Ariel is devastated when Samson reveals that their child exists, a fact she had never anticipated. The news fills her with deep pain and fear for the baby’s safety, as this child represents her only chance at motherhood and hope for the future. Despite never having held the baby, Ariel’s love and protectiveness are overwhelming, and she is determined to keep the child safe at any cost.

Samson, cold and calculating, uses the child as leverage to control Ariel, knowing it is her greatest vulnerability. He forces her to prepare to leave for Durosaro the next night, demonstrating his ruthless nature. Ariel, overwhelmed and uncertain about Jayson’s fate, feels trapped by Samson’s manipulation but quietly resolves to remain strong and hopeful that Jayson is still alive.

Though confined, Ariel seizes a moment of opportunity when a maid informs her she may leave her room, discovering the door unlocked. She steps out cautiously, determined to find a way to escape Samson’s grip. Meanwhile, Samson remains focused on his plans, convinced that Ariel will be too fearful to act due to the uncertainty surrounding Jayson and their child.

In a tense development, Samson receives news from his subordinate that the baby is not at the medical facility in Nacsall as expected. Despite the facility’s advanced technology being crucial for the child’s survival, the baby is nowhere to be found. This revelation shocks and frustrates Samson, casting doubt on his control over the situation and deepening the mystery surrounding the child’s whereabouts.

Chapter 809

Samson discovering that their child existed was the last thing Ariel had anticipated. The news struck her deeply, stirring a painful ache in her heart that seemed almost unbearable. As a mother, even though she had never held her baby in her arms, the mere thought of the child being in harm’s way filled her with overwhelming fear and helplessness.

This baby was everything to her—the only child she had ever conceived before losing the chance to have children forever. The significance of this child went beyond words; it was a symbol of hope, love, and a future she desperately clung to. Ariel knew she could never allow any harm to come to the baby, no matter the cost.

Samson’s method of confrontation was ruthless and calculated. He had deliberately targeted her most vulnerable point, striking exactly where she was weakest. Watching her reaction, he could see clearly how deeply she cared—not only for the child but also for Jayson’s safety, which still mattered greatly to her. This realization annoyed Samson more than he expected.

Normally, Samson would never chase after a woman who had already given her heart to someone else. Yet, Ariel was a different case entirely. His feelings for her had grown so intense that he was willing to overlook the fact that her love belonged to another man.

Rising from his chair, Samson said coldly, “I’m glad you’ve come to your senses. We leave for Durosaro tomorrow night. Pack your things and be ready.” He adjusted his rumpled collar—creased from when Ariel had grabbed him earlier—and then turned sharply, exiting the room without waiting for a response.

Ariel didn’t dare look back at him. Instead, she fixed her gaze out the window, her mind swirling with turmoil. Her head throbbed painfully from the mounting pressure of everything unfolding around her. She still didn’t know whether Jayson was alive or dead. She had never planned to sit idly by, waiting for someone else to rescue her, but Samson’s cruel leverage—using their child as a bargaining chip—had left her trapped.

Taking a deep, steadying breath, Ariel forced herself to calm the storm raging inside her. All she could do was pray silently—over and over again—that Jayson was safe somewhere out there. After everything they had endured together, the thought of losing him now, or of their story ending in such a tragic way, was unbearable.

Once the initial shock began to fade, Ariel retrieved the phone she had hidden away and tried desperately to find a stable signal. But before she could do much, the sound of approaching footsteps made her quickly slip the phone beneath a pillow.

It was nearly noon when a maid entered, carrying a tray with her lunch. Ariel didn’t even glance at the food; her appetite had vanished, and she had no desire to speak. The maid, fluent in Merinian, said softly, “Mr. Pryce asked me to tell you that you may leave your room and walk around the house if you wish.”

Ariel remained silent, not offering any reply.

The maid placed the tray down quietly and left the room.

Ariel knew she needed to find a way to escape—and fast.

After a moment of careful thought, she rose and walked toward the door. True to the maid’s words, the door was unlocked.

A flicker of contempt flashed across Ariel’s eyes. Samson had clearly underestimated her, believing that by threatening her child, he had complete control over her.

She opened the door and stepped out cautiously, unaware that the phone hidden beneath the pillow blinked twice as she left the room.

Upstairs, Samson was absorbed in reviewing documents. Regardless of whether he heard from Jayson the following day, he had already made up his mind to take Ariel away from Bellador.

He had successfully deceived both Ariel and Jayson. With uncertainty looming over Jayson’s fate, Ariel would be hesitant to make any rash moves. She couldn’t rely on someone else to come to her rescue, especially when her own child was being held hostage.

Meanwhile, Jayson was likely overwhelmed, juggling multiple crises while worrying desperately about Ariel and their unborn baby.

But unfortunately for him, all his efforts would be in vain.

Just as Samson was about to head downstairs to check if Ariel had eaten, his phone rang. Glancing at the caller ID, he saw it was the subordinate he had sent to Nacsall to investigate the child’s whereabouts. He answered with a blank expression.

The voice on the other end was tense. “Mr. Pryce, I have bad news.”

“What is it?” Samson asked sharply.

“We searched the entire facility, but we couldn’t locate the baby Jayson Larkin supposedly left at the medical institution. There are only two infants here—one from Nacsall and one from Carns. Neither is of Croinian descent.”

Samson’s face darkened, his features tightening. “Are you certain? You’ve been in Nacsall for some time now. How is it possible that the child hasn’t been found?”

“The medical institution has a powerful and mysterious backer, which complicated our investigation. But I can confirm now—Jayson Larkin’s child is not here.”

Samson’s expression grew even harder. “The facility’s unique technology is essential to keep that child alive. The baby cannot survive outside of it. And yet you’re telling me the child isn’t there?” His voice was low, edged with disbelief and anger.

The chapter closes on a poignant note of tension and uncertainty, with Ariel caught in a web of fear and determination. Her maternal love and fierce protectiveness for her unborn child shine through her turmoil, revealing the depth of her strength despite the overwhelming circumstances. The emotional weight of her predicament—balancing hope for Jayson’s safety and the desperate need to protect their child—underscores the chapter’s themes of sacrifice, resilience, and the unbreakable bonds of family.

Meanwhile, Samson’s cold calculation and the unsettling news about the missing child amplify the stakes, casting a shadow of doubt over the future. The unresolved fate of the baby and the looming threats surrounding Ariel and Jayson create a gripping tension that leaves the reader yearning for resolution. Yet, amidst the darkness, Ariel’s quiet defiance hints at a flicker of hope, suggesting that even in the face of despair, courage and love may yet prevail.

The next chapter promises to delve deeper into the tense and precarious situation surrounding Ariel, Samson, and Jayson. Ariel’s quiet defiance and her desperate hope for Jayson’s safety will be tested as she navigates the fragile freedom Samson has granted her, all while grappling with the looming threat to her unborn child. Her emotional turmoil and determination to protect her baby will likely intensify, setting the stage for moments of vulnerability and strength.

Meanwhile, Samson’s frustration and disbelief over the missing child will add another layer of complexity to the unfolding drama. His calculated plans are unraveling, and his reaction to this unexpected development could lead to heightened conflict and unpredictable decisions. As Jayson’s fate remains uncertain, the stakes grow ever higher, promising a chapter filled with suspense, emotional tension, and the potential for surprising twists that will keep readers eagerly turning the pages.