Chapter 5 A New Game Begins

Max's anger burned like wildfire as he anxiously awaited news of Amelia Cooper. His men had scoured the city throughout the long, turbulent night looking for her, and now, his loyal assistant Michael had returned with an update. The air in Max's office seemed to crackle with tension.

Michael entered the room, sweat dripping on his forehead. "Sir, we have found her," he announced, his voice trembling slightly. "She was hiding at Jonathan's house. It took some searching, but we found her."

Max's sharp blue eyes stared into Michael's, a storm of emotions bubbling beneath the surface. "Where's Jonathan? That traitor," he hissed, his silk tie loosened with a snap of his fingers. "Bring it to me now."

Max paced back and forth, his anger and frustration evident. He muttered to himself: "This woman, do you think she can challenge me and insult me ​​in front of everyone? She will pay the price for her audacity."

Michael was about to leave and go to get Amelia until Max stopped him with an evil laugh and said with eyes burning with anger: "Wait, Michael, what do you intend to do Amelia?"

Michael was amazed and then said: "She is leaving the country. I have booked a ticket for the ten o'clock train."

Michael smiled and then said: "Then don't go get her, I have another plan. I will make her regret how to escape from the wedding!"

Max Holden was leaning back in his luxurious leather chair, and a semi-naked girl was sitting at his foot with a glass of wine in her hand, an evil smile turning towards the corners of his lips. He turned slightly, his fingers tapping rhythmically on the desk.

He looked at his loyal assistant, Michael, who was standing at attention at the door, ready to carry out any command. Max's voice was dripping with casual arrogance as he said, "You know, Michael, I think it's time for a little vacation."

Michael's expression remained neutral, but his eyes revealed a hint of curiosity. He had been Max's right-hand man for years, and he knew that when Max wanted a vacation, it was never for rest and relaxation. There were always ulterior motives. "Of course, Mr. Holden," Michael replied, maintaining his calm and professional demeanor.

Max leaned forward, his icy blue eyes locked with Michael's. "I want you to gather every detail about Emilia Cooper. I want to know everything from the day she was born to her likes, dislikes and deepest secrets. You left no stone unturned, Michael."

Michael nodded, his lips curving into a knowing smile. He's been down this road before. Max's obsession with Emilia had reached its peak, and it was clear he had something sinister on his mind.

Max continued, "And I want an ID card for someone named Charles Westwood, a man who doesn't exist. Make sure it's flawless, Michael. We can't afford any slip-ups." Michael's fingers twitched slightly, a sign of the weight of Max's request. "Understood, Mr. Holden. Is there anything else?"

Max's smile widened to reveal the depth of his hatred. "Oh, one more thing. Give me a new, untraceable phone number. I'll need it."

In the dimly lit room, Max's laughter echoed, a bone-chilling sound that sent shivers down Michael's spine. The stage was set, and the pieces were moving. Emilia's fate is at stake, and Max Holden is the puppet master, ready to pull the strings.

Michael's gaze never wavered, but he knew better than to question Max's intentions. He simply replied: "Consider it done." As Michael turned to leave, Max's eyes followed him, filled with evil expectation.

The girl sitting on Max's thigh spoke with overwhelming femininity as she whispered next to his lips: "Max, she is really a stupid girl, how could she run away from you!"

Max lifted the girl onto the desk and removed the rest of her clothes, kissing her passionately and deeply while he was angry with Amelie!

The girl moaned excitedly: "You really are a lunatic, Max."

Under Max's anger and intense desire, he took off his clothes and continued hitting the girl's thighs and chest, until he put his fingers inside her, and she moaned and screamed weakly: "Stronger... stronger, Max."

Emilia Cooper had dared to challenge him, to escape his grasp, and now he was determined to play a game of shadows, where every move would be carefully calculated.

*****

"At Jonathan's house"

Amelia Cooper, unaware of the storm that was about to hit her, was taken to Max's office. Her eyes, once defiant, now flashed with fear as they met Max's icy gaze.

