Catherine’s POV
The elegant foyer of the auction house buzzed with Skyview City’s elite as I checked my phone for the tenth ti in five minutes. No ssages from Anna. My stomach twisted into a tight knot as I watched Samuel guide Nora away from that asshole Sawyer Walker.
Joseph hurried to his brother’s side with that placating expression he always wore when damage control was needed. "Samuel’s just a hothead with a poisonous mouth. He tries to verbally destroy anyone he doesn’t like."
Sawyer’s face remained locked in that stony mask of humiliation. Joseph glanced at his watch, clearly trying to change the subject. "What ti is it?
Why hasn’t Anna shown up yet?"
The question sent a fresh wave of anxiety through . Anna was never late especially not for sothing this important. The Skylake District auction was everything she’d been working toward for months.
"I don’t know," I admitted, my voice tighter than l’d intended. "She texted earlier saying she was on her way."
The auction coordinator appeared at the main doors, signaling for everyone to take their seats. My pulse quickened as I scanned the entrance one last ti.
Joseph’s brow furrowed. "You don’t think sothing happened to her, do you?"
His words sliced through like a blade of ice. After everything that had happened-Logan’s betrayal, the "accident" at the Porter estatewas it naive to think Anna was simply running late?
Samuel approached, his usually confident expression now clouded with concern. We exchanged glances, a silent acknowledgnt passing between us. Without a word, we both pulled out our phones, calling Anna and Rachel repeatedly.
Voicemail. Every. Single. Ti.
"Sothing must have happened to Anna, I said, unable to keep the tremor from my voice. "Just days ago we were talking about how surprisingly calm things had been. I can’t believe this is happening today of all days."
Samuel’s jaw tightened. "Let’s not panic yet. Anna isn’t one to give up easily. Let’s take our seats."
His words were asured, but the tightness around his eyes betrayed his real feelings. I took a deep breath, trying to slow my racing heart. That’s when I spotted Jack Simpson weaving through the crowd toward us, his usually composed face marked with uncharacteristic tension.
"Samuel, keep an eye on things here.
I’m going to talk to him," I murmured, already moving toward Jack.
I’d intended to interrogate him, but he spoke first: "Where’s Anna? Why isn’t she here yet?"
I studied his face carefully, searching for any hint of deception. Finding none, my anxiety only deepened. "I was about to ask you the sa question."
Jack’s genuine confusion sent ice water through my veins. If even Jack Simpson didn’t know where Anna was, sothing was seriously wrong.
Anna’s POV
Daniel Davis and I were racing to the auction when fate delivered a spine-chilling ssage. Just two blocks from our destination, a horrific scene unfolded before my eyes. A massive truck plowed into a white sedan—my car—at the intersection, sending it flipping onto its side with a sickening crunch of tal.
That should have been in that car.
If Sean hadn’t insisted that Rachel pose as and leave first, I would have been the one trapped in that twisted tal coffin.
"Help them!" The words tore from my throat before I could process what was happening.
Daniel slamd on the brakes and we both sprinted toward the wreckage.
My heels wobbled on the asphalt, but adrenaline pushed forward. A crowd was already gathering, their faces painted with horror and morbid fascination.
I spotted Rachel crawling out from the back seat, her movents slow and pained. The wig ant to mimic my hairstyle hung askew, blood streaming down her forehead where her sunglasses should have been. My chest constricted with guilt so intense it felt physical.
"Where’s Sean? How is Sean?" My voice was barely recognizable, thin and trembling with panic.
Rachel pointed toward the driver’s seat, her breathing labored. "Sean is trapped."
Bystanders were discussing rescue options in urgent tones while sirens wailed in the distance. I stood there, designer clothes suddenly feeling like a costu, utterly useless in this mont of crisis.
Sean spotted from inside the wreckage. Even with blood trickling down his temple, his first thought was of my obligations.
"Ms. Shaw, you should go. I’m fine.
The police will be here soon. You need to get to auction." His voice was weak but resolute, more concerned with my business than his own safety.
Rachel yanked off the wig, revealing her matted hair. She tugged at my borrowed designer suit-now torn and bloodied-kicked off the heels, and fixed with a determined stare.
"Boss, you need to go. I’ve got this." Her tone brooked no argunt, but I could see the pain she was trying to hide.
Daniel gently touched my elbow. "Ms. Shaw, it’s ti."
_This is why I hired them-their dedication is unmatched. But am I really considering leaving them here?_ The internal battle raged inside .
The auction would determine the fate of Skylake District, everything I’d been fighting for. But these people had just taken a blow ant for .
"Both of you need to go to the hospital for a complete check-up." I heard myself giving instructions, as if the act might sohow absolve my guilt.
"Don’t skip it just because you feel fine. Head injuries can have delayed symptoms. You need thorough examinations."
My voice grew firr, but my legs felt like they might buckle at any mont.
"Contact imdiately if there are any issues. The company will cover all dical expenses. Your safety is what matters most."
_If that had been in that car..._ I couldn’t complete the thought. Rachel was physically strong, trained in self-defense. Sean was quick, alert. Both had been prepared. I might not have even had the strength to crawl out like Rachel had.
The ambulance finally arrived, blue lights painting everyone’s faces in ghostly hues. Paradics rushed forward, pushing through the crowd with practiced efficiency.
"T’ll co to the hospital to check on you both as soon as I finish at the auction," I promised, my tone heavy with concern and apology.
With one last glance at the mangled white sedan-the vehicle that should have been my steel coffin—I forced myself to turn away. Each step with Daniel toward the auction venue felt like a betrayal, but the clock was ticking. Soone had just tried to kill , and I couldn’t let them win.
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