Second Marriage, The Billionaire's Planned Love novel Chapter 198

198 Chapter 198 Brutal Retaliation

Caleb’s POV 1

Several days had passed since Underboss Daniel delivered the grim news about the coordinated assault on Roman Rossi’s remaining strongholds and his unexpected infiltration into our territory. I shared the intelligence with Ivy that rival families were closing in on our operations. She grew increasingly restless from the mandatory confinement that stretched deep into her final trimester. Extended weeks locked within our fortress had left her visibly drained, her swelling belly making even basic movements exhausting. Her strength ebbed daily, forcing me to conduct all family business from our private quarters. I refused to leave her exposed and vulnerable. Our inner circle maintained constant surveillance, rotating armed guards throughout each day and night.

The afternoon sun filtered through bulletproof windows as I prepared for an unavoidable meeting at our downtown front operation. I pressed a tender kiss to Ivy’s lips, then bent to caress the gentle curve where our twins developed. Max, our remarkable boy, lay beside his mother on the reinforced bed, his small hand protective over her arm. His sworn promise to guard her during my absence warmed my cold heart. Despite his youth, he displayed the loyalty and instincts that would make him a formidable heir. His sharp eyes and calculating nature made him the perfect companion for Ivy during these dangerous weeks.

The office atmosphere felt charged despite my attempts to maintain normal business facades. Xavier and I were reviewing territorial expansion plans over espresso when my encrypted phone shattered the relative quiet. Daniel’s name flashed on the screen, immediately putting me on high alert.

“Underboss Daniel, this is unexpected,” I answered, forcing casualness into my voice. The intelligence that followed drained every drop of warmth from my veins. I absorbed his detailed briefing while my blood turned to ice, assuring him I would mobilize our entire network immediately.

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Xavier studied my expression with growing alarm. “Boss, your face has gone completely white. What’s the situation?”

“It’s catastrophic, Xavier,” I managed through clenched teeth. “Finn’s been brutally beaten. Our street contacts found him unconscious near his cover job, worked over within an inch of his life. He’s being rushed to our family physician in critical condition. We need to assemble everyone immediately and get to Dominic’s legitimate business. I have to deliver this news to Zoe personally. Under no circumstances can this intelligence reach Ivy, especially

not now.”

The realization hit me like a sledgehammer. Ivy’s secure phone could be buzzing with panicked calls and coded messages. I speed–dialed Carmen, my voice urgent with desperation.

“Carmen, I need you to move fast. Check on Ivy immediately. Remove her communication devices from the bedroom. Don’t allow her to receive any calls or messages, no matter the source. I’ll explain everything later, but this is critical. Please, tell me you understand.”

Relief flooded through me when Carmen confirmed both Ivy and Max were resting peacefully. She assured me all devices were safely secured and promised to maintain the communication blackout.

After briefing Heidi and Scott on the emergency protocols for running our legitimate fronts, I gathered Gemma, Lila, Ruby, and Jude. The drive to Dominic’s corporate office felt interminable, each red light an obstacle between us and Zoe. I contacted Dominic during the journey, instructing him

to alert Nora about our imminent arrival.

“Did you finally come begging for legitimate employment, Thorne?” Zoe’s sarcastic greeting typically would have amused me. Today, her ignorance of the bloodshed felt heartbreaking.

“Actually, I’m here to steal your boss away,” I attempted our usual banter, but my voice betrayed my emotional state.

Her sharp intuition immediately detected something deadly wrong. “Thorne,

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what’s really happening? You look like you’ve witnessed a massacre.”

“We need Dominic’s office, Zoe. Now.” The tremor in my voice sent visible alarm through her entire body.

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In the privacy of Dominic’s office, I delivered the devastating intelligence with as much gentleness as possible. Zoe’s face crumpled as I explained Finn’s condition and asked whether she wanted Ivy informed immediately. Through her tears, she insisted Ivy remain unaware until we knew more. The stress could trigger premature labor or worse complications. Her protective instincts toward Ivy, even while facing her own nightmare, demonstrated the depth of their sisterhood.

