The Heiress's Revenge - A Bloody Affair - Chapter 113

Chapter 113: [103 – A Dark Symphony]
The bright morning sun streamed through the large glass windows of The Seraphina Atelier, casting a warm glow on the pristine marble floors. Jaxon strode in with a confident grin, his mood light, his steps buoyant. His eyes darted around the open space as he spotted Seraphina near the corner. She was speaking to someone, her smile matching his own. They locked eyes for a brief second, exchanging an unspoken understanding, a silent acknowledgment of the secret they both carried.

The day unfolded smoothly. No one around them suspected anything amiss, just another ordinary day in the lives of professionals. Yet beneath the surface, a darkness loomed. At lunchtime, Jaxon slipped away to Seraphina’s office to discuss a few things with her.

Entering, Jaxon shut the door behind him, and without wasting time, he asked, “Any word from Elijah or the Grayson’s about Chloe?” he was worried that Chloe’s family would already have started searching for her after she did not go back home yesterday night.

Seraphina leaned back in her chair, her calm demeanor as flawless as ever, “I had Chloe’s phone taken. One of my people texted her family saying she went on an impromptu trip with friends. It’s bought us some time for Chloe always did things like that; disappearing on sudden getaways. Her family won’t question it for a few days, so do not worry, you will have enough time with her.”

Jaxon sighed, a wave of relief washing over him, though it was short-lived, when Seraphina said, “I can stretch it to a week at most, Jaxon.” she had an idea of what was going in Jaxon’s mind, “But you need to be smart about this. We can’t afford to hold her any longer than that.”

Jaxon clenched his fists, his jaw tightening as the memories of Vivian flooded his mind. The pain, the helplessness of knowing that someone he cared and loved got hurt by some hired goons tormenting her in that cold, empty factory, all because Chloe had paid them to. “I need more time,” he growled. “Vivian was kept there for a week, tortured and assaulted. Chloe deserves twice as much!”

Seraphina’s eyes hardened. “Two weeks is too long, Jaxon. We’re not just dealing with Chloe here. We’re dealing with the Grayson family. They’ll tear the city apart looking for her.”

“I don’t care!” Jaxon’s voice was low but filled with venom. “Chloe has to pay.”

Seraphina rose from her chair, crossing the room to stand directly in front of him. She placed a hand on his shoulder, her voice soft yet firm. “Listen to me, Jaxon. I understand how you feel. I know that kind of anger. But we cannot be reckless. You’re not just thinking about yourself anymore. You have responsibilities; Vivian’s mother, she needs you.”

Jaxon’s gaze dropped, the weight of her words sinking in, his fists slowly unclenched as he exhaled. “I don’t want to let Chloe walk away from this.”

“We won’t.” Seraphina reassured him. “But we need to be careful. One week is all we can afford. If anything goes wrong, you can’t let it trace back to you or me.”

Jaxon swallowed hard, nodding reluctantly. “If it comes to that, I won’t drag you into it. I’ll take the fall.”

Seraphina’s eyes softened for a brief moment, “Don’t be a fool. You think about Vivian’s mother. You think about what’s left, not just what’s gone.”

Jaxon gave her a small nod, though the fire in his eyes hadn’t completely dimmed. He turned and left the office without another word, knowing that despite his burning desire for vengeance, Seraphina was right. There was too much at stake.

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Later that evening, Seraphina stood in the cozy warmth of her bedroom, sorting through her jewelry collection. The quiet hum of the evening filled the room as she and Elijah prepared to move into the Grayson mansion. Elijah was unpacking a box nearby, his hands busy as he sorted through their belongings.

His voice cut through the stillness, “What’s this?” he asked with a chuckle, holding up a strawberry-shaped necklace set with matching earrings, a ring, and a bracelet.

Seraphina glanced at the necklace, a flicker of surprise crossing her face, “Oh, that. It was a gift from my brother.”

Elijah smiled, running his thumb over the delicate pendant. “Funny you should say that. I’ve got something similar. It belonged to Caroline, my brother’s fiancée. When she was five, I saved her at her birthday party, to thank me, she gave me her favorite strawberry necklace.”

Seraphina’s smile faltered for a brief second, her back turning to Elijah as she hurried to hide her misty eyes. Memories, painful and long-buried, swirled in her mind. Elijah continued packing, unaware of the storm brewing inside her. He chuckled as he retold the story, his voice filled with nostalgia.

