My Darling Ex-Wife Is Unaware I’m Rich

Chapter 25: The Clocks Start Now

Richard tightened his grip on the steering wheel, his knuckles white against the leather. The hospital loomed ahead, its clean white walls stark against the soft morning sky. Beside him, Fiona rummaged through her purse, her expression distracted as she searched for her phone.

“I hope Abigail is on duty,” Fiona said. “Emma always says how good she is with her.” She paused, her words trailing off as Richard’s phone began to ring.

The caller ID flashed across the dashboard: **Chief of the Medical Board**.

Richard frowned and answered, keeping one hand firmly on the wheel. “Doctor? Is everything all right?”

The voice on the other end was hesitant, each word carrying a weight Richard immediately recognized as bad news.

“Richard, I don’t know how to say this, but there’s been an incident. Your daughter, Emma, has been kidnapped.”

For a moment, Richard forgot to breathe. The world outside the car blurred, his focus narrowing to those few impossible words.

“Kidnapped?” he said, his voice low and controlled, though his hands trembled.

“We’re deeply sorry. The police are already on the scene and investigating. We’re doing everything we can to find her.”

Richard forced himself to breathe, to think. He swallowed hard, glancing at Fiona, who was obliviously scrolling through her phone. He couldn’t tell her here, not yet.

“Thank you for letting me know,” he said, his voice steady despite the panic rising in his chest. “We’re on our way.”

Ending the call, he slid the phone into the cupholder.

“What was that about?” Fiona asked, her sharp gaze turning toward him.

Richard hesitated, gripping the wheel tighter. “Just the hospital checking in. They want to make sure we meet with them as soon as we arrive.”

Fiona frowned but said nothing more, returning to her phone.

---

When they arrived at the hospital, the chaos was undeniable. Police officers swarmed the lobby, their radios crackling with chatter. Staff moved nervously, avoiding the grim-faced detectives speaking with administrators.

“Why are there police here?” Fiona asked, her voice rising with unease.

Richard didn’t answer, steering her toward the reception desk where the Chief of the Medical Board stood waiting, his face pale and drawn.

“Richard, Fiona,” the Chief began, his voice unsteady.

Fiona’s eyes narrowed. “What’s going on? Where’s Emma?”

The Chief glanced at Richard, who gave him a small nod.

“It’s about Emma,” the Chief said, carefully choosing his words. “There’s been an incident.”

“What kind of incident?” Fiona demanded.

Taking a deep breath, Richard placed a steadying hand on her shoulder. “She’s been kidnapped,” he said quietly.

Fiona froze, her eyes wide in disbelief. “Kidnapped?” The word fell from her lips like a curse, her voice breaking. She turned on the Chief, her face contorted with rage.

“You were supposed to keep her safe!” she screamed, grabbing his coat lapels. “This is your fault! How could you let this happen?”

“Mrs. Hawthorn, please,” the Chief stammered, trying to calm her.

Richard pulled Fiona back, his own voice firm. “Fiona, stop. This isn’t helping.”

Fiona’s anger dissolved into trembling sobs as she collapsed into a nearby chair.

---

In the Chief’s office, away from the chaos of the lobby, he locked the door and dialed a number he had hoped never to use.

“Marcus,” he said when the call connected, his voice shaky. “We have a problem.”

“What kind of problem?” Marcus asked, his tone clipped.

“It’s Emma Wright. She’s been taken.”

There was a pause, followed by a heavy sigh. “Damn it. How did this happen?”

“I don’t know,” the Chief admitted. “The police are involved, but this could complicate things.”

“Of course it complicates things,” Marcus snapped. “Do you have any idea what’s at stake?”

“I do,” the Chief whispered.

“Good. Then you know what to do. I’ll handle the rest,” Marcus said, ending the call abruptly.

Marcus turned to his son, Alfred, who stood by the window, arms crossed.

“It’s Emma,” Marcus said. “She’s been taken.”

Alfred’s expression darkened. “Alphonse and Lenox?”

“Most likely,” Marcus replied. “They’ve been circling her for weeks.”

“What’s the plan?” Alfred asked, his jaw tight.

“We don’t make a move yet,” Marcus said firmly. “First, we need to tell Maxwell. He’s the one most likely to act impulsively, and we can’t afford that.”

Alfred nodded, though unease churned in his stomach. Maxwell’s temper was infamous, and this situation would test every ounce of his restraint.

-

At Maxwell’s penthouse, Alfred knocked sharply on the door. Jackson, Maxwell’s butler, let him in. Maxwell was seated at his desk, eyes fixed on his laptop.

“Alfred,” Maxwell said without looking up. “What is it?”

Alfred hesitated, then stepped forward. “It’s about Emma.”

Maxwell’s gaze snapped to him, his expression darkening. “What about her?”

“She’s been taken,” Alfred said, his tone blunt but careful.

For a moment, Maxwell was silent, his expression unreadable. Then he stood abruptly, his chair clattering to the floor.

“By who?” he demanded.

“Alphonse and Lenox,” Alfred replied. “They think they can use her to get to us.”

Maxwell’s fists clenched, his eyes blazing. “They want to use her as leverage. They think I’ll fold.”

“Maxwell, you need to stay calm,” Alfred said, stepping closer.

“Calm?” Maxwell’s voice was dangerously low. “My ex-wife has been kidnapped, and you’re telling me to stay calm?”

“Yes,” Alfred said firmly. “Because if you lose control, you’ll play right into their hands. We need to act strategically.”

Maxwell paced like a caged lion, his mind racing. Every instinct screamed at him to storm Alphonse’s compound and tear it apart brick by brick, but Alfred was right. Acting without a plan would put Emma in even greater danger.

“Fine,” Maxwell growled. “But we don’t wait long. The longer they have her, the more danger she’s in.”

“Agreed,” Alfred said, placing a hand on his shoulder.

Maxwell didn’t respond. In his mind, the clock was already ticking, and when it ran out, Alphonse and Lenox would learn just how ruthless he could be.