Second Marriage, The Billionaire's Planned Love novel Chapter 166

166 Chapter 166 Truth From Ashes

Caleb’s POV 1

My nerves were stretched to the breaking point as I waited for updates from my enforcers. The surveillance team had pinpointed the cell tower location and established a search radius. Multiple crews were already mobilizing toward the target area across our territory.

My secure phone buzzed with an incoming call from Madeline, Finn’s mother and one of our most trusted family associates.

“Don Thorne, it’s Madeline.”

“Our soldiers just arrived with their tracking specialists. They’re moving in

now.”

Relief flooded through me. “Thank God. Madeline, you need to get out of there immediately.”

“Absolutely not. I’m perfectly safe in my position. I’m staying put,” she declared with stubborn determination that reminded me why Finn’s family had earned their place in our inner circle.

“Mrs. Taylor, you can’t see anything in this darkness anyway,” Finn protested

from beside me in our command center.

“Actually, while I was waiting by the safe house entrance, I had Martha fetch your surveillance binoculars. I’m quite fond of them now, so you’ll need to purchase another pair because these are mine now. They have excellent night vision capabilities.” Madeline’s matter-of-fact tone was remarkable given the

circumstances.

“Mrs. Taylor, for crying out loud, you’re not some undercover operative,” Finn groaned, covering his face with his palm.

“I’m superior to any federal agent. Our Don confirmed it.” Despite the overwhelming tension, Madeline somehow managed to draw laughter from

166 Chapter 166 Truth From Ashes

everyone in our war room.

“Madeline, you’re absolutely incredible. I can’t thank you enough,” I said with genuine gratitude toward this brave woman who had risked everything for my family.

“Don Thorne, sweetheart, everything will work out perfectly. Keep your faith strong,” she responded warmly through our encrypted line. “They’re emerging now. Two women are being escorted into our transport vehicles.”

My radio crackled to life. “Boss, what’s your status?”

“Max is safe in my custody right now, Don Thorne. He appears unharmed, but I’m transporting him to our private medical facility first for evaluation and a complete health assessment. After that, we’ll convoy back to Port Serenity. We have three captives secured, but given the sensitive nature of this family matter, we’ll handle interrogation here before deciding their fate,” Daniel explained.

“Daniel, can’t you arrange air transport? We’re extremely anxious about Max,” Xavier pressed from across the room.

“I could arrange that, Xavier, but coordinating clearance through our aviation

contacts would consume too much time.”

“I’ll charter private aircraft immediately so you can return as quickly as possible. How many passengers will you have?” Xavier asked without hesitation, already reaching for his phone to contact our pilots.

“Having wealthy allies certainly has its advantages,” Daniel chuckled through the static. “Proceed with that arrangement and provide me the logistics. My party includes myself, Max, the three prisoners, and three of my men.”

“Daniel, inform him I’m heading to the medical facility to check on little Max’s condition. He recognizes me, and I can provide comfort to the poor child,” Madeline spoke rapidly into her secure phone.

“Did you catch that, Daniel? Her name is Madeline Taylor,” Xavier relayed through our communication network.

16:57

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“Her presence at our facility would be tremendously helpful. Max is genuinely terrified after what those animals put him through,” the captain confirmed, making my chest tighten with concern for my son.

“Excellent. I’ll contact you within minutes,” Xavier disconnected while Jude was already coordinating the aircraft charter with our aviation subsidiary.

All logistics were arranged and information exchanged through our secure channels. Hours after his rescue, my son was airborne, returning to me aboard one of our family jets. Finn’s parents chose to accompany the flight since Max refused to leave Madeline’s protective embrace after encountering her at the medical facility.

Madeline initiated a video call through our encrypted system, allowing Max to speak with us briefly. Emotion overwhelmed everyone in our command center. I contacted our estate, instructing Walter to notify all family members that Max had been recovered safely. I requested they remain at the compound, as I would bring Max there for their care while we continued our operation to locate Ivy.

Now I needed to find my queen. The search operation was still active, but the terrain proved challenging and was hampering our ground teams’ efforts.

Gemma approached and addressed me with the deference befitting my position. “Don Thorne, I apologize for the interruption, but Mr. Loxley is requesting an urgent audience with you. He claims it concerns sensitive family business. He’s called repeatedly today and is currently in our lobby.”

“How peculiar. What could he possibly want with our family?” Xavier wondered, his suspicious nature immediately activated.

“Don Thorne, he only mentioned urgent business matters, but emphasized it was extremely time-sensitive,” Gemma clarified. “He wouldn’t elaborate further to my security team.”

“Gemma, clear him through our screening process. I’ll meet him in Jude’s office,” I decided, finding Loxley’s persistence intriguing given his usual distance from our operations.

16:58 C

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Xavier and I proceeded to Jude’s secured office within our headquarters. When Loxley arrived, Gemma escorted him inside after our security sweep

confirmed he was unarmed.

“Loxley, I apologize, but today has been extraordinarily complicated for our family,” I said while greeting him with measured caution.

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