Seraphina listened in silence, her fingers trembling slightly as she fastened the last piece of jewelry into place. Behind her calm exterior, her thoughts drifted to that fateful night when after being tricked by Ethan, she was saved by Elijah.

“Seraphina? You okay?” Elijah asked, noticing her stillness.

She quickly composed herself, turning to face him with a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes. “I’m fine.” she whispered. “Just thinking about old times.”

As Elijah continued reminiscing, Seraphina knew deep down that the lies, the secrets, and the betrayals would eventually catch up to them. But for now, all she could do was keep everything in place, even as the cracks slowly started to show.

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Jaxon’s footsteps echoed ominously through the dimly lit factory as he made his way down the grimy corridors. The stale air clung to his skin, filled with the lingering stench of sweat and fear. He pushed open the heavy metal door to the room where his prisoners were kept. The sight before him was one of twisted satisfaction. The four men, the same men who had brutalized Vivian, lay shackled to the cold, unforgiving walls. Their faces, once full of arrogance, were now hollow and pale, their eyes glazed over with dread.

He stared at them, his lips curling into a sneer. They were silent, too broken to utter a word, too afraid to meet his gaze. Jaxon felt no pity for them, no ounce of mercy. They deserved every ounce of suffering he could inflict on them, and more.

Satisfied with their state, Jaxon turned and ascended the narrow staircase that led to the room where Chloe was kept. The air grew colder, the walls closing in as he reached the door. The silence in this part of the factory was deafening, broken only by the faint sound of labored breathing from within.

Jaxon unlocked the door and stepped inside. Chloe was crumpled in a corner, her body trembling uncontrollably. Her clothes were torn, her skin marred with bruises and cuts that had yet to heal. She was a pitiful sight, and yet, the darkness in Jaxon’s heart felt no remorse.

He approached her, pulling out the voice modulator. The distorted voice it produced was cold, devoid of any humanity. He activated it, and the sudden sound jolted Chloe awake.

“Wakey, wakey, little canary,” Jaxon’s voice rasped through the modulator.

Chloe’s eyes snapped open, a scream tearing from her throat as she tried to push herself away from him, her back pressing against the wall as if she could disappear into it. Her fear was palpable, a bitter taste that hung in the air. Jaxon chuckled darkly, the sound reverberating off the walls.

“Are you scared, little canary?” he taunted, leaning down to her level. His shadow loomed over her like a predator ready to pounce.

Chloe’s breath hitched as she forced herself to speak, her voice shaking and she stuttered, “P-Please… I’ll do anything… Please don’t hurt me.”

Jaxon’s eyes narrowed, intrigued by the desperation in her voice. He remained silent, waiting for her to continue, his dark curiosity piqued.

Chloe swallowed hard, her mind racing for something, anything, that might save her, “I-I know you have needs… I won’t tell anyone, I swear… I can bring you someone else. Just let me go, and I’ll bring you another woman… Please…”

The words hung in the air, thick with repulsion. Jaxon’s expression twisted with disgust as her plea settled in his mind. He straightened up, his hand twitching with barely restrained fury. Without a word, he slapped her across the face, the sound of the impact echoing through the room. Chloe’s head snapped to the side, a sharp cry of pain escaping her lips.

“Pathetic!” Jaxon spat, his voice dripping with venom. “You think I want your filthy deals?”

He turned away from her, his anger boiling over as he grabbed a metal bucket filled with ice-cold water. Without warning, he hurled the contents over her, drenching her in the freezing liquid. Chloe gasped, her body convulsing from the shock of the cold. She curled into herself, shivering uncontrollably, her teeth chattering as she struggled to breathe.

Jaxon stood over her, his eyes cold and unfeeling. “You will never bargain with me again.” he said, his voice low and dangerous. “Do you understand?”

Chloe nodded frantically, too terrified to speak. She was utterly broken, her spirit shattered beyond repair. Jaxon watched her for a moment longer, his gaze empty before he turned and left the room, locking the door behind him.

As he descended the stairs, the echo of Chloe’s choked sobs followed him, a haunting melody that filled the darkened halls. But Jaxon felt nothing, no guilt, no remorse, only the cold satisfaction of a plan well-executed.

The factory returned to its eerie silence, the only sound the faint drip of water from Chloe’s soaked form as she lay there, a prisoner of her own fear.