Female Novel
Chapter 362
Hearing this, Teo's stride faltered, a momentary hitch in his otherwise confident gait. "Do you thinkI'm a notorious womanizer, too?" Teo furrowed his brows, concern etching his face.
"Isn't that the truth? You and Leonora fight all the time. Isn't it usually about this very thing?"
Teo exhaled deeply, his breath laden with unspoken troubles. "The reason Leonora and I argue…it's because ever since the kidnapping incident, I haven't been with her."
"Why not? Have you found someone else?" Ian asked, his curiosity piqued.
"No, it's because I've lost my ability to perform as a man. I've seen countless doctors andundergone endless tests, and all reports come back stating I'm perfectly healthy. Yet nothing works.
“I thought maybe my interest in Leonora had waned, so I sought company elsewhere but soonrealized I had no interest in any of them.
“Everyone assumes I'm out there playing the field, but the truth is I haven't touched anyone.Instead, I feel a deep repulsion. My therapist says it's a psychological issue, but years of treatmenthave done little. I've given up hope."
This was the first time Ian truly confronted the reality of his father's struggles. He had grown up withthe belief that his parents' quarrels stemmed from his father's infidelities. It was this belief that hadmade his family so forgiving toward Leonora all these years. Even Grandma Rose had thought herson had mistreated Leonora.
However, the truth was far different than Ian had imagined.
Just then, Ian's phone buzzed to life. Seeing Edwin's number, he immediately hit 'answer.' "Eddie,what's the situation?" Ian asked urgently.
Ian could hear the panic in Edwin's voice. "Ian, get back here now! The suspect's been cornered,but he's taken Clara hostage on the hotel rooftop. He's given you ten minutes to show up, or he'sthreatening to jump with her."
Ian's heart seemed to stop, his blood turning to ice for a split second before he sprang into action."Put him on the phone. I need to talk to him," Ian commanded as he dashed out, his phone in hand.He floored the accelerator of his black Rolls-Royce Cullinan, which tore through the night like a boltof lightning.
After several tense seconds, a chilling, sinister laugh came through the phone. "Ian, you've got tenminutes. Any later, and you'll be collecting pieces of your woman."
The sounds of Clara's struggle were audible in the background, and Ian gripped the steering wheeltighter, forcing himself to remain calm. "Don't lay a finger on her. Whatever you want, I'll agree to it,"he said through gritted teeth.
The man laughed heartily. "What if I want to trade her for Hayes Corporation? Would you agree tothat?"novelbin
Without hesitation, Ian replied, "Yes, I would agree, but you must ensure her safety."
The man's scoff was cold. "I never thought the ruthless CEO of Hayes Corporation, who's known forhis cold indifference, would hand over his empire for a woman. Fine, bring me the shares transferpaperwork. No delays."
Then, the call ended.
The man, holding a knife, gently traced Clara's pale face, his voice a dark murmur. "No wonder Ian'swilling to trade the empire built by the Hayes family for you. Your face is quite charming. What do
you think, if I were to slice it up, would he lose his mind?" He mocked, mimicking a slashing motionacross Clara's cheek.
Edwin, standing nearby, spoke up with a chilling steadiness, "If you so much as touch a hair on herhead, I swear I'll tear you apart limb by limb."