Please Come Back, My Love novel Chapter 216

Chapter 216

It felt like someone had punched tiny holes into my lungs, each breath leaking out through invisible punctures. My hands shook as dialed Manny’s number, praying he’d pick up. He didn’t.

“Think, Ami. Think!” I hissed through clenched teeth, fingers tangled in my hair. Manny was probably buried in one of his endless Chicago meetings. I had to find a way to reach Theron and fast. Chun Kit’s invitation wasn’t something I could ignore.

I exhaled slowly, trying to organize the chaos in my mind. First, I needed to get a message to Theron. Then, I had to call Rex and

somehow convince him to come with me. Objectively, he was the only logical choice not just because he could translate, but because

I trusted him.

I flicked my gaze to the corner of my laptop screen. Ten o’clock. Eleven hours to prepare for what, exactly, I couldn’t even guess.

Hong Kong wasn’t a destination anymore; it was a question mark.

“Lazaro… maybe he could help.” I muttered, digging through my purse for the business card he’d given me. I punched in the

number with fumbling fingers. Straight to voicemail.

Fantastic.

Still, I left a clipped, urgent message, hoping he’d check it soon and pass my words on to Theron. But it wasn’t enough. What if Lazaro’s phone stayed off all day? Knowing my luck, he wouldn’t hear a thing until I was halfway to Asia.

Yes, I was aware of how paranoid I sounded. But I was also painfully aware of who I was dealing with.

Chun Kit wasn’t just dangerous he was resourceful. The kind of man who could orchestrate an assassination and make it look like turbulence. And now he was asking me to board a plane he’d arranged?

Maybe I was overreacting. Or maybe I wasn’t reacting enough.

An email popped up with my flight details, and for a fleeting second, I felt a wave of relief. It was a commercial flight. Full of people. Surely they wouldn’t risk blowing up an entire plane just for me… right?

My anxiety, however, didn’t care for logic. It fed on time, growing hungrier with each passing minute. I needed someone to defuse the bomb ticking inside my head. Naturally, I called Romilly. And, naturally, I regretted it five seconds later.

“It’s a trap, obviously!” she shrieked. “He’s probably hired someone to kill you at the airport. Or kidnap you as soon as you land!”

I pinched the bridge of my nose. “Thanks, Romilly. That’s really calming.”

“But seriously, you have to get in touch with Theron.”

“Do you think I haven’t tried?” I snapped. “My secure phone is wrecked. Manny isn’t answering. Lazaro’s gone dark.”

She let out a sigh. “Maybe I can swing by his office. Pretend I have papers that need his signature.”

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Chapter 216

“Please. Do that,” I said, already shifting my thoughts to Rex. “I still need to let Rex know he’s coming with me

“You picked Rex over me?” she cut in, wounded.

I clenched my jaw. “You literally just told me this was a trap, and now you’re upset I didn’t invite you?”

“I’m your friend. And it’s first-class!” she argued.

My temples throbbed. “Romilly, I adore you. But tell me how fluent are you in Chinese?”

A beat of silence.

“I… pick things up quickly?”

“Not quickly enough,” I said flatly. “I’d love for you to come, truly. But you know Rex is the smarter choice.”

She sighed, resignation laced with disappointment. “I know.”

“I need you here. Right now, I need you to find Theron.”

“Fine,” she muttered. “I’ll let you know if I find anything.”

We hung up, and I immediately braced myself for the next call.

Fortunately, Rex didn’t need much convincing. He understood the stakes. He understood why it had to be him. Fluent in seven languages Chinese among them and just as skilled in programming as I was, Rex was the ideal partner to evaluate Pink Dolphin’s

work with me.

If only Romilly had been as successful in tracking down Theron as I had been in securing Rex’s help.

Theron had been a ghost all day. No sign of him at the office. My chances of reaching him were shrinking by the hour. Just after six, Romilly finally texted.

“Someone mentioned Theron’s at the consortium building. I’ll try my luck there.”

My heart stuttered.

“Thank you. I’m heading to the airport soon. Hopefully, you’ll catch him in time.”

Then it hit me.

Theron and Zinnia were flying to Hong Kong today too. What if their flight had already left? That would explain his complete disappearance.

I sagged slightly, realizing I might already be alone in this.

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Chapter 216

Dragging a few more pieces of clothing into my suitcase, I packed with the desperation of someone preparing for the unknown. didn’t know how long I’d be gone, what I’d face or who I’d be facing. With my bag zipped, laptop slung over my shoulder, I left the

apartment.

I tried Romilly again on the way to the airport. This time, her phone was dead.

“Damn it,” I muttered. Probably forgot to charge it. She did that far too often, and today of all days, of course she had.

“Something wrong?” Hollis asked, catching my eye in the rearview mirror.

“No… Yes… Everything,” I admitted with a strained smile.

“It’ll work out,” he said gently.

I knew he meant well, but his words couldn’t touch the storm in my chest. Ten minutes later, we pulled up at JFK. Hollis helped

with my luggage, and to my relief, I spotted Rex waiting inside.

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