It was supposed to bring some peace to both him and Isabella.

Benjamin decided it was time to reach out to Andrew Lane.

When Andrew got the message, his team was still digging for answers. They'd just started to find some real leads. He glanced at his phone, spotting a number he

didn't recognize.

[Andrew Lane, it's been a while. Honestly, I've never seen you this desperate over a woman before.]

Andrew's eyes flickered.

[Benjamin Gomez.]

He shot the reply back, then handed his phone to the scarred man at his side, just like Tristan Davis had done earlier. "Trace the number. Now."

The guy didn't say a word. He just took the phone, plugged in a data cable, and handed it back without even looking up.

“Mr. Lane, keep him talking. The more messages he sends, the easier it'll be to nail down his IP."

"Understood." Andrew took the phone back.

A new message popped up.

[It's me. I've been keeping my distance these past few years, didn't dare see you. But now, we're finally sitting down, just the two of us. This is the last time, though.]

Andrew didn't bother with small talk.

[What do you want? What will it take for you to let her go?]

Unknown Number: [You care about Emily Blair that much?]

Andrew: [Isn't that what all of this is about?]

Benjamin bit down on his cigarette as he read the reply, letting out a low, harsh laugh. The irritation in his chest just got heavier. Smoke curled around his face his expression giving nothing away.

[Watching you act like this honestly pisses me off. Years ago, I handed Isabella over to you. Ask yourself,

Fnet

how have you treated her since

Were you ever truly good to her? You two were married for five years, and you always had someone else in your heart. You let Emily Blair walk right over Isabella, never stood up for her, never even tried to stop it. I thought leaving her with you would mean the'd have a good life. But look what happened. She ended up in prison. Did you ever even ask about her? Did you try to help? No. Not only did you ignore her, you actually helped Emily Blair bully her. Andrew Lane, how could you? I gave up everything for her, disappeared for years, because I believed you'd take care of her. Can you honestly say you've done right by me? Or by her?]

As he sent the message, Benjamin felt all his pent-up frustration spill out. His fingers itched with the urge

to do something. He yanked the n cigarette from his mouth pinched? the burning end between his thumb and finger until it hurt. The pain shot through him, making his anger burn even hotter.

He tossed the cigarette to the ground and stomped it out, grinding it beneath his

shoe.

A minute or two passed before Andrew replied.

[If that's what this is about, I can apologize to you.]

Benjamin's face went dark. He let out a cold, disbelieving laugh.

Was he seeing this right? The always arrogant Andrew Lane, actually apologizing over Emily Blair? The idea made him even more furious.

[So you really are that into Emily Blair?]

Andrew: [Just tell me what you want. What's it going to take for you to let her go?]

Benjamin snorted. Right then, a message from Tristan Davis landed in his inbox. It was a video.

He watched it quickly, thirty minutes of Tristan Davis kneeling on the ground. The sight made Benjamin feel a twisted sense of satisfaction.

Suddenly, an idea came to him. He switched back to his chat with Andrew and typed out a message.

[Then you get on your knees for half an hour. Send me a video.]

He hit send, feeling certain that Andrew Lane was more stubborn than Tristan Davis. There was no way he'd agree to something like that, not without a fight.