Surprise Marriage to a Billionaire
Chapter 423: Your Secret

Chapter 423: Your Secret

At Nepthal Airport

"Fuck!" Renzo cursed as he tried dialing Arlan’s number, but there was no answer. He was at the airport, ready to board the earliest flight to Lamey to personally speak with Arlan and inform him of what had happened to Carla. He still couldn’t believe how the man had done nothing so far, not even releasing a statement in Carla’s favor at this point.

He had already gone to the White House, but no one accommodated him when he asked to see the president. They said the president was still weak and couldn’t accept visitors at the moment.

"I can’t believe this is happening! I must save Carla," he muttered under his breath.

"Manager Renzo!"

He was startled upon hearing a familiar voice, it was a reporter. Despite wearing a face mask, a cap, and sunglasses, someone had still recognized him.

Many in the media and broadcasting stations had reached out to him for an exclusive interview, but he refused to face them. Instead, he let his staff relay that none of the allegations were true and that Carla was innocent.

Renzo clenched his jaw and quickened his pace, trying to avoid the growing number of reporters swarming toward him. Cameras flashed, and microphones were shoved in his direction as journalists fired off questions.

"Manager Renzo, do you have any official statement regarding Carla’s case?"

"Is it true that new evidence has surfaced proving her guilt?"

"Why hasn’t Arlan Cartier spoken up for Carla? Has he abandoned her?"

Renzo’s grip on his phone tightened. The last question stung the most. He refused to believe that Arlan had completely turned his back on Carla. There had to be a reason for his silence, something he wasn’t seeing yet. Carla was his only daughter!

"No comment," he muttered, keeping his head low as he pushed through the crowd.

Security personnel at the airport finally intervened, creating a path for him. He exhaled sharply as he reached the VIP lounge, where he could at least catch his breath. His heart pounded with frustration.

As he sank into a leather seat, his phone buzzed in his hand. The screen displayed Unknown Number.

Renzo hesitated before answering. "Who is this?"

A low, composed voice spoke on the other end. "You want to save Carla, don’t you?"

Renzo stiffened. "Who the hell are you?"

The voice remained calm. "That doesn’t matter. What matters is that I can help you. The real question is, how far are you willing to go?"

Renzo’s grip on the phone tightened. His pulse quickened. "If you have something to say, get to the point."

"Tell me first, Renzo, how badly do you want to save her?"

Renzo swallowed hard, his mind racing. Everything in him screamed that this was dangerous. But did he have a choice? He wouldn’t abandon Carla. He loved her and he would do anything for her!

"What exactly are you offering?" he asked, his voice tight.

The line was silent for a second before the man replied, "A way to save Carla. But first, you need to decide, are you willing to do whatever it takes?"

Renzo closed his eyes briefly, exhaling sharply. He already knew the answer.

*****

At Clayton MAnsion

Sylvia was sobbing her heart out as she waited for Tim’s arrival. She had gone to the hospital, but he wasn’t there. She tried calling his mobile number, but it just kept ringing.

"Madam, Sir Tim just arrived. He went straight to his study," a servant quickly informed her.

Without wasting a moment, Sylvia rushed to the study. Tim stood by the window, staring outside as the sun dipped below the horizon.

Sylvia fell to her knees before him, pleading. "Tim, please... please do something! Dina is all I have. I can’t lose her. Please, take her away from that prison."

Tim turned to her with a cold glare. "Didn’t she already leave prison once? And yet, she failed and got caught again." His voice was sharp, final. "Your daughter is beyond saving."

Sylvia’s hands trembled as she clutched the hem of Tim’s coat, her tears soaking into the fabric. "No... No, Tim, you can’t say that! She’s my daughter! She may not be your blood, but she did everything you wanted! Dina did everything just to please you, Tim!" she cried out.

Tim’s expression remained cold, unmoved by her desperate pleas. "And look where that got her," he said sharply. "Trying to please me doesn’t erase her crimes, Sylvia. She made her choices, and now she has to face the consequences."

Sylvia shook her head furiously, gripping his coat tighter. "No! You don’t get to turn your back on her now! You trained her, molded her into what she is today. She did everything for you, for us! You owe her, Tim!"

Tim yanked his coat from her grasp, his patience thinning. "I owe her nothing," he said firmly. "I gave her every opportunity to walk away, but she kept digging her own grave. Now, she’s in a situation even I can’t fix."

Sylvia’s breathing was ragged, her vision blurred with tears. "So that’s it? You’re just going to let her die?"

Tim’s jaw tightened, his silence answering for him.

Sylvia took a shaky step back, staring at the man she had once trusted with everything. "You’re a monster," she whispered.

Tim’s eyes darkened, but he said nothing.

"You... If you refuse to save Dina, then I have no reason to keep your secret anymore. I will tell the truth to-"

Sylvia’s words were cut off as Tim’s hand shot out, wrapping around her throat in a crushing grip. She gasped, eyes widening in shock as she clawed at his wrist, struggling for air.

Sylvia’s vision blurred as she gasped for air, her nails digging into Tim’s wrist in a desperate attempt to free herself. His grip was unrelenting, his eyes dark with fury.

"You think you can threaten me?" Tim hissed, his voice dangerously low. "After everything I’ve done for you?"

Sylvia’s legs trembled, her body weakening as she choked out a strained whisper. "Tim... please..."

But there was no mercy in his expression. He tightened his grip, leaning in close. "You should know better than to test me, Sylvia. If you even think about opening your mouth, you won’t live long enough to regret it."