My blood ran cold.

Howard had truly gone insane.


I immediately rushed upstairs and pounded on Blake's door.

"Blake! Open up! It's an emergency!"

There was no response from inside.


I paced anxiously, continuing to knock desperately.

"Blake! Open the door! If you don't open it now, it'll be too late!"


Finally, the door clicked open from inside.

Blake leaned against the doorframe, looking at me with cold eyes.

"What is it now, princess?"

"Howard is planning to kidnap me!" I grabbed his arm and said urgently, "He's planning to kill me!"

Blake's brows furrowed, clearly not believing me.

"Vanessa, you think I would believe such a lie?"

"I'm telling the truth!" I was nearly crying with urgency, "The system... no, I mean, my source told me he's already contacted people from the black market, and they're going to act soon!"

"You need to increase security for the villa immediately!"

Blake scrutinized me, seemingly judging whether my words were true or false.

Just then, his phone rang.

He answered the phone, listened for a few sentences, and his expression changed dramatically.

"What did you say? Say it again!"

"...I understand. Call everyone back, secure the villa, and don't let even a fly get in!"

After hanging up, he looked at me with incredibly complex eyes.

"Who are... your sources?"

My heart tightened, and I answered vaguely: "Just a... very skilled hacker friend."

Fortunately, Blake didn't press further.

Because he had no time left.

Outside the villa, several black vans silently parked in the shadows.

Blake immediately called to mobilize his people and arrange defenses.

Watching him calmly giving orders, I felt a sense of security for the first time.

It turned out he had been protecting me under his wings all along, I just never knew before.

After arranging everything, he pulled me into his arms and held me tight.

His chest was broad and warm, his heartbeat strong and steady.

"Don't be afraid," he whispered in my ear, "As long as I'm here, no one can touch you."

My nose tingled, and tears fell again.

This time, not from fear, but from being moved.

I buried my face in his chest and nodded firmly.

In this life, if we go down, we go down together.

No one will separate us.