The amnesia, his obsession

Chapter 32: When everything breaks

Gunshots tore through the darkness sharp.

"Get down!" Leonard's voice cut through the chaos as he pulled Isabella with him.

They dropped behind a marble pillar just as another shot rang out, shattering glass across the room.

Isabella's heart pounded—but her mind stayed clear.

"Those aren't your men," she said quickly.

Leonard's jaw tightened.

"I know."

Because his men were trained precise, controlled.

This?

Was reckless, messy.

Which meant one thing. . .

"Someone else is here," Isabella whispered.

Another crash echoed from the hallway.

Voices shouting, footsteps running.

Victoria.

Leonard's eyes darkened instantly, he stood.

"Stay here," he ordered.

"No—" Isabella grabbed his arm.

But he was already looking at her—

And this time, there was no compromise.

"If something happens to you..." his voice dropped,

"I won't forgive myself."

A pause.

Then his voice softer— "Trust me."

Isabella hesitated, just for a second.

Then—She let go.

"Don't take too long," she said quietly.

Leonard didn't reply, he was already moving, the hallway was chaos.

Broken glass, fallen furniture, men fighting in shadows.

Leonard moved through it like a storm.

He disarmed one attacker in seconds, knocking him down hard.

" Who's the other person behind this," he demanded.

The man didn't answer.

Leonard didn't ask again.

Meanwhile— Inside the main room, Isabella stayed where she was.

At first.

Then—A soft sound.

Behind her.

She turned slowly— Too late.

A hand grabbed her, another covered her mouth.

Her eyes widened.

"Don't play smart," a voice whispered.

Not Victoria, someone else voice, cold and unknown

Isabella struggled instantly, kicking hard, fighting back—but the grip tightened.

"Don't," the man warned quietly.

A sharp object pressed lightly against her side.

She froze, her breathing slowed, not fear, calculation.

"Who are you?" she demanded once her mouth was free.

A soft chuckle.

"You're more trouble than expected."

Isabella's eyes narrowed.

"Victoria didn't send you."

Silence.

Then—"Smart."

Her heart skipped slightly.

Elsewhere—

Leonard reached the far end of the hallway— And stopped.

Victoria stood there alone, too calm.

"Where is the other person ?" Leonard demanded.

Victoria looked at him— And for the first time—She didn't smile.

"I don't know."

That was enough.Leonard's entire body went cold.

"You're lying."

"I'm not." She said

Victoria spoke again.

"You finally see it now, don't you?"

Leonard's fists clenched.

"This isn't just me."

His voice dropped.

"Who is it?"

Victoria held his gaze.

Something strange flickered in her expression, not fear, not guilt, something like... realization.

"You really don't remember anything, do you?" Victoria added

That stopped him.

"What are you talking about?"

Victoria exhaled slowly. "This all started before me."

Leonard's eyes darkened.

"Say it clearly."

Victoria stepped closer.

"You made enemies, Leonard."

A pause.

"Powerful ones and now..."Her voice lowered."They're coming for you."

At that exact moment— Leonard's phone buzzed.

He looked into his phone, a message

from an unknown number.

A video.

His chest tightened, he opened it.

The screen flickered—

And then— Isabella, tied, held and alive.

Her eyes locked onto the camera—Steady, unbroken.

Then—

A voice spoke from behind her.

"You came faster than expected."

Leonard's entire world narrowed.

"Who are you?" he said coldly.

A figure stepped into view, still partially hidden, but the voice... sound too familiar.

"You really don't remember me?" the man said.

Leonard's breath slowed.

Then— recognition hit.

"...You."

Victoria's eyes widened slightly because whatever this was— Even she didn't expect it.

Back on the screen— The man smiled faintly.

"Good," he said.

"I was hoping you wouldn't forget everything."

A pause.

"Because this revenge..."

His grip tightened slightly on Isabella's shoulder.

"...is personal."

Leonard's voice dropped to something deadly. "Touch her again..."

A slow pause.

"...and you die."

The man chuckled.

"Then come get her."

The screen went black.

Silence.

The kind that comes before something breaks.

Leonard lowered the phone slowly.

His expression— empty, cold and terrifying.

Victoria stepped back slightly.

Because now— she understood, this wasn't her war anymore, this was something worse, something older, something unfinished.

Leonard turned— already moving.

"Leonard—" Victoria started.

"Stay out of this," he cut her off.

No emotion, no hesitation.

Then—

He walked away because now— This wasn't about power or business, or even revenge.

This— Was about Isabella and whoever took her... Had just started a war they might survive.