The medical facility corridors echoed with our hurried footsteps as we rushed toward the surgical wing. I contacted our physician during the journey, learning he had already summoned his specialist team. Without hesitation, I arranged for my private jet to transport them immediately.

The surgical waiting area became our temporary prison. Time crawled by as we waited for updates on Finn’s condition. The medical team’s initial assessment painted a grim picture: fractured ribs, punctured lung, compound fractures in his arm and leg, and most terrifyingly, brain bleeding. Zoe maintained remarkable composure despite the tears streaming down her face. Her strength in the face of such brutality reminded me why Ivy treasured their friendship.

“Caleb, return home to Ivy. Don’t breathe a word of this bloodshed to her,” Zoe commanded through her grief.

“I’ve already arranged for extended coverage with Carmen, and our family physician will accompany me when I tell Ivy everything. She’ll demand to be here supporting you, and I won’t prevent that,” I replied firmly.

“Caleb, the stress could harm her and the babies,” Zoe protested desperately.

“Precisely why I’m ensuring medical supervision. But Caleb’s instincts are correct. Keeping this secret would destroy Ivy’s trust in both of you permanently,” our physician interjected supportively.

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“When Finn’s discharged, you’re both moving into our compound during his entire recovery period. And Zoe, you’re moving in tonight. This isn’t negotiable,” I declared, grasping her trembling hands.

The arrival of both families transformed the waiting room into a gathering of anxious faces and whispered prayers. Finn’s parents, followed by Zoe’s family, Ivy’s parents, and Xavier’s mother, created a support network that somehow made the vigil more bearable. The surgical time stretched endlessly until finally, exhausted surgeons emerged with cautious optimism. Finn had stabilized, though he remained in critical condition. The intensive care unit would monitor him closely, allowing only immediate family and Zoe brief

visits.

When Zoe returned from seeing Finn, her devastation was complete. She looked fragile enough to shatter at the slightest touch.

“Everyone’s coming to our compound tonight. I have secure rooms prepared for extended stays. Zoe, you’re included in this arrangement. My drivers will be at your complete disposal. Our fortress offers both safety and comfort during this crisis. Intelligence officers will brief us there with updates.”

The drive home felt surreal, knowing I was about to shatter Ivy’s peaceful evening with devastating news. Our physician and I approached our bedroom with heavy hearts, finding Ivy propped against pillows, her intuition already sensing trouble.

As predicted, Ivy’s reaction was immediate and intense. Her blood pressure spiked dangerously as she processed the attack on Finn. Our physician quickly administered medication to stabilize her condition while monitoring both her vital signs and the babies‘ responses. Despite her physical distress, Ivy insisted on joining Zoe downstairs. I carried her carefully to the living room sofa, where the women embraced and wept together. Ivy’s attempts to console Zoe despite her own condition showcased her remarkable heart.

Our physician’s continued monitoring showed Ivy’s condition stabilizing, though he remained concerned about stress–induced complications. I asked Carmen to keep Max occupied in another wing of the compound, protecting

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him from the heavy emotional atmosphere that permeated our home.

The intelligence officers‘ arrival brought additional grim news that settled over our gathering like a suffocating shroud.

“The situation has deteriorated further,” Daniel began grimly. “Surveillance footage from the attack site revealed enforcers who’ve been apprehended. Both have extensive criminal records and were wanted fugitives. Under interrogation, one confessed they were following Roman Rossi’s direct orders. Rossi specifically mentioned that Finn’s mother needed to learn about minding her own business, clearly referencing her assistance in Max’s custody proceedings.”

“That monster must have learned about her involvement through his informant in our organization,” I said, fury coursing through my veins.

“Almost certainly. This intelligence was never released through normal channels,” the officer confirmed.

Ivy’s anguished cry from the sofa cut through me like a blade. Both she and I carried crushing guilt over Finn’s suffering.

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