THE CHASE BEGINS
Lucien didn't sleep.
He stared at Elara's empty side of the bed, jaw clenched.
"She didn't do it," he muttered. "I know she didn't."
At dawn, he was already on his phone.
"Find her," he ordered his security team. "No matter where she is."
"Yes, sir."
For the first time in years, Lucien Blackwood left his office and went into the streets himself.
---
Elara's Hideout
Elara rented a tiny room above a bakery on the outskirts of the city.
The smell of bread filled the air every morning.
It was simple. Quiet.
Safe.
She found a temporary job at a small publishing house, avoiding social media and the news.
But fate didn't let her rest.
Her coworker whispered one afternoon,
"Did you see this?"
She showed Elara her phone.
A headline:
BLACKWOOD CEO SEARCHES FOR DISAPPEARED WIFE AFTER OFFICE SCANDAL
Elara froze.
"He's looking for you?" the girl asked.
Elara forced a smile.
"He's bored."
But her heart wasn't calm.
---
Lucien's Investigation
Lucien met with his tech team.
"Track the IP address from the leak," he ordered.
"I want everything."
Minutes later—
"Sir," his assistant said, nervous.
"The footage was edited. Someone replaced the face."
Lucien's eyes darkened.
"I knew it."
"Trace who did it."
"There's a trail," the tech guy said.
"It leads to… Serena Vale."
Lucien stood abruptly.
That name burned.
---
Serena's Mistake
Serena sat in a spa, relaxed.
Her phone rang.
She answered lazily.
"What?"
Lucien's voice was cold.
"Did you enjoy destroying my wife?"
Her smile froze.
"I don't know what you're talking about."
"Lie again," he said. "I dare you."
Silence.
"I have proof," he continued.
"You framed her."
Serena scoffed.
"You don't scare me."
"You should be terrified."
He hung up.
Serena's hands trembled.
"He found out…" she whispered.