Requiem of a Broken Heart

Chapter 12 Chapter 12: Rachel wanted to speak, but her face had turned a deep, suffocating red. She could barely draw in a breath.

Maddox's voice was a furious snarl. "Bitch! You forgive everyone else, but you're determined to ruin me. I gave you a chance-you threw it away. Fine. If that's how you want it, don't blme for what happens next. You brought this on yourself." Rachel's vision blurred as her lungs burned for air. Her body felt weightless, and consciousness slipped from her grasp.

But in that moment of desperation, her gaze landed on her phone.

The call to Brian hadn't disconnected.

With the last of her strength, she reached out, her fingers trembling, and forced out a strangled whisper. "Brian... save me..." On the other end, voices stirred.

Tracy's light, casual tone broke through. "Brian, your phone rang. I picked up for you-hope you don't mind." "Who was it?" Brian asked, sounding disinterested.

"Rachel. Probably work-related." Annoyance flickered across his face. Lately, all their conversations seemed to revolve around work. He wasn't in the mood.

"I accidentally hung up. Maybe you should call her back,” Tracy said breezily.

But Brian's phone was still connected.

Rachel knew that Tracy had intentionally let her overhear their conversation.

Get lost in stories on gVlnovl☐☐☐☐ It was a deliberate move meant to drive a wedge.

And it worked.

Brian's voice cthrough, indifferent. "Forget it. If it's important, she'll call again." Since it was just work, he figured Rachel would eventually reach out. “Okay." With a bright, sweet smile, Tracy ended the call and handed the phone back to Brian.

Rachel closed her eyes. A quiet, crushing despair filled her chest.

A single tear slipped down her cheek.

She stopped struggling. Maddox wasn't going to let her go.

"Rachel, go to hell!" Maddox's grip tightened, ready to end it.

But at that moment, Samira's eyes fluttered open. She took in the scene, blood still dripping down her face, but there was no tto react to her own pain. "Maddox, don't be reckless!" she shouted. "We can talk this through. You're not desperate for money, right? We can figure something out." Maddox let out a cold, mocking laugh. "Talk? About what? I'm not stupid. The company doesn't forgive traitors. Do you really think I'll get special treatment?" "No," Samira said quickly, her voice steady despite the fear in her eyes. "But someone else does. Mr. Brian White has that authority." Samira's words sparked a flicker of hope in Maddox's darkened eyes. His rage, though still simmering, settled just enough.

Loosening his grip on Rachel, he ordered coldly, "Go tell him. Five minutes. If Brian isn't here by then, she dies." Rachel gasped, finally pulling in a lungful of air.

"Maddox, I know this is hard for you to accept, but listen to me—if you don't stop now, you'll only make things worse. Letgo while you still can." She knew Brian.

Nothing enraged him more than being backed into a corner, especially when it cto business. Even if Maddox got the upper hand today, Brian would crush him later.

"Shut the fuck up!" Without warning, he pulled out a knife.

The blade pressed against Rachel's throat, its icy edge biting into her skin. His eyes darkened with vicious determination. "Try anything, and I'll slice her to pieces." "Alright, alright. Just stay calm. I'm going now!" Samira didn't waste another second. She turned and bolted for the top floor.

Panting, she pounded on the door-only to cface-to-face with Tracy. Tracy, having already overheard the phone call, knew exactly what was happening.

But it was the perfect chance-how could she let it go to waste? If Rachel were to die right here at work, with no way to trace it back to her, it would be ideal.

There was no way she was letting Samira in.

"Is Mr. White in? I need to see him immediately." "He's not," Tracy answered flatly.

"This is urgent. I have to speak with him-it's a matter of life and death." Samira wasn't easily deceived. As she spoke, she subtly craned her neck, trying to get a glimpse inside the office. Tracy's expression darkened instantly.

"Are you serious? How dare you!" she snapped.

"I already told you-he's not here. Can't you hear me?" Her sharp tone dripped with irritation, but Samira held her ground.

Right now, saving Rachel was the only thing that mattered. And judging by Tracy's reaction, Brian was definitely inside.

"My apologies. That was rude of me. I'll take my leave." Her voice softened, her demeanor turning apologetic. Tracy let her guard down.

But the next second, Samira lunged forward, shoving Tracy aside and dashing toward the office. "Mr. White! I'm Rachel Marsh's assistant! I must see you-now!" Tracy immediately grabbed Samira, yanking her toward the exit.

Samira fought back, her voice ringing through the hallway. "Ms. Marsh is being held at knifepoint! Please, you have to save her!" Just as she was about to be thrown out, Brian ended the teleconference. The inner door swung open, and he strode out, his tall frcasting a shadow over Samira.

His voice, as cold as steel, cut through the tension. "Say that again. What happened to Rachel?" "Maddox Clarkson has a knife to her throat," Samira stammered, her breath unsteady. “He said... he wants to see you." "Takethere. Now." "I'm coming too." Tracy stepped forward, determined to follow.

But just as they were about to enter the elevator, it suddenly malfunctioned.

Samira gasped, her panic flaring. "What do we do? Maddox said he'd only wait five minutes-if you're not there "I'd like to see him try," Brian growled, his fists clenching at his sides.

In the dim emergency lighting, Tracy's lips curved into the faintest smile.

She turned to Brian, her voice gentle, almost soothing.

"Brian, don't lose your head. Rachel's still in his hands. If we panic, she's the one who'll suffer." Brian didn't hesitate. "We're taking the stairs." With that, he took the lead, his strides purposeful and unyielding.

As they hurried down the stairs, Samira quickly filled him in on the details.

Brian's voice dropped to a lethal chill.

"Maddox Clarkson's n's gota deathm wish" How dare that bastard lay a hand on his woman? Inside Rachel's office, Maddox kept his eyes on the clock. "Four minutes and forty seconds." A slow, taunting grin spread across his face. "Ten seconds left. Ten... nine... eight... three..." His grip on the knife tightened. "Looks like this is it for you." Just as the blade was about to slash down, the office door burst open with a deafening crack.

Brian stood at the threshold, his presence ice-cold, his stare sharp enough to cut through steel.

His fists clenched at his sides. "I'll give you three seconds. Let her go. Or I swear, you won't live to regret it." Maddox stiffened, momentarily rattled by the sheer force of Brian's rage.

But within seconds, he steadied himself, tilting his chin defiantly.

"One million. That's my price. No money, no deal." Brian's jaw tightened, his voice grinding out between clenched teeth. "Are you threatening me?"

Maddox smirked. "Con, Mr.

White. White Group's untouchable, sure. But if an employee dies under ve your watch and the media gets wind of it? The stock crash alone would cost you way more than a million. Think about it-it's a fair trade." The crack of Brian's knuckles echoed in the room, his fists so tight they practically groaned under the pressure.

Rachel had been right-he despised being threatened more than anything.

And Tracy, ever the opportunist, knew it all too well.

She stepped forward, her expression calm, her voice smooth.

"Maddox Clarkson, isn't it? If all you need is a bargaining chip, then fine. Let her go—I'll take her place." Rachel's lips curved into a faint smile. What a scheming woman.

Saving her was just an excuse.

The real play here was proving her worth in Brian's eyes.

To be honest, Rachel was curious too.

She turned to Brian, her tone laced with intrigue. "Ms. Haynes is som selfless should be grateful. If that's the case, why not let her take my place? What do you think, Mr. White?" Her gaze stayed locked on his. Right now, she wanted to know the answer just as much as anyone else.

With both women in equal danger, who would Brian choose? Her or Tracy?