Broken Bond: Between Vices and Virtues (BL)
Chapter 99: Finally found you

Chapter 99: Finally found you

Back in the Horace Mansion, the clouds were also darkening above, threatening to pour heavy rain.

But just a drizzle soon poured and the pitter-pattering of raindrops filled the office room. The drops hitting the paved path walks of the indoor garden next to the room created small pools of water, and on it reflected the drenched flowers leaning down from the flowerbeds.

Seated behind the desk next to the glass wall overlooking the garden, was Chairman Nathaniel, sporting a cold and serious look, as he stared at the phone before him, waiting for Athan’s message.

He was already informed that it was the DV Group’s Chairman’s doing and that his son was helping Athan to find Knox. He was enraged after knowing that. He had the urge to involve the police right away, but Athan warned that Knox might be put in danger if they were alarmed.

So, in the end, all he could do, as helpless as it may sound, was to stay calm and plan on how he would destroy that arrogant, wicked Del Valle.

Knocks on the door caught Chairman Nathaniel’s attention. He cleared his throat and spoke, "Come in."

Althea pushed the door open, but instead of stepping in, she just peeked her head and anxiously asked, "Knoa’s crying. He wants his father. I don’t know what to tell him..."

The chairman sighed and stood. He followed Althea to Knoa’s room, and soon, saw the child kneeling on the bed, with his face buried on the pillows as if hiding the fact that he was crying.

Chairman Nathaniel rubbed the kid’s back and spoke warmly, "I heard you’re looking for your Papa. Do you miss him?"

Knoa nodded without lifting his head.

"Your Papa called Steve earlier. He said he was on the way. Maybe he got caught in traffic because it began raining suddenly. Don’t cry, Knoa. Let’s wait for him in the living room," Nathaniel scooped the curled child in his arms.

Althea came immediately, worried that her father might find Knoa’s heavy due to his old age. She opened her arms, but the chairman just nodded at her and walked with Knoa in his arms.

Knoa sobbed, "But grampa said, we go to the beach...why is Papa not calling me?"

Nathaniel wiped the kid’s damped cheeks, "Knoa, you can’t use your phone while driving. It’s dangerous. You’ll understand when you get older. Let’s play with Loki for now. Your father will arrive soon. I’m sure of that."

They managed to take the child’s mind away from his father in the meantime until he fell asleep from playing too much with the dog in the spacious living room. Althea excused herself and carried Knoa back to his room.

The phone held by Steve rang. Chairman Nathaniel quickly snatched it and answered. He went back to his office, after giving Steve an order, "Call my lawyer and invite him over."

Steve obeyed immediately.

Meanwhile, inside the agency, Kayden was cursing at the phone, while Athan watched him bicker with his cousin. When they finished talking, Kayden pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed exasperatedly.

"What did he say?" Athan came forward and asked.

Kayden straightened his back and replied, "Rage wanted him to proceed with the marriage in exchange for Knox’s safety. Until the wedding ends, Rage will hold Knox hostage. The damn bastard was asking me to stand in for him, like hell his father’s blind that he won’t see the difference between us! He’s so damn frustrating."

"Why is that old man pushing the marriage? Is the union of the Group and Idol Entertainment that valuable?" Athan asked, a bit interested.

Kayden shrugged his shoulders and shook his head curtly, "I’m not sure why. Only Rage knows."

"Sir Kayden," an employee came to them and announced, "They zeroed in on the possible locations."

"Possible locations? What do you mean?!" Athan shot up, asking the first two words with emphasis.

"Please, follow me. They were already in the meeting room. Mr. Shawn will discuss it himself," the employee stated and guided the two to the next room.

As soon as they arrived, Shawn began explaining while still working on his computer.

"The receiver used a burner phone. The signal was cut around J City in B Prefecture, sir. It was a redeveloping area packed with abandoned construction sites due to the fault line appearing kilometers away from the area a few years ago."

"So, the plan was to scour the area?" Athan asked.

Shawn nodded, "Yes. The city’s a bit large, but checking the establishments’ CCTV footage was the next step we can only do. It might take some time, Sir Athan."

"Oh, shit," Kayden exclaimed, sporting a troubled expression. Kayla looked threw him with a questioning look. "Azrael’s forced to marry Diva as planned. The wedding will be tonight, sister."

Kayla, "What?!"

"Uncle negotiated with him. Knox’s safety is guaranteed if he signs the papers," Kayden added. He glanced at Shawn, contemplating whether to share with them what Azrael asked of him.

Athan and Shawn were speechless.

Kayla composed herself again and shrugged her shoulders slightly. She then casually muttered, "Then, what’s the problem? He can sign it, then just divorce later. Isn’t that too convenient? We don’t have to worry about Knox getting harmed. He’s being held hostage, and Azrael is the ransom money. He should cooperate if he wants Knox to be safe."

"Kayla!" Kayden exclaimed unbelievably. She’s right, it would be easier to do just that, but Azrael wasn’t cooperating at all!

