Dumped My Cheating Ex. Now I'm Sleeping Next to a Billionaire CEO novel Chapter 1318

James had been wiping blood from his hands when the Major’s words hit him. He froze, replaying the scene in his mind, every detail flashing in front of his eyes. The man they’d just faced might have seemed unhinged, but there was no recklessness in his eyes, none of that look people have when they know they’re about to die. He hadn’t come here to die. Which meant Steve was never the real target.

James’s face fell. Panic rose up in his chest.

“Shit,” he muttered, and suddenly he was running, fast and desperate.

Calony stared after him, shocked, then hurried to catch up. “Mr. Nelson, wait! What’s going on? Where are you headed?”

James stormed through the hallway, talking so quickly Calony almost missed it. “It was all a distraction. If the guy didn’t want to blow up Steve and was just causing chaos to buy time, then the real mark isn’t Steve… it’s my wife.”

Realization hit hard. James felt like an idiot for not seeing it sooner. That man hadn’t just come for revenge. He was just there to lure James away, make sure he was trapped at the hospital with a bomb, leaving Emmy right out in the open.

His hands trembled as he dug out his phone, dialing Emmy’s number. It rang, and rang, and rang. The sound stretched on, each second grinding into him, nerves fraying.

No answer. His chest tightened, dread settling into the pit of his stomach.

He didn't wait. He shoved his sleeve up and pulled up the display on his AI watch, trying to reach Penny instead.

“Penny, answer me. Please.” His voice came out low, nearly pleading.

The hologram on the watch flickered, but only a burst of static replied. Still nothing. No connection. A wave of fear, raw and sharp, seized him.

He raised his voice, nearly shouting into the comm channel. “Security team, all units, mobilize now. Find my wife, whatever it takes. Move!”

Calony, seeing James losing his usual control, realized just how bad things were. He hurried after him, calling out, “Don’t freak. Use my helicopter. We’ll get there faster.”

He grabbed his radio, barking orders before James could even thank him. “All special teams, move out now. Support Janus Sphere Technologies security. Locate Mrs. Nelson. Now.”

James glanced back, eyes full of gratitude. “Thank you. We have to hurry.”

As soon as the words left her lips, both women started suiting up. They checked their oxygen tanks, secured their regulators and masks. A few quick glances, and then—

Splash. Splash.

Both of them hit the water almost at the same time, slipping beneath the surface like sleek, determined mermaids.

A beat later, Penny jumped in after them, trailing Emmy closely.

The sea wrapped around them in an instant, muffling every sound except their own slow breaths and the rising thrum of bubbles.

She didn’t realize Mercedes had already slowed behind her, holding back, watching... waiting.