Chapter 2

The sky had turned somber without warning, heavy with moisture and the oppressive feeling that preceded a downpour.

Benjamin stood before the massive floor-to-ceiling windows in his office, irritably loosening his tie. For days, he'd been inexplicably restless, his mind unable to settle.

His assistant chose that moment to burst through the door, breathless with urgency. "Mr. Brown! Terrible news—Mrs. Brown has died!"

Benjamin whirled around, his pupils contracting sharply, staring at his assistant in utter disbelief. "What did you just say? Repeat that."

He failed to notice the slight tremor in his own voice.

The assistant struggled to continue. "Mr. Brown, it's been confirmed that Mrs. Brown died from an infection while in custody. Her body has already been sent for cremation."

Benjamin's tall frame faltered slightly. Unbidden, his mind flashed back to Sophie lying in a pool of blood that day, desperately reaching out to him, silently begging for help.

He had been consumed by rage then—furious that Sophie had repeatedly tried to harm Olivia, even attempting to kill her unborn child.

But he had never actually wanted Sophie dead.

Now, hearing this news, he unconsciously raised a hand to his chest, feeling an unexpected hollowness there.

He should have been relieved that Sophie was finally gone. Olivia's baby had survived after all, and he had originally planned to retrieve Sophie from prison once Olivia's condition stabilized.

But now...

News of Sophie's death in prison quickly reached Olivia as well.

She reclined expressionlessly against her headboard, staring at her slightly swollen abdomen with complicated emotions in her eyes.

She never expected this child would be so resilient—surviving against all odds.

Olivia had conceived through artificial insemination, originally planning to terminate the pregnancy after the wedding.

But with Sophie dead, she needed a new strategy.

Olivia took out her phone and made a call. "Come pick me up now. Proceed as planned."

"Understood."

Meanwhile, Benjamin sat in his study, still processing the news of Sophie's death.

His phone rang sharply.

He had barely answered when Olivia's panicked voice came through.

"Benjamin, I've been kidnapped! Please help me! I..."

The call abruptly cut off.

"Olivia!"

Benjamin jumped to his feet in alarm, already dialing his assistant. "Track Olivia's location immediately. Time is critical."

"Yes, Mr. Brown."

The assistant quickly sent over the coordinates. Olivia was being held in an abandoned factory on the north side of the city.

Benjamin floored the accelerator, racing to the location at breakneck speed. There, he found Olivia with her hands bound.

Fear filled her eyes. When she saw Benjamin, she immediately cried out, "Benjamin! Help me!"

The kidnapper beside her pressed a knife against her throat as Benjamin approached. "Benjamin! Take one more step and I'll kill her right now!"

Benjamin froze, studying the kidnapper with complex emotions. "Who sent you? Whatever you want, I can give it to you! Just let Olivia go!"

The kidnapper snarled, "I don't want anything! Mr. Scott sent me with one purpose—to make Olivia pay for what happened, to join Ms. Scott in death!"

A glint of coldness flashed in Benjamin's eyes as he wondered who the man was referring to.

"What did they offer you to risk your life like this? I'll double whatever it is," Benjamin said, raising his hands and cautiously stepping forward, his gaze fixed on the knife at Olivia's throat.

"And who exactly is this 'Mr. Scott' you mentioned?"

Sophie's older brother Simon had disappeared long ago.

And her second brother, Steve, had been sent to prison by Benjamin himself.

Those were Sophie's only significant family members.

The kidnapper answered without hesitation. "Steve, of course. He gave me strict orders—Olivia must pay the price."

The fury in Benjamin's eyes intensified to glacial levels.

He thought he'd made the Scott family pay dearly already, but apparently, they still had the resources to strike back. His mercy had been misplaced, and now Olivia was in danger because of it!

Seeing that her message had been successfully conveyed, Olivia cried out. "Benjamin, I'm so scared!"

"I won't let anything happen to you!" Benjamin's gaze remained locked on the kidnapper.

Behind Benjamin's back, Olivia secretly nudged the kidnapper's leg with her bound hands. Their plan had succeeded perfectly—now it was time for the kidnapper to make his exit.

Understanding the signal, the kidnapper began slowly backing away with Olivia.

Suddenly, he stumbled and fell.

Benjamin seized the opportunity, lunging forward and grappling with the kidnapper.

Using his superior strength, Benjamin pinned the man to the ground, though the kidnapper continued struggling desperately.

Olivia grabbed the knife that had fallen to the floor and urgently said, "Benjamin, let me help you!"

Without hesitation, she aimed for the kidnapper's chest and drove the blade in.

The kidnapper, his heart pierced, stared at Olivia in disbelief. His trembling hand rose slightly. "You..."

Olivia quickly assumed a terrified expression, releasing the knife and crying out in panic. "Benjamin, I... I killed someone!"

Benjamin's piercing gaze shifted from the wide-eyed corpse. Olivia seized the moment to collapse into his arms, sobbing uncontrollably.

"Benjamin, I killed him! Will I go to prison now? I was so frightened when he kidnapped me—all I could think about was never seeing you again. What should I do?"

After a moment's hesitation, Benjamin slowly patted Olivia's shoulder. "I won't let anything happen to you. Besides, he deserved to die."

Besides the kidnapper, he would make Steve pay as well.

Benjamin took Olivia to the hospital for a comprehensive examination. He pulled out his phone and typed a message: [Transfer Steve to the most remote prison facility.]

He hesitated momentarily before sending it, remembering that long ago, he and Steve had been best friends. But ultimately, he pressed send.

Five years later, Sophie walked out of the airport, holding a beautiful child by each hand.

Though she wore only light makeup, her natural beauty made her look like a movie star. Flanked by her two exquisite children, the strikingly attractive trio immediately turned heads.

Sophie gazed at the familiar city where she had lived for so many years, hatred flashing beneath her beautiful eyes.

'Luminous City, I'm back!' She thought to herself.