There was something more about the marriage between the Group and Idol Entertainment. Something that Azrael only realized after his father insisted on the marriage to the point of kidnapping someone just to make it happen.

It was too late for them to run a background check, and it’s the company their childhood friend now handles.

Even Kayden found it absurd that Rage would go to such lengths to push through with the union. Diva’s father was an opportunist and a stubborn man as well. He wouldn’t sell the company no matter how much Rage was willing to pay.

Athan stole Kayden’s attention by asking, "Is there another problem why your cousin won’t proceed with the marriage? Ms. Kayla is right. Divorce his wife once everything is settled. Right now, what’s important is Knox."

Kayden grimaced at the guy. He thought to himself, ’He talked as if getting a divorce can be done easily and immediately. Azrael’s personality won’t wait until he’s finally free from that marriage to pursue Knox. The ending will be Knox becoming a mistress, and it’ll just become worse...ugh, my head aches from all of this!’

He breathed a loud sigh and faced Shawn, who was again focused on his job. A ripple of emotions flashed in his eyes, but he shook his head away in case his resolve might dwindle. "How much time do you need to get the exact location?"

Shawn looked up, unaware of Kayden’s inner turmoil, he answered, "A few hours."

He nodded and looked away. He looked at the watch on his wrist. It was already two in the afternoon, yet the sky looked like it was already dusk. The wedding will be in a few hours as well.

Kayden sighed resignedly as he stood. He asked for a leave from the hospital to mend his broken heart, but he was to attend a marriage instead.

"I’ll aide Azrael in the meantime," he stared at Shawn, and muttered, "You better find Knox quick, or else I...haa...Never mind. I’m going."

Kayla followed her brother, worried about what was going on in his mind.

Shawn turned to Athan and spoke, "Let’s go to J City, Sir Athan. It might be faster to check the street cameras in the vicinity of these possible locations. If only the two of us are there, we won’t be noticeable, right?"

Athan agreed.

They drove to the city. Shawn began hacking the CCTVs in the area and in every establishment they passed, downloading the estimated time frame the kidnappers might have passed on the road, while Athan was in charge of checking them.

After a few hours, Athan finally noticed the other man who walked behind the guy who carried Knox in one of the video clips, walking out of a convenience store. He showed it to Shawn and they exchanged glances.

They finally had a direct lead!

Without taking a break, they continued trailing the guy through recorded videos.

As the sky began to darken, and the rain continuously poured, Azrael stood at the balcony of the groom’s waiting room. Two men were guarding the door and outside the building, he could see a few monitoring the cars that arrived.

He couldn’t believe that his father had already sent invitations to the wedding. Marrying Diva to save Knox would have been easier, but the contract both families signed during the engagement included producing an heir to both families before separation was allowed.

At that time, it was an idea proposed by Diva’s family and Rage agreed, since Azrael and Diva are the only children of each family. Plus, the genes of two dominant alphas combined would produce an amazing result.

His phone vibrated. He checked the message and went back inside the room again. It was Roy who messaged him, saying they arrived. The door clicked open and Kayden entered, rushing to Azrael and landing a punch in his face.

"Make sure to get Knox back before I say ’I do’, you bastard!"

Roy nodded at Azrael as he pulled the two unconscious bodyguards inside. He thrashed them in the bathroom and locked the door. Two men came wearing the same outfit and took the position of the two knocked-out guards.

Azrael grinned, "Look at this, in the end, you’re still the one walking the aisle with Diva."

"You owe me one, Azi," Kayden scowled at his cousin as he started taking off his clothes.

They exchanged clothes quickly. Roy handed the black wig he hid on his coat to Kayden. He hid his blue eyes with contacts the same color as Azrael’s eyes.

In a brief glance, one would really mistake him for Azreal, however, Rage won’t be fooled. So, Kayden only has to stay in the room until the wedding begins.

Once he walks out the door, Rage will surely call his men to take Knox. Before that happens, Azrael must save him.

Kayden patted his cousin’s shoulder, "Now go. Shawn had a direct lead. Use my phone to contact him. There’s only him and Athan, so even if they find out the location, they need help to infiltrate the place. Don’t let him get hurt, Azi," Kayden whispered as he gave his phone.

"You don’t have to tell me that," Azrael answered, thinking Kayden was referring to Knox.

Kayden smiled and mumbled, "I meant Shawn. And Knox, of course. Now, leave. I need to do something to calm my nerves or I might break down. Seriously though, getting married is nerve-wracking."

Azrael tapped Kayden on the back before walking away, mumbling as he stepped out the door, "Thanks, Kay."

With that, he left Kayden and Roy and drove fast his car almost flew. Kayden’s phone rang and he quickly answered it.

Shawn’s voice came through, "We found him."

’Finally. Wait for me, Knox. I’m coming,’ Azrael mumbled to himself as he sped the car faster.