Queen of Wild Cards novel Chapter 275

Stella was placed in a small, private room on the first floor.

It was cramped and incredibly basic, containing only a bed and some blankets. There was nothing else.

No bathroom. No windows.

Likely designed that way to prevent her from escaping.

Still, compared to the basement, it was a massive upgrade.

"Is this to your liking, Ms. Hawthorne?"

"It's fine. Much better than down there. The only downside is the lack of a bathroom. Nature does call, after all."

"Not a problem. When you need to go, just ask the guard outside to escort you."

"Alright, thank you, Mr. Kaye." Stella smiled with such genuine sweetness it made Gideon's heart flutter with anticipation.

Just as he leaned in, hoping to steal a kiss, his phone rang.

He answered it and hurriedly rushed out.

Once he was gone, Stella inspected the tiny room. Aside from the main door, there truly wasn't any other way out.

She tried the handle. Ha, locked from the outside.

Gideon was nothing if not careful.

She figured there'd be guards posted outside twenty-four seven.

She knocked on the wood, and sure enough, the door opened from the other side.

"Um, excuse me, I need to use the restroom. Mr. Kaye said you could show me the way. Would you mind?"

Stella looked so beautifully helpless and fragile that the gruff guard's heart instantly softened.

It had been sitting there for ages, and no one came back for it, so I got greedy. I know I was wrong! Please, give me a chance, I swear I'll never do it again!"

"Take us to exactly where you found the car, and I'll let you go." Julius needed to inspect the area for any potential clues.

Julius took the wheel of Stella's car, while his men tossed the thief into a separate vehicle. Seeing the hulking bodyguards, the thief didn't dare try anything stupid and obediently led the way.

Upon arriving, Julius had the man stand exactly where the car had been parked. He snapped a few photos and let him go.

He scoured the empty clearing for hours but found absolutely nothing.

His disappointment was swallowed by a tidal wave of anxiety. She had been missing for an entire night. Where on earth was she?

One of his men tried to intervene. "Mr. Blackwood, you haven't slept at all. Your body can't handle this. You need to go back and rest."

"No. I'm not resting. There has to be something I missed. I'm going to search it again." Julius refused to stop; his only thought was finding Stella as fast as humanly possible.