Heaven or Hell: Loving My Twisted Billionaire novel Chapter 76

Chapter 76

Hannah’s POV

Victoria froze, her composure momentarily shattered. I felt my breath catch in my throat as we exchanged a quick glance.

“Missing?” Victoria’s voice sharpened. “What do you mean, missing? Since when?”

I leaned forward. “What happened? Was there any sign of-” I stopped myself from saying “foul play,” remembering my own

recent kidnapping.

The maid twisted her hands in her apron. “I don’t know many details, ma’am. She didn’t return from her afternoon

shopping trip. That’s all I’ve heard.”

“And William?” Victoria asked, already rising to her feet. “Has he been informed?”

“Yes, Mrs. Sterling. Mr. Sterling has already returned to the estate. He’s in the main hall now, and he’s…” the maid

hesitated, “…quite upset.”

The main hall of Sterling Estate was a scene of controlled chaos as Victoria and I arrived. Twenty security guards stood in

rigid formation, their faces etched with barely concealed anxiety. The polished marble floor reflected their tense

expressions like a mirror to their fear.

William Sterling had just rushed in, his tailored suit slightly rumpled from what must have been a hasty return. His face was flushed with anger as he paced across the hall, firing questions at the head of security.

“Sir, Smith, the head butler, approached William cautiously. “Should we call the police?”

William’s response was to smash the crystal tumbler of whiskey he was holding against the nearest wall. Glass shards exploded outward, the amber liquid creating a starburst pattern on the cream–colored wallpaper.

“The police?” William hissed. “And tell them what? That my son has taken his latest revenge?”

My heart skipped a beat. The accusation against Finn hung in the air, sharp as the glass fragments scattered across the floor.

William turned to the security team leader, a tall man whose professional demeanor couldn’t quite mask his discomfort. “Explain to me again how two women vanished from under your noses.”

The man swallowed hard. “Mrs. Sophia was shopping at the Cartier boutique on Fifth Avenue with her security detail. She went into the private viewing room with her assistant to try on the new collection, and when our men checked ten minutes later… both women had vanished.”

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Another security officer stepped forward. “The store’s security footage shows them entering the room, but there’s no record

of them leaving through any exit. The boutique staff are baffled. We’ve searched the entire store and surrounding blocks.

They’re both gone, sir.”

William’s laugh was cold and bitter. “Fascinating. Two grown women just disappeared from one of the most exclusive

shops in Manhattan, under the watch of Sterling security.” His voice dropped to a dangerous whisper. “What exactly am I

paying you people for?”

“It’s Finn,” William stated flatly, turning to Victoria. “We just dealt with her nearly drowning in the river, and now Sophia

disappears? Who else could it be?”

Victoria stepped forward, her elegant frame somehow commanding attention despite William’s explosive anger. “You’re

jumping to conclusions, William. Finn would never-”

“Never what?” William cut her off. “Never kidnap Sophia? After what she did to him? After what I did?” His voice cracked

slightly at the end, revealing a vulnerability I hadn’t seen in him before.

“Smith,” William barked, “contact my son. Tell him to get here. Now.”

The butler nodded nervously. “We’ve been trying, sir. Mr. Sterling isn’t answering his phone.”

“Of course he isn’t,” William muttered. “Only Hellbound could operate with this level of precision. And who controls

Hellbound? My son.”

“He’s not answering because his phone is probably dead,” Victoria insisted. “He wouldn’t do this.”

“You’ve always been blind when it comes to him,” William said, his tone suddenly weary. “You refuse to see what he’s

become.”

The tension between mother and son crackled like electricity. I stood quietly, trying to make sense of the accusation.

Could Finn really have kidnapped Sophia and her assistant? The thought made my stomach twist.

Suddenly, my phone vibrated in my pocket. The screen displayed Finn’s name. William noticed immediately, his eyes

darting to Victoria with undisguised accusation.

“Not answering because his phone is dead, Mother?” William’s voice dripped with sarcasm. “How convenient that it’s

miraculously working now.”

Victoria cleared her throat, a faint flush creeping up her neck. She smoothed her already immaculate blouse, chin lifting

slightly. “Obviously he’s charging it now,” she replied with the practiced calm of someone who’d spent decades defending

her grandson. “People do plug in their devices when needed, William. It’s hardly evidence of wrongdoing.”

The look they exchanged spoke volumes–William’s exasperation meeting Victoria’s unwavering loyalty to Finn. Even faced

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with damning timing, she would find a way to shield him.

“Answer it,” he commanded. “Put it on speaker.”

With trembling fingers, I accepted the call and pressed the speaker button.

“Hannah.” Finn’s voice was low and controlled, sending an involuntary shiver down my spine. “I’m coming to collect what

we discussed. I trust you have my bargaining chip ready.”

William’s eyes narrowed, his gaze pinning me like an insect to a board. Before I could respond, I hurriedly explained,

“Finn, something’s happened. Sophia and her assistant are missing. Everyone’s worried they might have been… taken.”

A heavy silence followed.

“I’ll be there in ten minutes,” Finn said finally, his tone revealing nothing.

After he hung up, William turned to me, his eyes cold and calculating. “What bargaining chip was my son referring to?”

My cheeks flushed hot with embarrassment. “He was just… he meant…” I stammered, then took a deep breath. “He was

asking about my recovery. The doctor said I should rest before we continue with our… arrangement.”

William cleared his throat awkwardly, clearly understanding what I was referring to. He didn’t press further on that topic,

apparently uncomfortable with the intimate nature of the conversation.

Minutes later, the main doors swung open. Finn strode in, wearing a deep blue shirt that wasn’t quite properly buttoned

and a black overcoat that billowed behind him like a shadow. Dark sunglasses concealed his eyes, but his posture radiated

danger.

I subtly shook my head, silently begging him not to admit to anything.

“Missing woman, Father?” Finn drawled, his voice dripping with sarcasm. He leaned against the doorframe, his posture

deceptively casual.

“She has been with you so long, I imagine you’re growing tired of her. Need me to find you some replacements?”