Chapter 62:

Jayden gestured with his finger, prompting Vinny to move behind him. "I understand why you did what you did, Miss Foster," Jayden began. "One would have to be either a fool or a martyr to willingly marry a cripple like me. So, I understand why you ran away."

Vinny was taken aback. Was he hallucinating? Jayden wasn't ordering him to punish Joanna; he was expressing empathy.

His once cold and ruthless boss seemed to have softened since his marriage.

Joanna was equally shocked. She never expected this reaction. "Do you… do you really mean it? Are you going to let me go?"

"Of course. I just need to know how you escaped on our wedding day despite the heavy surveillance," Jayden replied calmly.

Joanna paled, then trembled. "Someone helped me, but I don't know who. We communicated online. They helped me hide and evade my pursuers, then disappeared. I couldn't contact them again. I'm telling the truth, I promise."

Jayden tapped his finger on his wheelchair's armrest, his expression unreadable. He found her explanation suspicious.

"You don't have to prove your claims," Vinny interjected sternly, "but you know what will happen if we find out you're lying."

Joanna shrank back, realizing the consequences. Jayden ordered her gagged again before leaving the storage room, leaving Joanna uncertain of his belief.

Vinny sneered. "Looks like this small room will be your home for now. What a pity. You almost became the hostess of the whole villa."

"Why would I want to be a cripple's wife?" Joanna retorted scornfully. "I bet there's something wrong with his current wife. I feel sorry for her. She'll have a sexless life forever!"

Ignoring her, Vinny stuffed the rag back in her mouth. "Well then, have a good rest."

Joanna struggled, but to no avail. Had she known she'd be captured, she would have fled abroad after her escape. Now, her future was uncertain.

Vinny checked the ropes, leaving only when satisfied she couldn't escape. "Everything's taken care of, Mr. Owen."

Jayden nodded and led the way back to the main villa. "Be vigilant. I don't want Elyse to know about this—much less my former fiancée."

"Rest assured, I'll keep an eye on Joanna," Vinny said. A moment later, he added, "Do you believe her, Mr. Owen? Online correspondence isn't very convincing."

"I think there's some truth, but it doesn't matter now. She's bound to contact that person again. Detain her for a few days, then release her. Have your men tail her and see where she goes."

Vinny's face brightened. "I understand. Don't worry." Instead of returning with Jayden, he slipped through a back door.

Jayden found Elyse tuning her violin. "What's this? A performance?"

Elyse turned. "If I pass tomorrow's competition, I could tour. If I win, I might even be concertmaster."

Driscoll clapped. "Congratulations! You're a step closer to your dreams!"

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