chapter 99: Breaking the rules

Chapter 99: Breaking the rules

Lorenzo hesitated, afraid she might freak out.

"He’s her son," he said quietly.

Ashley blinked, confused. "Whose son?"

"Roseline’s."

Her eyes widened in horror.

Lorenzo shifted in his seat, visibly uncomfortable. "I know this might not sit well with you, but I don’t plan on harming him. He’s just leverage—to scare his mother into telling us whatever she’s hiding about Vanessa. I’ve got someone watching over him," he added quickly.

Ashley glanced back at the little boy. He couldn’t have been more than four years old. Toys were scattered around what looked like a massive playroom, but he didn’t reach for any of them. He just sat there, small and vulnerable, his face clouded with confusion. She was surprised he wasn’t crying—or maybe he already had.

Guilt crept into her chest. This wasn’t how she imagined finding answers. Not by using a child.

"Where is this place? And how long have you had him?" she asked, voice barely above a whisper. Her mind was struggling to keep up.

"Since yesterday. I planned to keep him a little longer—just until Roseline talks. I heard her husband visited today. Probably to tell her their son’s missing. He’s safe, in one of my penthouses."

Her heart pounded harder. Kidnapping. The word echoed in her mind. If the police even got a whiff of this, everything would fall apart. Vanessa’s case would be pushed back—maybe even buried.

"What if the police get involved, Lorenzo? This... this doesn’t look good," she whispered, panic rising.

"Hey, calm down."

He placed his hands on her shoulders, but she barely felt it. His eyes locked on hers, intense and steady, like he was trying to ground her.

"I made sure they got the message—that calling the police would only make things worse for her."

Her brows knit tighter. "What if whoever was with the boy recognizes you?"

"I’m not stupid, princess. I didn’t go myself. My men handled it."

Her frown deepened. "Your men?"

He paused, then corrected himself. "I mean... people I sent."

She bit her lip, fingers trembling. Emotions swirled inside her. Everything about this felt wrong. But... what if it worked? What if this was finally the lead they needed to bring Vanessa home?

Her mind spun, torn between the disgust she felt for even considering this and the desperate need to find answers. Was this really the only way? What would it cost them in the end?

Her eyes dropped to the phone still clutched in her hand—the video still playing. The door to the room suddenly opened, and a huge man stepped in. Ashley frowned. Was he the one taking care of the boy?

The child stood up quickly and backed away, fear flashing across his face.

He was saying something, his lips trembling, his face crumpling like he was about to cry.

Ashley read his lips. "I want to see my mommy!"

Her heart twisted painfully, and she looked away.

"Lorenzo, I—I can’t. There has to be another way..."

"Ashley, this might be our only chance," he said softly, as if speaking to the war going on inside her.

"The lead Roseline gave us isn’t entirely false. But the man she’s tied to? He’s linked to a longtime trafficker. Ruthless. It’ll take the police days—maybe longer—to find him. And that’s probably what Roseline wants. Time. Maybe to run. Maybe to get help from whoever has Vanessa."

Ashley’s fear heightened at the possibility of that, and how it would ruin all the progress they had made. She couldn’t let that happen.

She squeezed her eyes shut, overwhelmed.

What if Vanessa was like this child? Trapped somewhere. Begging to see her mother.

Her chest ached more.

Was she really about to go along with this? Roseline was a mother like her and yet was an accomplice in the disappearance of her daughter.

This could be her revenge. She shook the thought away. She was nothing like that criminal.

She’d spent so long trying to follow the rules. Now, for her daughter’s sake, she was being asked to bend them. Break them.

The thought made her stomach turn.

But she didn’t have another choice.

A mother should do anything for her child... right?

She swallowed hard, then looked up at Lorenzo.

"No one is going to harm the boy," she said firmly.

"I don’t intend to, Ashley. Not unless—"

"No. Not unless. Not under any circumstances," she cut in, her voice sharper.

Lorenzo hesitated, but her eyes made it clear there was no arguing it.

"Fine. You have my word."

She nodded. "When are we contacting Roseline?"

Lorenzo couldn’t help the faint smile that tugged at his lips. He liked how she said we.

"After the launch. Five days should be enough to show her what she’s up against."

Ashley nodded slowly, rubbing her arm. She just hoped the next three days wouldn’t leave her full of regret.

Their eyes met, and for a long moment, neither spoke. They didn’t need to. One final topic hung between them—one they both understood the weight. Silence filled the space, echoing the fear it stirred in their chests.

Then Lorenzo broke the tension with a crooked smile. "Can we go have a little fun now, princess?"

Ashley gave a small, reluctant smile. "Doesn’t sound bad."

He opened the door for her, his hand brushing gently against her back as they stepped out toward the lively bar. Heads turned the moment they walked in, and Lorenzo’s hand slid possessively around her waist—a silent warning to every man in the room: Look, and you’ll lose your eyes.

Ashley scanned the moderately crowded space—warm lights, a live band, people laughing and dancing. She instantly loved it.

A friendly attendant walked up to them, and Lorenzo slipped him a few bills to secure a rooftop spot.

"How often do you come here? It’s beautiful," Ashley asked, settling into a long chair, her gaze sweeping across the twinkling skyline.

"Only once," Lorenzo replied, taking the space beside her. "But this is the first time staying on the roof. Feels nice... but that’s only because you’re here," he added, picking up the menu.

Ashley released a playful chuckle. "That look in your eyes says otherwise, but sure—keep trying to be romantic, mister."

"I don’t need to try, sunshine. I’m a natural," he said with a look that made her heart flutter.

She rolled her eyes. "Keep telling yourself that if it helps you sleep at night."

Their banter was cut short by the waiter’s return. They ordered BBQ pork, sauced chicken wings, and mango mules—Ashley’s choice, and she insisted Lorenzo skip his usual whiskey.

He grumbled but agreed.

"Do you need anything else, sir?" the waiter asked as he returned with their mouthwatering food.

"Yeah," Lorenzo said, cutting a piece of pork and feeding it to a blushing Ashley without taking his eyes off her. "Get the band to come perform for my girlfriend."

Ashley’s cheeks flamed as his intense gaze stirred butterflies in her stomach. For a moment, she forgot the world around them and nearly leaned in to kiss him.

"That’s going to cost a little extra, sir," the waiter said.

"I want the best—for her. No matter the cost."