Done with Cheater's Coldness Shine in Rival's Arms novel Chapter 3

Chapter 3 W-What Are You Gonna Do?

Finished

“Quinn Hart, there’s a line even for being unreasonable,” Felix snapped, his eyes filled with disappointment. “Tell me where Lila is, and I’ll let the rest slide.”

“I said I don’t know where Lila is.” Quinn stared him down, every word sharp. “Her abduction has nothing to do with me.”

In the next second, Felix’s hand clamped around her neck. As his fingers tightened, Quinn’s breathing turned ragged, her vision blurring. Just as she neared unconsciousness, a phone rang.

Felix let her go. His assistant’s voice came through—they’d found Lila. He didn’t spare Quinn another glance, hurrying toward the door with urgent steps.

Quinn collapsed to the floor, her face pale. Bruises already bloomed on her neck, a stark, ugly contrast against her fair skin. The sound of a car engine faded into the distance.

After catching her breath, she slowly stood, stumbling to the bathroom. When she saw her disheveled reflection in the mirror, tears finally spilled over. Seven years with Felix-seven years of love, and he couldn’t even trust her.

Taking a deep breath, Quinn forced herself to calm down. She cleaned up, applied ointment to her neck, and collapsed into bed, exhaustion pulling her into a deep sleep.

Early the next morning, a text from her assistant popped up, “Miss Hart, Mr. Cole called a board meeting-did you get the notice?”

Felix’s company was built by the two of them. Quinn had landed countless deals by drinking herself sick at negotiations, outcompeting rivals. She deserved a heads-up about a board meeting-but she’d heard nothing.

She texted her assistant to keep an eye on Felix’s moves, then rushed to get ready.

Downstairs, she reached her car, but as she opened the door, a sense of dread hit her. Before she could run, a cloth soaked in chemicals was pressed over her nose and mouth. Her consciousness faded instantly.

When she woke, she was trapped in a burlap sack, her mouth gagged with a towel, hands and feet bound with rope. She struggled, but the knots held fast.

Just as she tried to think of a way out, a familiar male voice echoed outside, “Is this the one who messed with Lila?”

Quinn froze-her blood ran cold. It was Felix. She whimpered, trying to alert him, but a sharp kick to her ribs silenced her. “Shut the hell up!”

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Chapter 3 W-What Are You Gonna Do?

Finished

Felix glared at the sack on the floor, his voice icy. “Whoever had the balls to touch my girl deserves a lesson.”

“Felix, isn’t this going too far?” Lila clung to his arm, pressing herself against him, her voice fake timid. “Let it go-I’m fine, you found me in time. Really, it’s okay.”

Felix’s heart softened at her innocent act. He brushed his thumb over her cheek. “I have to. Otherwise, they’ll think they can get away with kidnapping you. Lila, I won’t let anyone hurt you.”

Quinn’s struggling stopped as she listened. Suddenly, she was hoisted into the air. Through the thin fabric of the sack, she watched Felix approach.

Crack!

A baseball bat slammed into her body. Quinn gasped, tasting iron in her mouth, her vision blurring. But Felix didn’t stop-he swung again and again, a total of 99 times, before dropping the bat.

He turned to Lila, leaving Quinn hanging. Moments later, she was lowered to the ground. The towel gagging her was soaked through with blood, a sickening red.

Obscene laughter filled the air.

Hearing they had spoken of “Miss Carter” and their intentions, a chill shot straight down Quinn’s spine.

Lila is behind this—she wants to destroy me completely.

She plotted her escape, inching toward the van door. But just as her hand touched the handle, someone grabbed her hair, yanking her back so hard her scalp burned. “B*tch! You think you

can run?”

Quinn bit her lip, her eyes blazing with rage. Trapped and desperate, her fingers brushed something cold—a scrap of metal. In an instant, she made her decision.

As the man leaned in with more rope, she clutched the metal shard and pressed it to his throat.

“W-What are you gonna do?” he stammered as blood trickled down his neck.

“Let me go,” Quinn growled, her voice hoarse and dangerous.

Before he could answer, a loud crash erupted outside, followed by the sounds of a fight.

The van door flew open. Several men in black suits stood there, led by a sleek man with wire- rimmed glasses. “Miss Hart, we’re sorry we’re late.”

Quinn stared at them, wary and confused. “Who are you?” she croaked.