Chapter 84

It took some time before Kayla noticed the taxi was straying farther and farther from familiar streets, the scenery growing more desolate by the minute. She shot a worried look at the driver and asked,"This isn't the way home. Did you get lost?"

The driver gave no reply, eyes locked on the road as his foot pressed down, picking up speed.

A chill crept up Kayla's spine. Sensing danger, she slapped her palm against the back of the seat and shouted, "Pull over! Let me out, right now!"

Ignoring her protests, the driver slammed the pedal down and veered onto a rugged, uneven path.

Thrown side to side by the rough ride, Kayla fumbled desperately for her phone, intent on calling for help.

Before her fingers could dial a single number, the car screeched to a halt. The back door flew open, and two strangers yanked her from the seat.

A hood slipped over her head, plunging everything into darkness. "Who are you? Let me go!" she screamed,voice raw with terror.

Her cries were ignored as the men stuffed her into a different vehicle and sped away.

Bound and helpless in the back seat, Kayla struggled and screamed, but her efforts were swallowed by silence. Eventually, the car ground to a stop.

She was dragged out, half-carried, and brought to the entrance of a rundown motel. They paused outside a battered door.

"Move!" one of them shouted, untying her just long enough to shove her roughly inside.

Kayla stumbled, barely catching herself against the peeling wallpaper.

In the next instant, the hood was yanked away,and harsh light stabbed her eyes. She squinted, shielding her eyes from the glare.

A slimy voice slithered out of the shadows. "Well,well, look who it is. Missed me,sweetheart?"

Revulsion twisted Kayla's stomach as she turned and spotted Isaac. His bloated frame and leering,greasy face made her skin crawl.

A wave of nausea rolled over her, forcing her to steady herself against the wall as she fought to keep from retching

Seeing her in that state only seemed to darken Isaac's mood. He grabbed her roughly by the collar, his words seething with anger. "You bitch! How dare you get me drunk tonight? You'll pay for this, I promise!"

Reacting fast, Kayla slammed her heel onto his foot and jerked away. "Back off! Don't you dare lay a finger on me!"

A twisted glint shone in Isaac's eyes as he sized her up,openly leering at her face and the lines of her figure.He licked his lips and took another step forward."Here's the deal. If you satisfy me tonight, maybe I'll let the past slide. What do you say?"

Kayla continued to retreat, inching behind the couch as a barrier. She spat her contempt at him. "If you're so desperate, why not buy yourself a prostitute? You act like a respected CEO, but you're nothing but filth."

Her insults only seemed to fuel lsaac's sick excitement. "Say what you like now. Soon you'lI be begging me to stop. We'll see how defiant you are then."

He wiped his mouth, eyes locked on her as he moved closer. Kayla snatched up a sofa cushion and flung it in his face.

As Isaac lunged,she raced for the window, throwing it wide open. The night wind tore through the room,tossing loose papers into the air.

Leaning halfway out, Kayla fixed him with a steely glare. "One more step and I'll jump. Don't test me!"

Isaac let out a mocking laugh. "Go ahead. It's your choice."

Kayla's voice turned cold. "You sure about that? The room's in your name. The police will find out everything. Imagine the scandal-'Brewer Group CEO Drives Woman to Suicide.' How do you think that'll play in the news?"

His expression faltered, panic flickering across his features. Narrowing his gaze, he trieda new tactic."Come over here. Spend the night, and I'll make you rich-more than a hundred times what Newton Group pays you. You could live like royalty."

A sharp laugh escaped Kayla. "Keep your money. Not everything's for sale. If you know what's good for you,you'll let me walk out of here now."

Isaac's temper snapped. He whipped out his phone,barking orders for his men to come in.

Seeing her chance, Kayla bolted for the exit. The fool hadn't bothered to lock the door, and she slipped out without looking back.

Isaac's furious voice echoed behind her. "Don't let her get away!"

Sprinting down the corridor, Kayla made it to the elevator-only to find herself face-to-face with Isaac's men. For a split second, everyone froze,uncertain.

Recovering quickly, Kayla pointed frantically down the hall. "Isaac's about to jump out the window! Hurry!"

The men's heads whipped in the direction she'd indicated.Before they could process her words, she was already gone. Realizing they'd been duped, the head of the group snapped, "She's got to be close! Find her, now!"

Kayla darted past the stairwell, heart pounding. Out of nowhere, a hand shot out and seized her, yanking her into the dark.