Chapter 580

“He doesn’t dare to speak!” Herman’s voice cut through the darkness just as the lights came back on. He stood not far away, a cold, twisted smile at the corners of his mouth.

So, I’d been right—this was his plan all along. There was never any real chance of escape, and now we’d only managed to provoke him. Without thinking, I yanked the person holding my hand behind me, stepping forward protectively.

Herman sneered, his voice dripping with disdain. “Haddy, are you really so pathetic now? Hiding behind a woman?”

Haddy? Was he talking about… Hayden? But where was Hayden?

Then, the person I’d pulled behind me stepped forward, and I heard a voice I knew way too well. I turned, stunned. Standing beside me, hand still in mine, was Hayden.

Wait… Hayden? I could’ve sworn it was Steve leading me. I stared at him, completely thrown. Hayden’s intense gaze was fixed on Hernan. “If you don’t want to lose face, then step aside.”

The confidence in his voice was unmistakable, and I couldn’t help but wonder where he found this kind of nerve.

Hernan laughed, low and mocking. “Don’t tell me you’re actually foolish enough to walk right into my trap without realizing it.”

Hayden’s jaw tightened, but he didn’t flinch. “Then you should know that if I came here, it’s because I plan to leave—whether you like it or not.”

Hernan raised an eyebrow, smirking. “Then let’s see it. I’d love to watch you try to walk out of here… especially with this girl tagging along.”

“If you weren’t standing in his way, maybe he wouldn’t have to,” came Jace’s voice from behind Hernan. Clearly, Hernan was surrounded.

No wonder Steve had been so confident about getting me out. They’d planned this all along.

But Hernan didn’t look the least bit surprised. He just smiled, casting a quick glance to someone nearby before speaking. “Haddy, you might want to look up before you start making threats.”

Hayden and I both looked up. A screen on the ceiling flickered on, showing Yuna and Wade locked in a room, their faces pale and anxious.

My heart clenched, and I whipped around to face Hernan, fury blazing in my eyes. “Kidnapping girls—is that all you’ve got?”

Hernan ignored me, his gaze locked on Hayden. I glanced at Hayden, trying to read him, but his expression was stone-cold.

Then Yara’s voice came through the speakers. “Yuna, Wade, come with me.”

I looked back up. Now the video showed Yara in the room with Yuna and Wade, two of Hernan’s guards unconscious at her feet.

This woman never ceased to amaze me.

Heman’s slow applause filled the room. “Haddy, I have to hand it to you. Just as clever as ever. Not only are your tactics impressive, but you’re bold enough to pull off this little switcheroo right under my nose.”

Hayden’s gaze hardened, a rare spark of defiance in his eyes. “If you know that, then get lost.”

Heman shook his head, smirking. “I’ve waited four years for this showdown. If I let you beat me that easily, how would I ever hold my head up again?”

Heman’s words confirmed it—they had history. Some old grudge that went way back. And somehow, I’d been dragged right into the middle of it.

It was obvious Hayden’s side had the upper hand, but the way Herman was talking? He definitely had more tricks up his sleeve.

I forced myself to stay calm. “Herman, whatever beef you have with Hayden, take it up with him. I’ve got nothing to do with it.”

Honestly, I was just hoping that distancing myself would keep Hayden from splitting his focus to protect me. He’d clearly come here to get me out; that much was obvious.