Secret Admiration: Finding True Love After…

Chapter 664 Andy

Emilia stared at the man, her heart racing.

He wore a low-brimmed cap that cast shadows over his face, obscuring his features, but she recognized him instantly.

This was the same man who had extorted the Clarke family for a staggering 100 million dollars!

Though they had managed to negotiate her ransom down to 80 million dollars, the reality was that the money had been stolen from them—money that could have helped her family.

“Why is he here? Is he planning to kidnap me again?”

Panic surged through her as memories of her harrowing experience flooded back. Without thinking, she pressed her foot down on the accelerator, ready to flee.

As she started the engine, she considered calling the police but hesitated.

This man had snatched her from the bustling streets of Kingsdom without a trace.

If he was part of a larger crime syndicate, alerting the authorities might only put her and the Clarke family in greater danger.

These ruthless criminals thrived on fear, and she couldn’t risk stirring the hornet’s nest.

After weighing her options, she decided against calling for help—at least for now.

The day Emilia was kidnapped, she had been blindfolded and confined to a pitch-black basement.

That night, while her captors were distracted, she had managed to wriggle free from her bindings and pull off the cloth covering her eyes.

But when Emilia saw the guards surrounding her, she quickly abandoned the idea of escape.

If she was caught, it could mean death. It was safer to wait for her family to come for her.

From the dark confines of the basement, Emilia had caught a glimpse of the man’s true face.

Because she was in the dark, she could see everything that was happening in the light with perfect clarity.

Emilia noticed a scar on the man’s nose, a slash from a dagger that looked like it had been there for years.

Despite his rugged appearance, he had a strikingly handsome face, though the scar gave him an air of cold detachment.

The thugs below had referred to him as Andy.

Before he entered, she had carefully covered her eyes again.

Recalling the countless indignities she had suffered and the whispers that had circulated in Kingsdom since her return, Emilia gripped the steering wheel tightly and vowed, “I won’t let this go unpunished.

“Even if they are ruthless criminals, I will root them out!”

Emilia forced herself to appear nonchalant as she drove away, deliberately slowing her speed.

To her relief, the man didn’t follow her.

“Does this mean I’m not their target anymore?” she wondered, her curiosity piqued.

Instead of driving far, she found a secluded spot to hide and keep an eye on the man.

He squatted by the roadside, lazily smoking a couple of cigarettes.

Emilia noticed others lurking nearby, clearly keeping watch.

It was evident that he wasn’t acting alone.

This group was sharp, alert to any signs of trouble, and ready to spring into action at the slightest disturbance.

After finishing his smokes, the man in the cap climbed into a black van parked a short distance away.

The vehicle roared to life and sped off into the distance.

“What were they just watching?” Emilia pondered, feeling a mix of trepidation and determination.

After a brief moment of hesitation, she decided to follow them.

She knew these criminals were skilled at evading detection, so she kept her distance, ensuring she wouldn’t be spotted.

Right now, Emilia had the advantage—these people had no idea she had recognized them.

After all, during her kidnapping, she had been blindfolded the entire time.

The black van drove for over an hour before stopping near a nondescript house on the outskirts of the city.

Emilia had never been here before, but she had heard rumors about the area.

It was known for being chaotic, with winding alleys and a mix of people.

There were several exits, making it an ideal hideout and escape route—exactly the kind of place criminals would choose to reside.

She suspected they must be living nearby.

Not wanting to draw attention to herself with her luxury car, Emilia parked a few hundred feet away in an abandoned lot and started walking toward the houses.

But by the time she arrived, the group had vanished.

Frowning, Emilia felt a surge of frustration.

She couldn’t just give up like this.

Then, from the corner of her eye, she spotted a nearby convenience store.

A light bulb went off in her head.

“I’ve got a clever way to get close to him!” she thought, her excitement building.

Meanwhile, Rachel was sulking in her room, growing angrier by the minute.

“So what if I’m pretending to be blind? Why should Meryl’s friend come over and splash water in my face to humiliate me?”

After splashing some water on her face and changing her clothes, she stormed out, ready to confront Meryl.

But as Rachel reached the hallway, she remembered the cameras scattered throughout the house. She hesitated, weighing her options, and ultimately retreated to her room.

Rachel had never felt so frustrated and powerless in her life.

Just as she was stewing in her anger, her phone rang.

“Who could be calling me at this hour?” she muttered, a chill running down her spine.

Seeing Christopher’s name flash on the screen, her expression turned icy. She wasn’t surprised at all.

“Yeah?” she answered, her tone sharp.

“Rachel, it’s been a while. I’ve missed you…”

Since Rachel had started pretending to be blind, she hadn’t seen Christopher in over half a month.

And after the plagiarism scandal that got her kicked out of the orchestra, he hadn’t been able to sneak into her room.

Biting her lip, she replied, “Your fiancée just splashed water in my face, Christopher. I think it’s best if we don’t talk anymore. I’m worried she might find out about us and do something drastic.”

Christopher’s voice rose in surprise. “Emilia? Why would she splash water on you?

“Anyway, she’s not my fiancée anymore. She was kidnapped, and her reputation is in shambles. Everyone’s talking about how she’s lost her innocence, and now the Clarke family is basically a shell of what it once was. They’re not worthy of the Powell family anymore.

“Are you happy about this? Because now I’m all yours,” he said, a hint of eagerness in his voice.

Rachel’s heart sank.

The cancellation of the engagement between the Powell and Clarke families meant Christopher might feel even more emboldened to pursue her without restraint.

He said, his tone softening, “Rachel, I can’t take it anymore. I really miss you. Where are you right now? Can I come by tonight? I want to be with you…”

Suddenly realizing she was at Chandler’s place, Rachel felt a wave of relief wash over her.

“Not a good time. I’m with Chandler right now.”

At that, Christopher’s tone darkened. “Chandler brought you home? You’ve been living with him this whole time? Have you two… slept together?”

If Chandler dared to touch her, Christopher would make him pay dearly.

Rachel knew Christopher could be extreme.

She felt a pang of fear for Chandler’s safety and quickly reassured him, “He hasn’t touched me. Don’t do anything crazy.”

“Then what do you feel for Chandler? Rachel, do you still have feelings for me?”

Of course, she didn’t.

Every time Christopher got close, she felt nothing but disgust.