Dark Romance: A Cruel Obsession

As a result, Vivian mischievously smiled at her, and Shelley couldn’t help but burst into laughter as they locked eyes.

Once they had finished laughing, Shelley clearly explained the purpose of their meeting, saying, “I heard that Alajos had Festus and his hackers searching for a man named Mark within the entire Houston area. Is he one of your father’s men?”

Vivian was somewhat tense. “Did Festus find him?”

Normally, when talking about Festus’s hacking skills, Shelley would boast and brag, but not this time.

Vivian suddenly felt afraid to know the outcome.

“We found a few leads, with the most recent one…” Shelley glanced at her with concern.

Vivian looked at her firmly. “Go on.”

“Mark’s latest whereabouts show that he was in the apartment building when Lopaka broke into Alajos’s apartment last night attempting to kidnap Luzia.”

“What?” This news struck Vivian with immense force, causing her to feel physically weak.

So, last night, while she was hiding in the bathroom, thinking she was safe, Mark was lurking somewhere in the apartment building, waiting like a cheetah for the opportunity to strike, observing her and Dhanna’s vulnerable throats.

“Vivian, are you okay?” Shelley helped her sit down on a nearby bench. “Although we’ve lost track of Mark again, rest assured, Festus has confirmed that Alajos’s apartment is now absolutely secure.”

“Mark is cunning, and we don’t know his specific plans, but he made a very foolish move by recruiting a brute like Lopaka as his accomplice,” Shelley said. “Lopaka exposed him, and in order to maintain some secrecy, Alajos and the others believe that Mark will lay low for a while before taking action. Until then…”

“For how long?” Vivian interrupted Shelley’s comforting words.

“What?” Shelley didn’t catch on.

“How long is ‘for a while’?” Vivian’s voice trembled. “A day? Two days? Or a month? Two months?”

Shelley couldn’t provide an answer.

Vivian’s emotions started to unravel. She tightened her grip on Dhanna’s hand, her voice choking, “Mark is like a time bomb. Only God knows when he will explode.”

“You shouldn’t dwell on it too much,” Shelley comforted her. “The security system at the apartment has been enhanced, and until Mark is caught, security guards will patrol the building 24/7. My father has taken over some of Simpson’s work at the harbor, and for the time being, Simpson and Emmert will move into the apartment to protect you and Dhanna. I believe this appointment will come soon.”

“Vivian, I told you this to raise your awareness. Dhanna is still young, she doesn’t have the ability to protect herself, and you need to be vigilant at all times to ensure her safety,” Shelley said. “But I don’t want to burden you too much with this.”

“I understand, thank you, Shelley.” Vivian looked down at her daughter sleeping peacefully in her arms. She was so adorable and so young. If she fell into Mark’s or her father’s hands…

The image of Bryson’s cruel smile holding a baby in a swaddle immediately flashed before Vivian’s eyes, his intentions clear.

Dhanna would be killed!

The scene was too brutal and bloody; just thinking about it tore Vivian’s heart apart.

“I can’t just sit around waiting for the worst.” Vivian clenched her lips until the taste of blood filled her mouth. “Instead of letting others control my fate, I’d rather take control myself.”

“What?” Shelley was shocked by Vivian’s impassioned words. If she were to say something like that, it would be understandable, but Vivian’s words…

“You mustn’t act rashly!”

“I won’t.” Vivian denied, “I’m serious.”

“If one day I truly fall into Mark’s clutches with no chance of rescue, I can face death calmly. But I am a mother, and I have a duty to protect my daughter from harm.”

“If we can’t dismantle Mark, who is like a time bomb, let’s detonate him in a controlled environment.”Content protected by Nôv/el(D)rama.Org.

Vivian’s determined expression indicated to Shelley the crazy decision she had made. Shelley felt like either she or Vivian was losing their mind. “What… what do you want to do?”

Vivian didn’t directly respond to Shelley. “Thank you for telling me this, Shelley. I’m going back now, you should head home too.”

Emmert’s car pulled up at that moment, and Vivian bid farewell to Shelley once more before getting in.

Shelley couldn’t stop Vivian from leaving, feeling anxious, “I hope nothing bad happens.” She hesitated to call Festus, feeling she had caused trouble.

Unaware of Shelley’s turmoil, Vivian gazed out the window at the bustling streets and crowds, her mind far from calm.

If her father was truly alive, and if Mark was truly loyal to him, would he truly accept the status quo given her father’s ambitions? Of course not!

So, what would her father do to change the situation?

Vivian thought of Lopaka’s hit list.

Would her father’s goals align with Lopaka’s?

Lopaka wanted to kill them out of revenge or anger, but what about her father?

Vivian had experienced Bryson’s ruthlessness and cunning. His intentions couldn’t possibly be as violent and lewd as Lopaka’s.

So, what were they?

As the sports car sped through Houston’s streets, heading towards Alajos’s apartment, Vivian turned to Emmert.

“Emmert, we have to go to Auntie’s place.”

Emmert was surprised by Vivian’s sudden request and glanced at her through the rearview mirror. “Now?”

Vivian nodded expressionlessly. “Yes, please take me there now.”

“But, Alajos…” He was supposed to take you back to the apartment.