The Mafia Lord's Secret Lover-Chapter 318: Attacked!

Emma’s hands trembled violently, and Evelyn placed her other hand over them, steadying her.

"We tried to find her. But that time, there were no cell phones. No digital records... I mean, those cameras on the street. Nicholas used his power in the military and the government. He searched everywhere." 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝐰𝚎𝕓𝐧𝚘𝘃𝗲𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝕞

Emma paused for a moment before continuing, "But we still can’t find her..." she whispered.

"Did great-grandpa... regret it?"

"Hmm... He regretted everything. It changed him. He found humility in loss. He learned that pride can be the cruelest cage. But we could not undo what was done."

The fire cracked. A log split. The sound made the silence feel deeper.

"We waited," Emma continued. "Days. Months. Years. She did not return. She vanished. Completely. We even placed announcements in the newspaper. One said I was severely ill. Hoping she would come home. Hoping she would see that. But she did not come back."

Evelyn felt tears spill without permission. She leaned forward, wrapping Emma in her arms. Her great-grandma collapsed into her, shaking like something finally breaking free.

"I am so sorry," Evelyn whispered. "I am so sorry she went through that. I am sorry you did too."

Emma clung to her, her voice small. "Oh dear, stop saying sorry. You are our miracle. You are her proof that she lived. That she loved. That she did not disappear forever."

Evelyn’s heart throbbed at the words. She pressed her forehead to Emma’s temple. "Yes, yes... I am here now. I promise. I will not disappear."

For a long moment, neither moved.

The fire softened, its glow fading to embers.

Emma’s breathing steadied against Evelyn’s shoulder.

After a few moments...

Finally, Emma pulled back slightly, a shaky smile forming.

"You know... Oliver looks like her. Just a little."

Evelyn blinked, startled. "You think so?"

Emma nodded. "He has her eyes. And her stubborn ears, I think."

Evelyn laughed wetly. "Stubborn ears?"

"Yes. They stand like little flags when he is upset. Just like Giselle’s." Emma said after Evelyn showed her the video of Oliver scolding his horse, Cloud.

Evelyn laughed again, wiping her cheeks.

"I will tell him that, Great-grandma. He will be delighted to know that."

Emma nods happily, and their conversation continues. They talk about the plan to visit Giselle and Madison’s graveyard.

...

While in the valley.

That afternoon, Axel was halfway up the stairs, planning to check on Oliver, when his private cell phone buzzed. His heart lifted for a moment when he thought it was Evelyn.

But the caller ID made his brow tighten as he stared at a text from Ethan.

"A new business deal!"

Axel stared at the exclamation point. Ethan never used those unless the situation was on fire.

He is heading back toward his office. The moment the door clicked shut behind him, he exhaled sharply and dialed. He didn’t even make it to the desk; he stood by the French window, gaze fixed on the skyline.

The call connected almost instantly.

"Martinez Group," Ethan said without greeting. "They are starting to attack us. Frontally. I need your guidance."

Axel’s grip on the phone tightened at the name. Martinez. After what Natalie Martinez had done, leaking private matters about his family, he wanted to bury their empire himself. But he couldn’t, not yet. He had his hands full dealing with the Morgans, Evelyn’s family.

He forced his voice to remain neutral. "What kind of trouble?"

"A few men were making scenes at our Star Casino and Clubs in Grayenfall. Trashing slot machines. Slandering staff. One of them even hit a VIP guest unprovoked. Several VIPs canceled their memberships after that."

Ethan inhaled sharply.

"They also started a media smear campaign. I have Collins handling the coverage. It’s manageable for now... but I don’t think they’re done."

Axel’s jaw clenched. "Are you sure they are Martinez?"

"Yes. I confirmed it. Martinez’s people. I also dug into their sudden interest in Grayenfall. Looks like they plan to open branches in several cities. Including ours."

A short, bitter laugh escaped Axel. He sounded like he wanted to kill someone. "What do you want me to do?"

"Did you punish their people?" Axel asked.

Ethan hummed. "Of course. Some of them are currently enjoying their new careers as shark food in the ocean."

Axel didn’t know whether to sigh or applaud. Ethan’s loyalty was terrifying sometimes.

"Axel, we can’t allow them to expand into another city. They’re crossing lines."

"Go ahead," Axel replied. "Do what you need to do."

"That’s what I needed to hear." Ethan’s grin was practically audible. "Anything else?"

Axel hesitated before speaking. "Find out where Natalie Martinez is."

"I’ll report back."

Axel ended the call without another word. Silence flooded the room.

He pressed his fingertips against the cool glass of the window. He stayed like that for a moment, breathing, thinking, fighting the urge to break something.

Instead, he reached for his phone.

"My wife, I miss you. Can you return home now?"

He barely had time to lower the phone before it buzzed again. His smile flashed on his lips as Evelyn called him.

"Axel," Evelyn’s voice chirped through. "We already left the Morgan residence."

His shoulders relaxed instantly. The tension from the Martinez situation loosened its grip. "How was the meeting? Did anyone bully you?"

A warm ripple of laughter echoed through the speaker. "Please. I’m the star of the family meeting, as always. They like me way too much."

"Wow. Now I’m worried. They might steal my wife." He teasingly said.

"Don’t worry," she responds. "I’m too expensive to maintain. They’ll give up quickly."

He chuckled, picturing her smile, the light in her eyes. "So, when will you arrive? I want to see you. I want to hold—"

A sudden scream tore through the phone.

"RYAN!"

"Madam, watch out!"

The line exploded with noise—tires skidding, metal crunching, the sickening thud of impact.

"AAHHH!" Evelyn’s scream pierced his ears, terrified.

Axel’s blood froze.

He can’t think. He couldn’t. His heart slammed against his ribs, his breath vanished, and the world narrowed to the sound of chaos on the other end.

"Evelyn?" his voice shattered. "Eve? Evelyn! What happened?"

Static crackled. No response.

"Ryan! Anyone! Answer me!"

Nothing but the distant echo of what sounded like panicked voices, muffled and fading. The connection crackled and then—

Silence.