Chapter 6

When Dylan spun the woman around, his expression darkened instantly, like a shadow falling across his features. From behind, she had looked strikingly similar to Suzy, but her face was a different story—plain, a far cry from Suzy’s striking beauty. The momentary thought that he’d found Suzy attractive only deepened his scowl.

“Hey, handsome, your approach is pretty unique. I like it,” the woman said with a playful smile, leaning closer. “I live nearby. How about we…”

“I’ve got the wrong person,” Dylan interrupted.

As he stepped back, she almost stumbled, but remained undeterred, moving closer again. “Don’t be shy. We’re both adults. What’s to hold back?”

With a sharp glare, Dylan signaled to Desmond, who intervened. Once they were gone, Suzy slipped into Allen’s car, slowly removing the human-skin mask.

She’d initially thought their encounter a coincidence, but Dylan had deliberately sought her out. Why? What did he want? She’d already withdrawn. What more could he possibly want?

Allen seemed equally perplexed. His curiosity finally overwhelmed him, and he asked, “Boss, I just learned… Dylan wasn’t looking for Red Falcon. He’s been searching for his missing wife…”

“Yeah, that’s me,” Suzy replied calmly. There was no point in hiding it any longer.

“…You’re married?” Allen was visibly stunned.

“Was. I married, then divorced.”

“Was it because of Anne?” Allen’s tone was laced with frustration. Dylan’s willingness to spend two hundred million dollars on Anne clearly indicated a deep connection.

Unable to contain himself, Allen cursed under his breath. “Like mother, like daughter. She’s just as rotten as her mother.”

Suzy grasped the implication. “You and the Wheeler family…”

“I have nothing to do with the Wheelers,” Allen said sharply, gripping the steering wheel. It was a painful chapter of his life, one he’d never shared with Suzy. He’d always planned to exact his revenge quietly, without burdening her with his past. After all, Suzy had her own scores to settle.

Anne’s mother, Helena Fox, and Allen’s mother were cousins. A tragedy orphaned Helena, and Allen’s grandmother, out of sympathy, took her in. Little did she know she was harboring a wolf in sheep’s clothing. Helena appeared sweet and caring, but beneath the surface, she was cold and calculating.

When Allen was eight, he discovered his father, William Wheeler, having an affair with Helena—in his mother’s bed—while his mother was away on business. Soon after, they murdered his mother and attempted to burn him alive.

He suffered severe burns. If Suzy hadn’t saved him as he escaped, he wouldn’t be alive today. She nursed him back to health, gave him a new face, and transformed him into someone William wouldn’t recognize.

Suzy saw through Allen’s lie. Since he didn’t want to discuss it further, she didn’t press him. Everyone has secrets. She changed the subject. “Did you handle what I asked before I left?”

Allen opened the glove compartment, producing a blue folder. “The investigation confirms no conflict between the Goodwin and Turner families, now or three years ago. The Goodwins couldn't have learned your real identity.”

Suzy had been the Frost heiress. Years ago, a brutal assassination wiped out her entire family—thirty lives, from relatives to servants. The killers were merciless. Everyone believed no Frost family members survived, unaware someone had risked their life to save Suzy. For years, she’d kept her identity hidden. Only Allen, Raven Murray, and Riley White knew her true identity, and none would betray her.

Suzy opened the folder, examining the contents. Nothing seemed amiss. Yet, three years ago, she distinctly remembered the kidnappers mentioning the Goodwin family. Closing the folder, she tossed it aside. “You can dodge the first blow, but not the second.”

“Yes, if the Goodwin family is involved, no matter how powerful, they’ll pay,” Allen said. “What about Claude?”

Suzy leaned back, eyes half-closed. “He returned early. I didn’t see him.”

“So, the Harlow family next?”

“We’ll see.”

Exhausted from the day’s events, Suzy decided to rest. Anne’s second wave of poisoning was scheduled for tonight. Suzy needed to be well-rested to fully enjoy what was to come.

That night, at the hospital, Anne felt unusually thirsty. Despite drinking plenty of water, her discomfort intensified. The second wave of poison was hitting. Panicked, she called Dylan.

“Mr. Dylan, where are you? I feel awful…” she moaned, not waiting for a reply. But it wasn’t Dylan who answered—it was his sister, Diana Wright.

“Feeling awful? Call a doctor. Why call my brother?” Diana, who had always disliked Anne, continued, “This is my final warning. My brother is married. My grandmother and I accept his wife. Stay away from him.”

Anne, equally unenthusiastic about Diana, retorted, “Oh really? You don’t know they’re divorced, do you? Suzy initiated it.”

“You’re lying!” Diana snapped. “My sister-in-law loves my brother. She’d never ask for a divorce.”

“If you don’t believe me, ask your brother. And your dear sister-in-law ran off with some guy and hasn’t been seen since!”

“You witch! Say another word, and I’ll…” Diana’s rant was cut short as Dylan grabbed the phone.

Looking up, she exclaimed, “Brother, that witch Anne said your wife wants a divorce!”

Dylan’s face was impassive. “Watch your manners.”

“My manners? I’d rather show manners to a dog! Now tell me—is Suzy divorcing you or not?”

“That’s none of your business,” he said, his eyes narrowing. “Focus on your exam tomorrow.”

He turned to leave. Diana pursued him. “How is it not my concern? She saved Grandma’s life! Without her, we’d be orphans. You can’t be so heartless…”

He ignored her pleas. Frustrated, Diana stomped her foot. “I’m calling Grandma!”

Dylan knew Diana would complain to Grace. He couldn’t understand the hold Suzy had on his grandmother and sister. Their adoration bordered on obsession. He hadn’t searched for Suzy to avoid alarming Grace, who was on vacation. But now, the secret was out. He redialed Anne’s number.

“Mr. Dylan, Mr. Dylan…” Anne’s pained voice filled the line.

“What’s wrong?” Dylan asked.

“I feel terrible, like I’m dying. Please save me!”

“Don’t panic. I’m on my way.”