Divorce Me Before Death Takes Me, CEO

Chapter 408

Rachel's POV

| snatched the phone from Mom's hand, my fingers trembling slightly as news alerts flooded the screen. Every

major outlet was running with the sheadline: violence at Parker Group's underground garage.

Social media was blowing up with theories. Sclaimed the dead were kidnappers, others insisted it must be a

Parker executive. Police at the scene were tight-lipped, giving reporters the standard “ongoing investigation”

line.

What caught my eye were the comments flooding in below the live videos:

“If it wasn’t someone important, why would police and Parker Group hide the identity?”

“Twenty minutes without a statement from Parker PR? Has to be Blake.”

“Parker Group's communications team responds to everything within minutes. The silence speaks volumes.”

“Sources confirm Blake Parker at Mayo Clinic, fighting for his life!”

My stomach twisted as | stared at the screen. When | rushed downstairs to confront her, all | could think about

was Blake. My future husband. The man I'd secretly wanted for years. Of course | was worried about him.

But after hearing Mom casually admit she’d planned to kill him, my perspective shifted tically.

Part of- a cold, calculating part | barely recognized - actually hoped Blake was dead.

Not because I'd stopped caring for him. Not because | truly wanted him gone.

But because | had nowhere to run if Blake survived.

He'd wake up. He'd investigate. He'd discover I'd arranged Emma’s kidnapping, that Mom had hired people to

kill him. And Blake Parker wasn’t known for

mercy.

This was the man who'd shipped his own sister and cousin overseas to brutal boarding schools just for bullying

Audrey. What would he do toand my family when he discovered we'd nearly killed him?

But if he died...

Marriage license already filed. Half his fortune would be mine by law. I'd control Parker Group through a grief-

stricken Rebecca and Thalia. The thought made my heart race.

“Mom, | finally said, breaking the silence. “When | called Blake earlier, Evelyn answered. Said he was

unconscious, being rushed to the hospital.”

| met her eyes. “But | couldn't actually see him. | don’t know if he’s really injured and heading to the hospital, or

if he’s already gone and they're just covering it up.”

‘Did your people contact you after it happened? Tell you who actually died?”

Mom snapped her compact mirror shut with a sharp click. “I specifically told them not to reach out afterward. If

Blake died, police would immediately check phone records.”

She reached for her phone. “Should I call them now to find out?”

“No,” | said quickly. “You were right about the records. Contacting them now would just create evidence linking

you to whatever happened.”

| scrolled through my contacts and found my connection at Mayo Clinic. Taking a deep breath, | pressed call.

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Chapter 408

“Miss Hayes?’

‘Has Blake Parker been admitted there?”

“Mr. Parker? Why would he be here? Is he ill?”

| pressed, “Wasn't an ambulance just brought in from Parker Tower?”

‘One moment.” | heard typing. “Yes, Miss Hayes, an ambulance arrived about three minutes ago from Parker

headquarters.”

| held my breath.

“But there was only a security guard with an arm injury and a woman accompanying him. No Blake Parker.

*The woman who is she?’ | asked.

Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇt

“I believe the guard called her Mrs. Knox.”

“Could you senda photo?”

The image showed a black-suited bodyguard with a bandaged arm sitting on an exam table. Beside him stood a

woman in a beige dress checking his wound. Her face was tear-stained, eyes red-rimmed.

But what caught my attention was Blake’s custom diamond-encrusted phone peeking from her pocket.

Everything clicked into place, and relief flooded through me.

If Blake were fine, his phone wouldn't be in her possession.

If Blake and Emma were alive, Evelyn would be with them, not tending to srandom bodyguard.

Blake and the child must be dead, their bodies secured by police, leaving Evelyn with nothing but Blake's phone.

| almost laughed out loud. This was perfect. Absolutely perfect.

If Blake was truly gone, | wouldn't just escape his vengeance - I'd inherit his vast fortune. Blake had built Parker

Group into something extraordinary after his father’s death. His personal wealth dwarfed even William Parker's

considerable estate.

*Thank you, Doctor,’ | said smoothly, ending the call.

| settled next to Mom, a small smile playing at my lips. “Mother, can | borrow sof your makeup? | need to

look my best for the cameras today.”

Audrey's POV

“You really don’t need to babysit me,” Jett muttered as | adjusted the bandage on his arm. ‘Your kid's been

through hell today. You should be with her.”

| gave him a tired smile. ‘Emma’s fine. What matters now is Blake's safety.”

| secured the bandage, keeping my voice low. “Besides, I'm no doctor. | can’t help with his treatment. Might as

well stay here with you and put on a little show for certain greedy individuals.”

Jett raised an eyebrow, understanding dawning on his face. He gave a slight nod.

The plan had ctogether right after Rachel's call. The ambulance had automatically headed for Mayo Clinic,

where Rachel's family had significant influence. Her uncle owned a substantial stake in the facility.

Taking Blake and Emma there would be like walking them straight into a trap.