"Amelia, do you have any idea what you've done? Do you dare defy me, run away from our wedding, from me?" said Max, the embodiment of berserk rage, his voice like an impending thunderclap.

Amelia's voice trembled as she stammered, "I...I couldn't go on with this, Max. I had to run away."

The room seemed to shrink as the tension rose. Max's features were etched with cold anger, but as his eyes stared into Amelia's, something else gleamed beneath the surface. Maybe it was hurtful, or maybe a glimmer of the passion that once burned between them.

The confrontation between them intensified, and their words were like sparks in the charged atmosphere. "You're going to regret this, Amelia," Max declared with frightening finality. "You can't just walk away from me."

Amelia, whose body was trembling, could only answer: "I will not be a prisoner, Max. I will not fall into the trap of marriage."

Amelia woke up shouting: "No, leave me, Max, please!"

She was dreaming and afraid, she could not imagine what would happen if Max found her! Jonathan came at the sound of her screaming.

Jonathan with fear and anxiety: "Amelia, what's going on with you? Are you okay?"

Amelia sighed when she realized it was a dream and said while trying to breathe slowly, "It was a terrible nightmare. I have to go, Jonathan."

Jonathan took pity on her and said: "Eat breakfast and we will go directly to the train."

Amelia Cooper stood in the dimly lit street, her heart heavy with a mixture of fear and determination. She has just said goodbye to her dear friend Jonathan, who provided refuge for her in her darkest times.

The wind tousled her hair, promising her a new beginning as she clutched her small bag tightly. The distant rumble of the train grew louder, drawing her from her thoughts. This was her way out, her escape from a life she could no longer bear.

As she approached the train station, bright fluorescent lights flashed overhead, casting long shadows on the platform. People were moving around, lost in their own worlds, oblivious to the turmoil happening inside Amelia. She scanned the signs, her eyes searching for the platform number. And there it was, Platform 4, the gateway to her new life. Her heart pounded in her chest as she joined the line to wait for the train to arrive.

As soon as she entered the train, her phone rang in her bag, and a text message came from Jonathan checking on her. "Are you okay Amelia?" I read. A weak smile spread across her face as she wrote, "Yes, I'm on the train. Thank you for everything."

There was an empty seat next to her that seemed to be reserved for someone coming, but the train was about to leave. Amelia was surprised and then ignored it!

When the train's departure seemed imminent, a figure appeared, breaking the quiet isolation of the platform. With piercing blue eyes and modest clothing of jeans and a simple T-shirt, this person appeared on the horizon. Their physique, adorned with well-defined muscles, exuded an air of strength and vitality.

Carelessly, he put behind him a bag full of essentials, to secure them for the next trip. The newcomer chose the seat next to Amelia, and the train set off.

Amelia, who was sitting by the window, looked up from her thoughts as the man next to her extended his hand with a warm, friendly smile. His blue eyes sparkled with curiosity as he introduced himself, "Hello, I'm Charles Westwood. And you?"

Amelia was surprised by this unexpected arrival, and accepted the handshake

Amelia returned his smile, finding his cheerful demeanor infectious. She shook his hand with a firm fist and replied, "I'm Amelia. Nice to meet you, Charles."

There was a moment of silence and then Charles bowed slightly, his eyes shining with playful intrigue. "It looks like you ran away from your wedding!" He said in a light but curious tone.

Amelia laughed softly, appreciating Charles's honesty. "You could say so," she admitted, her gaze returning to the passing scene beyond the window.

The outside world was a blur, just like the whirlwind of emotions that had led her here. Amelia did not want to get involved with any man. Her background was that men were all the same, but she felt a sense of dread and fear, perhaps because it was her first time leaving or because she was afraid of a life that might be surrounded by many men.

Meanwhile, Max Holden was victorious over the success of his plan, but he laughed inside her that she looked very young and not yet twenty years old, so how did she dare challenge him!