MR BILLIONAIRE'S REGRET: CHASING HIS IRRESISTIBLE WIFE
He will bring their son home.

(JARED'S POV)

Denzel Hernandez.

The name hit me like a punch to the gut. The last person I wanted to hear from, not when my world was already falling apart. My grip on the phone tightened as anger surged through me why the hell was he calling now?

"Look, I don't know how you got my number, but I don't have time for your silly games," I snapped, ready to press the "end call" button.

"Oh, don't hang up, Jared," Denzel's voice was as smooth as ever. "You'll want to hear what I have to say. Trust me on this."

"What the hell do you want?"

"Well you really should know. There's a kid with me, I think his name is...Maverick?"

My heart slammed against my ribs, the world narrowing to a single point. So it was him.

"You bastard! What have you done to him?" My voice was low and deadly, barely controlled. My grip on the phone threatened to crush it.

"Nothing," he said coolly. "At least not yet. There's a small mole on his left earlobe huh?"

"Denzel," I said, barely containing the venom in my words. "I didn't expect you to be this silly. You do realize this is blackmail, right? If you touch a single hair on his head, I will bring you, your company, and everything you've ever built to the ground. I promise you that." As I spoke, Oliver stepped in, a questioning look on his face, but I silently motioned for him to stay back. He knew what this was about.

"Follow this number," I muttered under my breath, knowing Oliver would understand. "Track him down, replace where he's hiding."

At the other end of the line, Denzel's mocking laughter echoed through the receiver. "Oops, now I'm really scared," he taunted. "Look at you, Jared-such a devoted father. But I've only got one thing to say to you: Shut the fuck up!"

I clenched my fist until my knuckles turned white.

"This is business, Jared," Denzel continued, his tone dripping with fake sympathy. "We both know that sometimes, extreme measures are necessary. I'm not a criminal, but you need to understand something: If you don't cooperate, you'll lose everything. Everything. I'm just making it clear. You can't make threats to me, Jared... or your son will be the one to pay the price."

I swallowed hard, my heart hammering against my chest. What kind of psycho kidnaps an innocent child to get to his father? What kind of monster does that?

"What do you want?" My voice was barely above a whisper, laced with dread as I shut my eyes, the thought of Maverick, scared and alone, gnawing at me. I wanted to be anywhere but here, but I had no choice. I had to play his game.

"Simple, you're going to sign over your stake in the company to me in 48 hours. And you'll do it at a price lower than market value. Second, you'll stop your investment in the LA project. No more funding. You'll back off."

I scoffed, bitterness rising in my throat. This wasn't the first time he'd tried to seize control of my company. All his previous schemes had failed, so now he resorted to this.

Coward.

But I didn't say the word aloud. He had the life of my son in his hands so I had to thread carefully.

"Why would I want to do that?" I asked calmly instead.

"Because, if you don't, I can guarantee you, that little three-year-old boy won't see tomorrow. I guess you're wondering how I know so much about him? I've spent some quality time with him. He's adorable, Jared. I'm actually enjoying having him around. I'm rubbing his little cheeks as we speak. It's a shame, though... because I'm sure you'd hate to think what might happen to him if you don't come to your senses."

Rage and terror exploded inside me. My pulse pounded in my ears as Oliver walked back, his face pale and anxious. I could tell he'd gathered some leads. Swift, precise. I gave him a silent nod.

I had no time to waste.

"Fine, I'll do it. I'll sign over the shares. Just don't hurt him."

"Good. Meet me at the abandoned warehouse on 5th and main. Come alone, and with the documents."

"And Maverick?"

"He'll be waiting for you. Unharmed...for now."

"Don't hurt him," I warned.

"Don't involve the cops." he spat, before abruptly hanging up.

The line went dead.

Oliver stepped forward, his voice

tense. "Sir, I tracked the number. I've I got the location. The warehouse isn't far from here. And...

Hernandez's investment group just had a shareholder's meeting tast month. They're planning to vote Denzel as CEO."

This was the last thing I needed. No wonder I hadn't heard any more

about his attempts to sabotage my company in such a long time. Denzel'd lost all sense of reason in his pursuit of power. He'd been lying low for too long, and now he was making his move in the worst way possible.

Oliver continued, "It makes sense now, why he would kidnap Maverick... to force you into submission-"

His voice was cut off by the opening door.

Arielle stood there, her expression unreadable. Her eyes were wide, and her face was still pale, but there was no hiding the hurt and anger in her gaze.

I sighed and walked into the room. Arielle didn't move.

"So, my son got kidnapped because of you?" Her voice was quiet, but there was a sharp edge to her words. "Because somehow, he just knew Maverick was your son? Look at what you've done, famous Jared Smith."

Her words hit me like a slap. The guilt weighed heavily on my chest, suffocating me. I never expected her to be angry at me, not now. But I couldn't blame her. My words all choked in my throat.

I had no idea. How the hell had Denzel suddenly gotten to Maverick and how the hell did he know he was my son, unless of course he has been keeping a tab on me?

I tried to process everything, but Arielle's voice broke through my thoughts. She was on the phone now, speaking urgently.

"Yes, finally... You're answering. I need money... yes, Maverick... please, just send it-"

Her words blurred together, and panic surged in my chest. What was she doing?

When she hung up, her eyes locked with mine. "What's the problem?"

"Are you borrowing money?" I asked, my voice tight with confusion and a growing sense of dread. "From who? For what?"

"Isn't it obvious?" She didn't even flinch. "Should I hope you'll really go through with signing the shares over to save him? J&S is your family's company. You've put your life into it. Jared, I'm not a fool. I know what matters most to you-" "You don't know a damn thing," I cut her off, my voice cold. I stood up, fury rushing through me like wildfire. "Stop talking nonsense."

"Oliver!" I barked.

He jumped to attention. "Yes, sir?"

This was a bad decision. This must be.

"Inform the legal and PR

departments, Let them prepare for

V

In

the handover. There's a safe in my office with the key documents-have Iris unlock it. Give you the authorization. Bring it to me. And make sure we've got everything ready by the time Denzel expects it. If you haven't heard from me in 12

hours just contact the police."

"And now," I took a deep breath then exhaled.

"Sell out our share."

For a moment, Oliver's face registered shock, but he quickly composed himself and got to work.

I turned back to Arielle, my eyes hardening. "This is a trap. But if this is what it takes to save Maverick, I'll do it. I've already lost one child. I'm not losing another."

Not when I had what it took to save him.

"I will bring our son home." I said, word by word.

Arielle stood frozen, tears streaming down her face.