The Billionaire CEO Betrays his Wife: He wants her back-Chapter 98: The Storm at our doorstep

Mara moved swiftly through the dimly lit hallway, her coat wrapped tightly around her as she reached the discreet section of the foundation. She use her fingerprint, pausing just long enough for the small slit to slide open before stepping inside.

Valerie stood by the small door. Her expression was unreadable, but Mara could sense the weight of her thoughts even before she spoke.

"I can’t do this anymore," Velaria said without turning around. "I’m done hiding. I want to come out. I want to find my daughter."

Mara exhaled sharply, her steps measured as she approached. "Valerie, you know what a risk that is. Philip is still out there. He’s desperate and dangerous. If he finds out you’re alive—"

"Then let him find out." Valerie turned, her eyes blazing with defiance. "I’ve spent nineteen years looking over my shoulder, running, waiting. For what? For someone else to take him down? I should be the one to do it. He stole everything from me. My freedom, my child, my life! I won’t spend another second in the shadows while he still breathes."

Mara crossed her arms, her face unreadable. "If you step out now, you’re not just risking yourself. You’re risking your child. Do you think Philip won’t use her against you? You need to be smart about this."

"I have been smart. I’ve been patient. But I can’t wait any longer." Velarie’s voice broke slightly, and she took a deep breath to steady herself. "I don’t even know if my daughter remembers me if she even knows I exist. And I won’t find out by staying in the dark."

Mara studied her for a long moment, then sighed. "If you’re really set on this, at least let me and my brothers help you. Let’s be strategic. We don’t just walk out the door and announce to the world that you’re alive. We plan, we prepare, and we make sure Philip has nowhere left to run."

Valerie gave a sad smile. "Just like your mother. But I’m tired of waiting. It’s time I face Philip. No more running. No more hiding."

Mara hesitated, knowing there was no changing Velaria’s mind. Finally, she nodded. "Then let’s make sure we do this right. If we’re going to take him down."

Valerie reached out, gripping Mara’s hand tightly. "Thank you."

...

Mara stepped back into the foundation, her heels clicking against the polished floor as she dialed Vera’s number. The call went straight to voicemail. A frown creased her forehead. That was odd Vera was always in the office at this hour.

She moved swiftly toward Vera’s desk, her senses alert. Something didn’t feel right. The chair was slightly askew, and a few papers were scattered across the floor. Mara’s stomach clenched. She had left Vera here just an hour ago where could she have gone?

Panic crept into her veins as she glanced around, searching for any sign of a struggle. And then she saw it the edge of a desk slightly dented, as if someone had gripped it too tightly. A vase was knocked over, its shattered pieces swept hastily to the side. The realization hit her like a freight train.

Someone had taken Vera.

Mara’s mind raced. How could someone have kidnapped her without anyone noticing? Then it hit her the secret path.

Her breath quickened as she turned on her heel and sprinted toward the hidden passage. The moment she reached it, her worst fear was confirmed. The door had been moved.

Philip.

Her fingers trembled as she pulled out her phone, dialing frantically. The first call went to security. The second, to her brothers.

"Steve," she said the moment he picked up. "It’s Philip. He has Vera. He must’ve taken her through the secret passage. I need you to—"

"We’re on it," Steve cut in sharply. "Stay at the foundation. We’ll track them down."

"No, I—"

"Stef, listen to me," Steve said firmly. "Philip is after you. He’s using Vera to get to you. If you leave, you’ll be playing straight into his hands. Stay put. Let us handle this with the FBI."

Mara clenched her fists, every fiber of her being resisting the idea of waiting while Vera was out there, scared and alone. But she knew Steve was right. If she walked into Philip’s trap, it wouldn’t just be her life at risk—it would be everyone’s.

Reluctantly, she exhaled. "Fine. But find her. Fast."

Steve didn’t respond, but she knew he would. He and the others wouldn’t rest until Philip was caught.

As Mara turned back toward her office, a shiver ran down her spine. A strange feeling settled in her chest, one she couldn’t quite place. It was as if someone was watching her.

Unbeknownst to her, two cars were hidden in the shadows outside the foundation.

In the first, Philip sat with his men, waiting for the perfect moment to strike. His plan was in motion lure the Shepherd brothers and the FBI away, and when Mara was alone, finish what he started. He smirked in the darkness, his fingers tapping against his knee. Soon.

In the second car, Ethan gripped the steering wheel, his knuckles white. He had been parked there for hours, staring at the building, waiting and watching.

He wished he had never remembered.

But he had. And now, he didn’t know how to face Mara. He didn’t know how to ask for forgiveness, and he refused to pretend he didn’t remember her.

So he just sat there, watching her from afar, wondering if he even had the right to step back into her life

The foundation was eerily quiet. The security team had been expertly lured away, leaving only a skeleton crew behind two men, easily taken down by Philip’s ruthless mercenaries.

The moment the coast was clear, Philip stepped through the entrance, his men flanking him like shadows. The dim light barely softened the menace in his expression. He had waited for this moment, had planned every detail meticulously. And now, Mara was finally within his grasp.

Mara stood frozen in her office, her breath shallow as she stared at the man who had haunted her nightmares. Her uncle. The man responsible for so much pain.

A gun pressed against her temple, the cold metal making her flinch. Her heart pounded violently against her ribs. Philip smirked, reveling in the fear in her eyes.

"You always were too smart for your own good, Mara," he mused, tilting his head. "But even the cleverest mice get caught eventually."

Mara clenched her fists, refusing to show weakness. "Where is Vera?"

Philip chuckled a dark and empty sound. "She served her purpose."

Rage ignited in Mara’s chest, but before she could respond, a crash shattered the tension. The door burst open, and chaos erupted.

A figure lunged forward, moving with deadly precision. In a blur of motion, he took down the man holding the gun to Mara’s head, sending him sprawling to the ground.

Philip barely had time to react before a second gun was trained on him.

Mara’s breath caught in her throat. "Rafael?"

Rafael’s gaze never wavered from Philip, his grip on the gun steady. "Run, Stefania. Now."

Philip’s expression darkened as he took a slow step forward. "Rafael, you don’t want to do this."

Rafael smirked, his finger twitching on the trigger. "Actually, I do."

No, just leave. It’s fine," Rafael said.

Mara was reluctant to leave she couldn’t let him get hurt because of her.

"Run, Stefania! Hurry!" Rafael shouted.

With great hesitation, Mara turned and bolted for the door. She kicked off her shoes as she ran, fumbling for her phone. She tried making a call, but just as she did, a gunshot rang out behind her.

Panic seized her, and the phone slipped from her grasp, clattering to the floor. She reached down to grab it, but the sound of approaching footsteps sent a jolt of fear through her.

She abandoned the phone and sprinted toward the exit, her heart hammering in her chest.