The Heiress's Comeback

Chapter 202: [ Volume 1] Chaper 202- Something wrong.

As much as her instincts screamed at her to act quickly, she forced herself to think. Was this a threat? A warning? Her mind raced with questions, but there was no time to dwell on them. Her next steps had to be calculated.

With a sharp motion, Esme reached for the small brass bell perched on her desk, tapping it firmly. Its high-pitched ring pierced through the stillness of the room. Within moments, the door swung open, and Helga, her ever-efficient secretary, appeared, her heels clicking softly against the marble floor.

"You called, ma’am?" Helga asked, her professional demeanor never wavering, though she sensed the tension radiating from Esme.

"Yes," Esme nodded, her voice tight but controlled. She grabbed her phone and held it out to Helga. "I need you to trace this number immediately. Find out who sent this message and where it came from." Her eyes narrowed, voice dropping. "And I want results fast."

Helga’s eyes darted to the screen for a brief moment, her own brow furrowing slightly as she saw the message. Without another word, she took the phone and nodded. "Right away, ma’am." She left the room with purpose, her heels echoing down the hallway.

Esme watched her go, her mind spiraling back to the message. Her gut told her this was no prank, but she still clung to a faint hope that it might be just that. Maybe someone was playing an elaborate joke on her. But why now? And why those words? She shook her head, trying to clear her thoughts, but the nagging sense of dread wouldn’t leave her.

She grabbed her phone again, her fingers moving almost on autopilot as she scrolled through her contacts. She found Jay’s number and hit dial, her heart picking up its pace as she waited for him to answer.

Two rings later, his familiar voice came through. "Hello?"

"Where are you?" Esme asked, her voice sharper than she intended.

There was a pause on the other end. "Uh, I’m at home," Jay replied, sounding confused. "Why? What’s going on?"

Esme leaned back in her chair, biting the inside of her cheek. "Who’s with you? Is there anyone new in the house?"

Jay’s confusion deepened, and she could almost hear him frowning. "No, it’s just Aron and the bodyguards. Why? Esme, you’re freaking me out a little. What’s this about?"

Esme exhaled slowly, trying to calm the frantic beating of her heart. She knew she couldn’t panic him with just a text message, no matter how eerie it felt. If she was wrong, she’d be alarming everyone for nothing.

"Just stay inside the house," she said, forcing her voice to remain steady. "Don’t go outside unless you absolutely have to. And if you do, make sure the bodyguards are with you."

"Esme, what is this about?" Jay pressed, the worry in his voice now evident. "Is there some kind of threat?"

She hesitated, knowing she couldn’t be too vague or he’d worry even more. "It’s probably nothing, just a precaution. But humor me, okay? Stay inside, and don’t take any chances."

After a long pause, Jay finally relented. "Alright, I’ll stay put. But you need to tell me what’s going on when you can."

"Will do," Esme muttered, before hanging up and immediately dialing Rayan’s number.

The phone rang twice before Rayan picked up, sounding slightly distracted. "Hello? What’s up?"

"Where are you right now?" Esme’s voice was demanding, the tension she’d been holding back now spilling over.

Rayan raised an eyebrow, though she couldn’t see him. "In my cabin at the hospital, why? Is something wrong?"

Esme’s mind raced as she tried to find the right words. "Are you alone? With anyone you don’t know?"

Rayan blinked, looking around his office at the patient sitting in front of him. "Esme, I’m a doctor. Of course, I’m with strangers. What’s going on? You’re being weird."

Esme clenched her jaw, rubbing her temple in frustration. She always forgot the little details in moments like these. "Just answer me. Are the bodyguards I sent with you?"

Rayan glanced at the corner of his office, where three bodyguards stood, silent and imposing. "Yeah, they’re here. Why are you asking me all this?"

"Good," she said, exhaling in relief. "Don’t leave the hospital without them. And when your shift is over, go straight home. Cancel any meetings. Jay’s home alone, and I don’t want anyone in the house unless they’re bodyguards."

"Wait, cancel my meetings?" Rayan’s voice grew incredulous. "Esme, you’re overreacting. What’s really going on here?"

"I’m not overreacting," she shot back, her voice growing more desperate by the second. "I can’t explain it right now, but something’s off. I just need you to trust me. Please."

There was a beat of silence, the weight of her words sinking in. Finally, Rayan sighed. "Alright, fine. I’ll head home as soon as I can. But you owe me an explanation."

Esme hung up the phone, her mind still churning, trying to piece together the scattered fragments of her worry.

Esme took a deep breath as she dialed Kai’s number, her fingers trembling slightly against the smooth glass of her phone. She hoped he would pick up. When his voice finally came through, she felt a rush of relief wash over her. "Esme! I’m still at the office," he said, his tone steady. At least he was safe, ensconced in the familiar surroundings of their workplace. That eased her mind a little.

After hanging up, she quickly turned her attention to Ray. Dialing his number, she listened as the phone rang endlessly. One ring... two... three... But no answer. She bit her lip, anxiety creeping in as she tried again. Four times, she thought, her heart sinking with each failed attempt.

Glancing at her watch, she felt a chill grip her stomach. Three hours had passed since Ray had said he would return in two. From what she knew about Ray, punctuality was his hallmark. If he said he would be back in two hours, he would do just that. He wasn’t someone to make such a mistake.