Chapter 5 Intimidation

Their eyes met, and Skylar froze. He hadn't expected to slap a hand over her mouth on impulse like that.The soft warmth of her lips against his palm sent a sharp jolt through him.

With her mouth covered, her pretty face somehow looked even more striking-wide, startled eyes locked on his.

Skylar pulled his hand back right away."You spit on me," he said, acting disgusted.

"Huh?" Sandara stared at him. What nonsense is he talking about?

She wiped her own lips, then grabbed his hand and wiped it with the sleeve of her jacket.

"What are you doing?" Skylar's face darkened.

"You covered my mouth, so you probably touched some of my spit. I'm cleaning it off," she said like it was obvious.

Skylar pressed his lips together, embarrassed enough to want the ground to swallow him.

Sandara kept wiping, then lifted his wrist and sniffed lightly."Mhm. Smells pretty nice," she said casually, handing his hand back.

Skylar wondered if he'd just met someone... not very bright. Maybe even a fool.

Up front, the driver and assistant exchanged stunned looks.It was the first time they'd ever seen their boss let a woman touch him-without flinching. And his expression... a mix of irritation, shock, and something like a man who'd kicked steel and refused to admit it hurt.

Weird. Completely weird.

...

At the hospital entrance, the assistant hurried to open the door for her.Sandara stepped out and thanked him politely.

But the moment Skylar's car pulled away, her sweet, harmless smile disappeared.She took out her phone.

"Hello? Did you threaten him properly? He just drove off."

"He left?" Ryan lifted a brow. "Was my intimidation that weak?"

"Obviously. Useless. Next time you need a face‑change expert, don't call me," she shot back, ready to hang up.

"Don't! My Goddess, I was wrong. I'll fix it!"

Her tone instantly softened into a sweet laugh. "Good. I'll be waiting, darling."

The word darling made goosebumps crawl up Ryan's arms.

Not long after Skylar left, his personal phone rang."Mr. Addams," a deep voice said, "seems like your daughter doesn't matter much to you after all."

Skylar's face darkened. "You're courting death."

Ryan chuckled. "If I die, no one cures your daughter's aphasia. So listen carefully. Stay by that poor girl's side. Protect her. Comfort her. Take care of her fragile little heart."

And he hung up.

Fury flashed in Skylar's eyes-sharp, cold, impossible to contain.Someone dared to use his daughter against him?

"Find him," Skylar said. "Dig through the earth if you have to. Bring me this Dr. Eclipse."

"Yes, sir!" the assistant stammered.

"If he knows my every move..." Skylar narrowed his eyes.He was either nearby.

Or-

...

In the hospital hallway, Sandara pushed open the ward door quietly.

"Mom!" Emily and Joe rushed at her, wrapping their little arms around her legs.

A real smile pulled at her lips. She crouched and kissed both kids on the cheek.

Joe leaned close. "Mom, did they bully you at the police station?"

Sandara ruffled his hair. "Your mom? No one can bully me."

On the bed, Grandpa Wellington suddenly went into a coughing fit.

"Grandpa!" Sandara hurried over.Didn't the doctor say he was fine? Why was he coughing like he was dying?

"Sandara..." His trembling hand grabbed hers. "I don't have much time... The farm... only you can take it over..."

"Grandpa, stop talking like that," she said gently.

He looked half‑dead, eyes barely open, voice thinning like he was fading away."Promise me... you'll run the farm..."

Sandara's eyebrow twitched.Here we go.

Her instincts said he was acting again.

But it had been seven years. Maybe it was time to stop running and take back what was hers.

"Okay, Grandpa. I promise. I'm not leaving this time."

"Really?" His eyes lit up immediately, all trace of weakness gone.

Sandara exhaled.Yep. Definitely acting.

"Grandpa, your acting is getting worse," she muttered, dragging a chair over.

"I don't care. You agreed. That's what matters," he said stubbornly.

"Yeah, yeah." She picked up an apple and started peeling it for him.

Just then, a doctor walked in and asked to speak to her in his office.

Sandara set the apple down. "Kids, stay here with Great‑Grandpa. Don't run around."

"Yes, Mommy!" they chirped.

...

Outside the hospital, a black luxury car stopped.The assistant stepped out and opened the door.

After a moment, Skylar got out and walked in.

"Mr. Addams," the assistant whispered, "Sandara's grandfather is on the sixteenth floor."

Skylar didn't respond. He stepped into the elevator.

When the doors opened, he walked out and spotted a tiny figure standing alone in the hallway.

His expression softened immediately.

He crouched and lifted the little girl into his arms."Sweetheart, why'd you come to the hospital by yourself?"

The girl froze, staring at the stranger holding her.

She'd only gone downstairs to buy ice cream with Great‑Grandpa's pocket money...How did she end up in a strange man's arms?

Kidnapper.

She remembered all those videos about traffickers pretending to be relatives.Even if the kid cried, the adults would say she was misbehaving.

Emily's little brain spun fast.

She didn't resist.She didn't cry.

She stayed perfectly still in the kidnapper‑uncle's arms... waiting for her chance.

Skylar pressed the elevator button, planning to take her down.

At the third floor, a couple stepped inside. The woman was complaining loudly.

Perfect.

Emily reached out a small hand-and slapped the woman across the face.

"Who hit me?!" the woman shrieked.

Emily pointed straight at the "trafficker uncle."

The woman looked ready to explode-but froze when she saw Skylar's ridiculously handsome face.

"You dare hit my wife?!" her husband yelled and swung.

The assistant caught the punch easily and shoved the man out when the doors opened.

He stumbled across the floor.

"You-!" the wife screamed. "Help! They're attacking us! Someone's gonna die!"

Skylar frowned.He tried to walk away, but she blocked him stubbornly as a crowd gathered.

Emily's eyes curved in satisfaction.Genius. Absolute genius.She'd tricked the trafficker into the mess.

"Take the child to the car," Skylar ordered. "I'll handle this."

The assistant carried her out."Stay here and be good," he told her.

She nodded sweetly.

The second he walked away-she opened the car door and slipped out.

Moments later, Skylar finished with the commotion and met the assistant outside.

"Where's the child?"

"In the car."

They opened the door.

Empty.

"Where is she?" Skylar's voice dropped, cold and dangerous.

"I-I'll check the cameras!" the assistant stammered and ran back inside.

***