The Devil CEO's Contract Wife - Chapter 297: Underhanded Methods

Chapter 297: Underhanded Methods

Silence took over the room before I uncrossed my legs and stood. This caught her attention, and she smiled at me.

“Not even a seat is offered.”

“The seats are full.”

“Then more can be brought in. Especially for Adrian.”

He smiled, but I didn’t return, keeping my gaze locked on her.

“They don’t agree you should be here.”

“That’s not entirely right, is it? Adrian….” She trailed as if trying to get a reaction out of me, but it doesn’t affect me one bit. “…is the only young son of the family. His presence is crucial. I’m sure the board can agree to that.”

“We’re done for the day. You can all leave.”

Grandmother’s smile dropped.

I heard a rustle behind me as well as creaks of the chair against the floor as everyone made their exit.

Soft click-clack resounded as Catherine came close to me.

“Constance, we weren’t expecting you. You should have called.”

She scoffed. “Called? Since when do we do that? This family is a disaster. Agatha is occupied while your son is—”

“He’s not my son.” I cut her off. “Stop throwing that in my face when you know nothing.”

“Nothing? A relationship with your stepmother is not!” Her face twisted in disappointment. “You should be ashamed of yourself for succumbing to your disgraceful desires!”

Adrian’s breath hitched as he ran out.

“You’re despicable…!” Catherine said. “You should have at least acted like a decent human being before throwing lies around a child!”

“Lies? There are no lies!”

“Have you heard of something called a DNA test?” Catherine hissed. “Do that and let this be over once and for all!”

“Agatha showed me already, and it proves enough.”

Catherine chuckled, but it was devoid of life. “She showed you? You’re old enough to understand that such processes are done directly at the hospital.”

“Catherine…”

She faced me, eyes burning with anger, and I knew she was gonna throw her words and bury Grandmother.

“Go to Adrian…”

She released a sharp exhale, glaring one more time at her before leaving.

I closed the distance between us.

“Is this the next plan of action?” I asked. “Losing your grip on the underworld has made you surrender to this underhanded methods. Like crashing my meeting, and using Adrian for your gain.”

Her cane struck the floor. “I’m warning you, boy. You have tested me enough. Your methods are vile, using a woman called Vixen to spite me. Do you realize how much damage she has done to everything we have built?”

“You mean what you have built.”

“Those men were loyal to you!” She slapped her hand against her chest, gripping tightly as if suddenly in pain.

“E-Everything I have done was for this family. So that you don’t end up like your father!”

“Your words lost meaning a long time ago. I was hoping this would play more because I enjoy watching you crumble, but I have had my fill. I can already see through your every plan. Using Adrian as your newest puppet and building him in your image. Is that about right?”

Her nostrils flared.

“You won’t get that chance, Grandmother.”

“You can’t kill me, Ares. Another family blood on your hands.”

“Do you think I give a fuck about that?”

“You’re worse than your father.”

My phone rang, and I pulled it out and picked up the call.

“B-Boss… you need to get here now!”

Grandmother caught my changed demeanor, but I brushed past her.

“What happened?” I hissed, but the line broke and then cut.

He didn’t tell me what happened; my mind was already flying in a direction.

I tried Catherine’s number, but her line wasn’t going through. I swore she had her phone with her when she went after Adrian.

I stepped in the elevator dialing Scott’s number, but it wasn’t going through either.

What the fuck is going on?

When the doors opened, I was quick on my feet, and when I got out of the building, I barked orders to my men.

I typed on my phone to get through the tracker I had installed on Catherine’s phone. It showed a route.

I snatched the keys and started the car, zooming off while checking my phone. A few more distances, but I was speeding through.

I kept trying Catherine’s number over and over again until it began ringing. My heart raced as I waited to hear her voice, but she wasn’t answering.

When my eyes were back on the road, I saw a car, so I quickly mashed on the brakes. The traffic was chaotic because people were out of their cars.

I tried to reverse, but another blocked me, and I couldn’t cut corners either. I was crammed in.

I dialed another number.

“I’m sending you a location. Get there as far as you can.” I ended the call, tapping on my phone, and froze.

Wait… this location. I was right there.

I lifted my gaze, paying more attention, and caught smoke in the air.

I got out of my car, tapping on Catherine’s number again. I could recognize that tone anywhere. It’s her phone. It’s somewhere around here.

I pushed between the people gathered around, not until I stepped on something. I looked down and realized it was her phone, my name lighting up the screen.

No.

Dread seized my bones until I was impossibly still for a few seconds before my phone slipped out of my grip and dropped to the floor.

I moved fast. I shove my way through the crowd, panic whirring in my brain. I saw injured people coming into view, either helped by someone or solo.

Then I saw it… my car, its front end crumpled into another vehicle.

A sharp ringing chimed in my ears, and people bumped into me as they rushed out screaming for help.

I caught sight of a familiar face. Scoff. He saw me hurrying to my side.

“Where is my wife?” I roared to his face, clutching his collar, but he couldn’t get the words out before I forced him aside and wandered further.

I see her. On the floor, blood everywhere.

“Catherine!”

She faced me, blood smeared across her body, her face in terror as she clutched an unconscious Adrian.