“Emerald? You okay there? Are you hurt?” he asked. “Don’t worry, we’ve got you. You’re safe now.”

When I didn’t say anything, he shook my shoulder.

“Emerald? You hear me? You all right?”

My eyes snapped up to him, finally realizing my surroundings. Five men stood behind him. They saved me…

Ace?

Panic washed over me as I remembered what Arthur’s plan was.

With my breath caught in my throat, I grabbed my phone and jumped to my feet, swaying a little afterward. Duncan tried to hold me, but I was in too much rush to wait.

The only thing ran through my mind was reaching Ace.

Tears blurred my vision as I ran.

“Emerald, wait! Where are you going?”

Ignoring him, I rushed to the floor the conference room was on. The guards weren’t there anymore. Even the lights were off.

I shook my head. No, God, please. Please don’t let him leave yet.

Getting in the elevator, I hurried down to the ground floor. People threw glances at my disarranged state. But I didn’t care. I needed to find him. My Ace.

Scanning the lobby, I didn’t find him anywhere. I wiped my cheeks and dialed his number again. But again, it went directly to the voicemail.

Damn it!

I pulled at my hair, not knowing what to do. My knees were still wobbly, and my heart still raced from almost facing death.

“Ms. Hutton?”

I turned around. Carter rushed towards me, limping, with an equally disheveled state as me.

“Carter! Where the hell were you? I called you so many times! Where is your phone?” I snapped, walking closer to him. “I told you to stop Ace. Why the hell didn’t you tell him anything? He fucking signed the contract!”

I didn’t know what I was saying. I only felt desperation and fear. The only thing on my mind was keeping him safe.

“Ms. Hutton, I’m sorry. I don’t know why, but after you left, those guards grabbed me, took my phone and locked me in a room,” he said, eyes wide in shock. “I tried to fight them, but they were too strong. By the time a hotel staff heard me and let me out, I was too late. The meeting was already over, and everyone left.”

Nothing he said reached me, as all I could hear were the last two words he said.

My stomach dropped. Blood drained from my face.

Everyone left?

“W-where is Ace?” I asked. “He didn’t leave, did he? He—”

“He also left, Ms. Hutton. The manager told me the boss and Mr. Balakin left in his car.”

I stumbled back. My blood ran cold as I gasped.

Tears blurred my vision as I shook my head. I felt everything crashing down on me. I couldn’t breathe.