Shattered Vows: Call Me Auntie Now novel Chapter 12

On the top floor of The Hayes Group, inside the CEO's office.

Dante's expression was grim, the atmospheric pressure around him terrifyingly low.

His assistant delivered the report with a trembling voice. "Mr. Hayes, the man you asked me to look into... we have definitive confirmation he arrived in Riverton a week ago, it's just..."

"Just what?"

"It's just that his movements in Riverton are incredibly stealthy. We can't figure out where he's staying or what he's been doing."

"All traces of his activities have been deliberately scrubbed. Our people can't dig up a single piece of useful intel."

As the assistant finished speaking, a dead silence fell over the room.

Dante slammed his hand onto the desk, the loud crack echoing off the walls.

Files scattered and fluttered across the polished surface.

"Keep digging! I don't care if you have to tear this city apart, find out where the hell he is!"

"Yes, sir!" The assistant shuddered in terror, nodding rapidly before scrambling out of the office in disgrace.

Dante lowered his gaze, a wave of restless agitation gnawing at him.

That man had slipped back into Riverton without a sound and was deliberately masking his trail—he was definitely watching from the shadows.

In all the years he had held absolute power over Riverton, Dante had never been backed into such a passive corner.

He turned and took long strides toward the massive floor-to-ceiling window, staring down at the sprawling metropolis of Riverton.

Skyscrapers stood like a concrete forest amid the endless streams of traffic. The entire city's prosperity was laid out before him, yet he felt no sense of triumph.

Suddenly, his mind drifted to many years ago.

Back then, he hadn't yet grasped the reins of The Hayes Group, and his eyes were full of youthful ambition.

He had stood beside Quinn, pointing at the distant towers, his gaze bright, his voice resolute and tender.

"Quinn, once I take over the company, I'll give you the very best of everything."

"I'll put you in the most beautiful house, show you every sight in the world, and make sure no one ever bullies you again."

"I'm going to make you happy for the rest of your life. You'll always stay by my side."

Those youthful promises had been so genuine, every word burning with conviction.

Back then, Quinn's eyes had sparkled as she looked at him with pure adoration, nodding and saying yes.

She had trusted him so completely then. But over these past few years, it seemed he had entirely failed to make her happy.

At that thought, he summoned his assistant back into the room.

Whether it was spotting a pretty butterfly on the sidewalk, getting a free pastry from the local bakery, or finding a spark of inspiration for her design drafts...

She used to chatter about all of it, eager to share every detail of her life.

Back then, her texts would roll in one after another.

They were overflowing with a young woman's joy and devotion, every line radiating her love for him.

But at some point, she stopped sharing. She stopped reaching out. She stopped clinging to him.

Her messages grew sparse, her tone increasingly detached.

Eventually, it dwindled down to nothing but frigid, one-word replies.

His thumb hovered over the keyboard. He typed, deleted, and typed again.

Finally, he hit send on a single line.

[I'll take you to the hospital for your follow-up this afternoon. I'll pick you up.]

Afraid she might miss the text, he dialed her number.

Quinn had already seen the message. She hit the reject button and texted back: [No need.]

Seeing her reply actually eased Dante's dark mood considerably. He typed back: [I promised I'd go with you. Get ready, I'm heading back to pick you up right now.]