Chapter 4 He Is Awake

As Valerie scrolled through her contact list, her fingers hovered for a moment before she sent the video to her friend for them to upload it online.

"Think you can toy with me? Well, you're in for a rude awakening!"

Valerie drew a deep breath, forcing the fire in her chest to simmer. But then the thought of her mother brought a fresh wave of pain that pierced her resolve.

Pulling out the weathered photograph from her wallet, she traced her mother's gentle smile with trembling fingers. "Mom, I swear-I'll find a way. I'll save you. No matter what it takes."

After slipping the photo back into her wallet, Valerie noticed something slipping free and landing softly on the table.

Frowning, she picked it up-a gold-plated cufflink, its sleek surface adorned with a crescent-shaped cutout that shimmered under the light. Her breath hitched.

This wasn't just any cufflink. It was her creation.

Years ago, she'd been approached by an enigmatic client who had paid an astronomical sum-one hundred million dollars-for a single, custom-made piece.

It wasn't just a fashion accessory; it was a marvel of engineering, equipped with a GPS tracker and a concealed lifesaving mechanism.

She'd poured months of her life into its creation, yet had only ever produced this singular item.

But how on earth was it in her wallet now?

Her mind raced, piecing together fragmented memories.

Flashes of her hastily gathering her belongings and storming out of that hotel room came to her.

Could it have been... him?

Whoever owned this cufflink wasn't ordinary. No, they were dangerous. Powerful. The kind of person she didn't want to cross paths with-at least not now.

Valerie's chest tightened, her breath quickening.

She turned the cufflink over in her hand, its weight carrying more than just metal-it carried secrets. Her fingers found a silver needle in her bag, and with practiced precision, she manipulated the cufflink's hidden mechanism.

A sharp click echoed through the room.

After disabling the cufflink's tracking system, Valerie exhaled deeply, her shoulders easing just slightly. The adrenaline coursing through her began to wane, leaving a dull exhaustion in its wake. She washed up and was preparing to collapse into her bed when a firm knock sounded at her door.

"Mrs. Holt, you are required to sleep in Mr. Holt's room tonight to ensure he is cared for at all times," a servant said politely yet firmly.

Valerie's jaw clenched. She hated this-but for her mother's sake, she swallowed her frustration and nodded curtly.

Grabbing her pillow and blanket, she made her way to Jonathan's room.

The dim lighting softened the room's edges as she stood at the foot of the bed.

Her gaze fell on the man lying there, his face an unsettling mix of strength and vulnerability. His sharp features seemed carved from stone-too perfect, too unyielding. "What a shame!" she murmured under her breath, her voice barely audible.

For all his striking looks, Jonathan's reputation was less than enviable. Difficult. Mercurial. Impossible to deal with. Still, a flicker of thought crossed her mind. If only he were awake, maybe... just maybe... he could help her find her mother.

But the idea dissipated as quickly as it had come to Valerie. The rumors about him weren't just whispers-they were truths, each one sharp and undeniable.

Expecting help from him was like expecting kindness from a storm.

No, she would find her mother on her own.

Her body finally began to give in to fatigue.

Eyeing the expansive bed, Valerie hesitated briefly before deciding. With a sigh, she spread out her blanket and settled down on the opposite side, maintaining a wide gulf of space between them.

The bed was large enough to feel like an island, the emptiness almost swallowing her whole.

She yawned, her lashes fluttering closed as the heaviness of sleep wrapped around her.

In the stillness of the night, Jonathan's eyes flicked open.

His piercing, icy gaze roamed the room before settling on Valerie, who lay asleep beside him. In the faint light, his expression seemed more predator than patient, a chilling intensity radiating from his pupils.

Valerie stirred uneasily in her sleep, a prickle of discomfort waking her. Her eyes fluttered open, and for a split second, she froze. Jonathan was awake-and staring directly at her. Her heart leapt into her throat, but her instincts kicked in. Without a word, she bolted upright, flinging herself off the bed.

"Jonathan is awake!" she shouted, her voice breaking through the quiet like a sharp blade as she dashed out of the room.

The commotion roused the household, and within minutes, everyone showed up.

A private doctor arrived swiftly, his medical kit in tow.

As Valerie stood in the hallway, catching her breath, another figure emerged-a middle-aged man with a commanding presence, his perfectly tailored suit and sharp features exuding authority. His cold gaze swept the room before landing on Valerie.

"You're Jonathan's new wife?" His voice was calm but carried the weight of expectation, each word like a hammer striking stone.

Valerie nodded.

His expression hardened further. "Now that you've married into the Holt family, you'd better remember your role. Take good care of Jonathan. We don't tolerate incompetence."

The words cut like a knife, both a warning and a threat.

Yet Valerie remained composed, her lips curving into a faint smile that concealed the tension brewing within.

"Rest assured," she replied smoothly, her tone polite but unwavering. "I won't disappoint you."