Married to the Ruthless Billionaire

chapter 6. Trapped

"I never said you could leave."

Victor's voice echoed across the abandoned estate.

My breath caught in my throat.

Floodlights illuminated the cemetery, revealing dozens of armed men surrounding us. Their weapons were aimed directly at James and his security team.

The rain continued to fall, soaking the ground beneath our feet.

James didn't flinch.

He slowly stepped in front of me, shielding me with his body.

"Stay behind me," he said quietly.

"I'm not leaving you."

His jaw tightened.

"Rose."

"I mean it."

For a brief second, his icy expression softened.

Then he turned his attention back to Victor.

"If this is between us," James said, "let her father go."

Victor laughed.

"You've changed."

"I remember a time when you never cared about anyone."

His blue eyes shifted toward me.

"But now..."

He smiled wickedly.

"...you've finally found something worth losing."

James's voice turned deadly calm.

"Where is Michael Bennett?"

Victor clapped slowly.

"Straight to business."

He nodded toward the old mansion.

"The old man is inside."

Hope surged through me.

"Dad..."

I took a step forward, but James caught my wrist.

"It's a trap."

"I know."

"Then why are you stopping me?"

"Because that's exactly what Victor wants."

Victor chuckled.

"You're still smarter than everyone else, cousin."

He reached into his coat pocket and tossed a small silver key onto the wet ground.

It landed at James's feet.

"The basement."

"First door on the left."

"You'll find him there."

I looked at James.

"He told us where Dad is."

James didn't move.

"He wants us to believe that."

Victor shrugged.

"Believe whatever you want."

His smile widened.

"But remember..."

He looked at his watch.

"You only have fifteen minutes."

"What happens in fifteen minutes?" James asked.

Victor's smile disappeared.

"The explosives beneath this estate will detonate."

My heart stopped.

"What?"

Victor spread his arms.

"If you stay..."

"You die."

"If you leave..."

He glanced at me.

"...your father dies."

The rain seemed to grow heavier.

Every second felt painfully loud.

James bent down and picked up the silver key.

"You planted bombs?"

Victor grinned.

"I learned from the best."

James's eyes became as cold as ice.

"You've gone too far."

"No."

Victor shook his head.

"I'm just getting started."

Without another word, he turned and disappeared into the darkness.

His men followed him, leaving us standing alone in the cemetery.

One of James's guards rushed over.

"Sir, I scanned the area."

He looked pale.

"There are heat signatures under the mansion."

James frowned.

"How many?"

"Too many."

"And the bombs?"

The guard swallowed hard.

"I found evidence of explosives."

I grabbed James's arm.

"We have to save my father."

He looked at the mansion, then at his watch.

Fourteen minutes remained.

He took a deep breath.

"We split up."

"No!" I said immediately.

"We stay together."

James cupped my face gently, his gray eyes locking onto mine.

"Listen to me."

His voice was softer than I had ever heard.

"If anything happens to me..."

I shook my head before he could finish.

"Don't."

"You have to."

Tears filled my eyes.

"I'm not losing you too."

For a moment, time stood still.

James brushed a strand of wet hair away from my face.

Then, before I could react...

He leaned down and kissed my forehead.

"I'll come back."

He turned toward the mansion.

Just as he reached the front steps—

A piercing scream echoed from inside.

It was my father's voice.

And it was followed by a countdown broadcast through hidden speakers across the estate.

"Ten minutes until detonation..."

The mechanical voice echoed through the estate.

My heart lurched into my throat.

"Dad!" I screamed.

Without thinking, I bolted toward the mansion.

"Rose, wait!" James shouted.

But it was too late.

I pushed open the heavy wooden doors and ran inside.

The mansion was dark.

Dust covered the floor, and broken furniture lay scattered throughout the grand foyer.

The air smelled of mold and smoke.

"Rose!"

James caught up with me and grabbed my wrist.

"I told you not to run off."

"I heard my father!"

"So did I."

His grip tightened.

"And that's exactly why we need to stay calm."

Another announcement echoed through the halls.

"Nine minutes until detonation..."

James signaled for his security team.

"Search every floor."

"Yes, sir!"

The guards split into groups, disappearing into different corridors.

James looked down at the silver key Victor had given him.

"The basement."

We hurried toward a narrow staircase at the end of the hallway.

Every step creaked beneath our feet.

The deeper we descended, the colder the air became.

At the bottom of the stairs stood a rusted iron door.

James inserted the key.

It clicked.

Slowly, he pushed the door open.

The room beyond was almost completely dark.

A single light bulb swung from the ceiling.

Beneath it...

A man sat tied to a chair.

"Dad!"

I rushed forward, tears filling my eyes.

His face was bruised, and dried blood stained the corner of his mouth.

His eyes slowly opened.

"Rosie..."

He tried to smile.

"You came."

I threw my arms around him.

"I'm getting you out of here."

James quickly cut the ropes binding his wrists.

"Can you stand?"

My father nodded weakly.

"I'll manage."

James slipped one of my father's arms over his shoulder.

"We're leaving."

Suddenly...

Michael Bennett grabbed James's sleeve.

"No."

James frowned.

"What?"

"There isn't enough time."

"What are you talking about?"

My father looked at me with tear-filled eyes.

"The bombs aren't the real trap."

A chill swept through the room.

"What do you mean?" I asked.

His voice trembled.

"Victor never wanted me."

"He wanted you."

James's expression darkened.

"I figured as much."

My father shook his head.

"No..."

"You don't understand."

He reached into his shirt and pulled out a small gold pendant hanging from a chain around his neck.

With shaking hands, he placed it in mine.

"I've kept this hidden for twenty-five years."

I stared at the pendant.

There was a strange family crest engraved on it.

"I don't understand."

"You will."

Fresh tears rolled down his face.

"I'm not your biological father, Rosie."

The words struck me harder than any bullet.

"No..."

"It's true."

"I found you..."

He struggled to breathe.

"...outside a church on a stormy night."

"I couldn't leave you there."

"So I raised you as my own."

The world tilted beneath my feet.

Every memory...

Every birthday...

Every bedtime story...

Every hug...

Had been real.

But my life had been built on a secret.

Before I could speak—

A loud beep echoed through the basement.

James looked toward the wall.

His face changed instantly.

"The timer."

A digital countdown flashed bright red.

02:00

Two minutes.

James grabbed my hand.

"We have to go!"

At that exact moment...

The basement door slammed shut.

A metallic lock clicked into place.

Then Victor's voice echoed through hidden speakers.

"Surprise."

He laughed.

"I forgot to mention..."

"There was never a way out."