Trapped in a Secret Marriage with a Dangerous Billionaire - Chapter 263

Chapter 263: The Frustrated Xander
Xander’s Private Residence.

Xander didn’t go to work today. Instead, he remained at home, dealing with the matter that had caused tension between him and his wife.

Down in the basement, the air was thick with the stench of sweat and blood. Dim yellow light flickered from the lone bulb hanging from the ceiling, casting eerie shadows against the cold concrete walls.

Daniel Firth was bound to a metal chair, his wrists tightly cuffed behind him. His face was bruised, his white Arsenal-issued undershirt stained with blotches of red. His breathing was heavy and laboured—each inhale and exhale was a testament to the agony he had endured for the past two hours.

Xander stood before him, his expression unreadable, his posture relaxed yet exuding lethal dominance.

Liam stood a few feet away, his arms crossed over his chest, while three burly-looking men—Xander’s trusted enforcers—flanked Daniel on either side.

The air was charged with tension.

Xander crouched down to Daniel’s level, staring into his swollen, bloodshot eyes. “You’ve been trained well,” he mused, his voice calm, almost admiring. “Most men would have cracked by now.”

Daniel said nothing. He simply glared at Xander, his jaw tightening.

Xander sighed. He reached for the metal table beside him and picked up a small, sharp knife, twirling it between his fingers. The blade glinted under the dim light.

“Let’s try this again,” Xander said coolly, leaning forward. “Who sent you?”

Silence.

One of the enforcers stepped forward and, without warning, struck Daniel’s side with a thick rubber baton. The force of the blow sent a violent tremor through his body.

Daniel groaned but clenched his jaw, refusing to scream.

Xander smiled faintly. “You think you can endure this forever?” He gestured subtly with his fingers.

Liam took a step closer, his expression impassive as he retrieved a small remote from his pocket. Without hesitation, he pressed a button.

A high-voltage current shot through Daniel’s body, causing him to convulse violently. His muscles seized up, his breath coming out in strangled gasps as the electric shock coursed through him.

After a few agonizing seconds, Liam released the button, and Daniel slumped forward, his body trembling.

Xander crouched in front of him again. “Who. Sent. You?”

Daniel lifted his head, his breathing ragged. His lips parted slightly, but then—

He spat at Xander’s feet.

Liam’s gaze darkened. The two enforcers exchanged glances.

Xander, however, remained eerily calm. He pulled out a handkerchief from his pocket, wiped the saliva off his shoe, and then—

He backhanded Daniel across the face. The impact was brutal, sending the spy’s head snapping to the side.

Blood trickled from the corner of Daniel’s mouth, but he still refused to speak.

Xander clicked his tongue, standing upright. “I really thought you’d be smarter than this.” He turned to Liam and nodded.

Liam’s lips pressed into a thin line before he gestured to one of the enforcers. The man stepped forward, rolling up his sleeves, revealing thick, veiny forearms. He grabbed a metal rod, its tip slightly charred from previous use.

Daniel’s breathing grew uneven as he eyed the weapon.

“Last chance,” Xander said, slipping his hands into his pockets. “Give me a name.”

Daniel exhaled slowly. Then, lifting his gaze, he met Xander’s eyes and muttered, “Go to hell.”

Xander smirked. “You first.”

The enforcer swung the rod.

A sickening crack echoed through the basement as it connected with Daniel’s ribs. His body jerked violently, and this time, he couldn’t suppress the agonized scream that tore from his throat.

The sound bounced off the walls, raw and filled with pain.

Xander remained impassive, his gaze unreadable.

Then his phone vibrated in his pocket. He retrieved it and glanced at the caller ID—Asher.

With a sigh, he answered. “You’re here?”

“Yeah,” Asher’s voice came through. “In your sitting room.”

“Give me a moment.” Xander’s tone remained steady.

Sliding his phone back into his pocket, he turned to Liam. “Continue.”

Liam inclined his head.

Without another word, Xander strode toward the exit. As he ascended the basement stairs, Daniel’s tortured screams echoed through the dimly lit hallway.

Xander barely blinked as he walked through the long hallway until he reached the secret path leading to his study.

—

Xander stepped into the living room, his expression unreadable. Asher, who had been casually inspecting the intricate details of a glass sculpture on the centre table, turned at the sound of approaching footsteps.

“Finally,” Asher greeted, standing to his feet. “Took you long enough.”

Xander gave a tired smirk before clasping Asher’s hand in a firm grip. They pulled each other into a brief, brotherly hug—one that spoke of years of trust, loyalty, and shared bloodshed.

“Been busy,” Xander muttered as they both settled onto the two-seater couch.

Asher leaned back, draping one arm over the couch’s armrest. “So, how’s it going with our guest in the basement?”

Xander exhaled sharply and shook his head. “He’s not talking.” His jaw clenched. “Not a single damn word.”

Asher raised a brow. “Impressive. Not many can endure your methods for this long.”

“It’s not impressive,” Xander muttered, running a hand through his hair. “I left my office work today to deal with this personally. I could have been in my office, making real progress, but instead, I’m down there, getting nothing but screams and silence.”

A slow smirk formed on Asher’s lips. “You sound frustrated.”

Xander shot him a flat look.

“Relax,” Asher chuckled. “He will talk. They all do, eventually. It’s just a matter of when.”

Just then, a pair of maids entered the living room, placing a tray of refreshments on the coffee table—two glasses of scotch, a small bowl of cashews, and a plate of light pastries.

Xander barely glanced at the food. Asher, however, wasted no time. He grabbed a handful of cashews, tossing them into his mouth one by one.

But as he chewed, he noticed Xander hadn’t touched his drink or the food.

“You look extra bothered,” Asher noted, swallowing a bite of pastry. “And I don’t think it’s just because of Daniel.”

Xander sighed deeply and finally lifted his head, resting his forearms on his thighs. “I told my wife about the mission.”

Asher stopped mid-chew, then smirked. “And?”

“She didn’t like it.”

Asher let out a low whistle, leaning back with an amused glint in his eye. “I assume it wasn’t just the mission she had a problem with?”

Xander shook his head. “I also told her about the spy in the basement.”

Asher winced. “Ouch.”