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Chapter 408

So I'd made a split-second decision. | ordered the ambulance to pull over several blocks from the hospital. Adrian

and Astrid quickly arranged for Blake to be transferred to another vehicle - one that would take him to Felix

Thompson's private residence.

Not ideal, but it was the best option we had. Blake's condition was critical, but stable enough for the short

transport, according to the paramedics.

According to Jett, when the kidnappers recognized Blake, they'd offered him a deal: himself in exchange for

Emma's safety. He hadn't even hesitated.

And then, when they decided to kill them both anyway, Blake had used his body to shield Emma from their

attack, taking multiple stab wounds that had been meant for her.

| never would have believed Blake capable of such selflessness. The arrogant, cold-hearted CEO I'd known during

our marriage wouldn't have risked a papercut for someone else.

Yet here we were.

By now, Blake should be at Felix’s Chapter 409

Felix’s POV

| couldn’t stop pacing along the stone path outside my family’s mansion. The cool evening air did nothing to

calm my nerves as | checked my watch for the hundredth time.

“Should be here any minute,” | muttered to myself.

Behind me, two trauma surgeons my grandfather Harrison had trained years ago whispered among themselves.

Id basically kidnapped them from JFK Airport the moment they landed for their conference.

“Mr. Thompson,” one called out, “maybe we should reconsider a hospital? It's been nearly thirty minutes.”

“They're coming,” | said, trying to sound more confident than | felt. ‘Blake needs absolute privacy. This is the

safest place for him right now.”

When Audrey called earlier, I'd never heard her sound so scared. Blake injured, Adrian Knox's kid kidnapped -

didn’t have all the details, but | knew it was bad. My stomach twisted at the thought of what Id find when they

arrived.

Headlights finally appeared down the long driveway. A black SUV with tinted windows sped toward us, skidding

to a stop just feet away.

The passenger door flew open first. Adrian Knox jumped out, cradling a small sleeping girl in his arms Emma. The

rear doors opened next, with Astrid, Ethan and James struggling to extract a stretcher.

“Holy shit, | breathed when I finally saw Blake.

He looked like death warmed over. Blood-soaked shirt ripped open, skin ghostly pale, bandages already turning

red again. I'd never seen Blake like this.

“What the hell happened?” | asked, stunned. “How'd he get this messed up?”

Adrian shifted Emma in his arms. “Long story. Let's save his life first, then talk.”

The doctors rushed forward, immediately checking Blake's vitals and wounds.

Adrian's eyes swept the property suspiciously. “You sure this place is secure?”

| snapped. “This is my grandfather's estate. If we're not safe here, nowhere in New York is.”

The doctors exchanged worried looks after examining Blake.

Well?” | pressed. “Can you help him?”

‘He's lost too much blood,” one said grimly. “We need to get him inside now for treatment.”

“There's more,” the other added. “He'll need a transfusion. Does anyone know his blood type?”

| raked my fingers through my hair. “He’s AB positive. Nobody in my family has that type. If we contact a hospital

blood bank, someone might connect the dots about Blake being here. People know we're tight.”

“Without that transfusion, | can’t guarantee we can save him,” the doctor said bluntly. “He’s already lost too

much.”

Just then, a small voice piped up from Adrian's arms.

I'm AB blood...”

Emma’s eyes fluttered open, her gaze finding Blake on the stretcher.

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Chapter 409

Uncle Blake saved me,” she mumbled sleepily. “I didn’t get hurt at all... | can give him my blood...

Adrian's face hardened. ‘Emma! You're just a kid. No way.”

His voice softened as he stroked her hair. ‘Blood donations are for adults, baby. Not something kids need to worry

about.”

Emma's lip quivered. “But he saved me! Daddy, you don’t get it. | was so scared when those men took me. |

never thought Uncle Blake would be the one to cfor me.”

Her tiny fingers clutched Adrian’s shirt. “The bad men said they'd letgo if he stayed instead. He didn’t even

think about it - he just said yes.”

‘When they were switching us, they decided to kill us both anyway. Uncle Blake wrapped himself around me...”

She wiped her eyes. “I was in this smelly bag. Couldn't see, but | heard everything... the knives cutting him... his

blood dripping. That awful smell... He did everything to keepsafe.”

Emma looked up at the doctor. “Uncle Blake nearly died because of me. He needs AB blood. | want to help.

What's wrong with that?”

“Doctor, can’t | give blood?” she demanded. “Is it because I'm small? Is my blood bad or something?”

The younger doctor shifted uncomfortably. “Well... technically it’s possible. We just don’t usually recommend

children-"

So | can! Emma cut him off.

Adrian refused, “Not happening. I'm your father, and | say no. Period.”

Emma's eyes welled up with fresh tears. “But he needs help now! We can’t be selfish! He saved my life, and

giving blood won't kill me...”

“If something happens to him, I'll be sad. Mommy will be sad too. You always say Emma and Mommy are your

only family. Do you want us both upset?”

Ethan stepped forward. “Mr. Knox, maybe we could-"

“Drop it,” Adrian cut him off. “My daughter isn’t donating blood to Blake Parker.”

He carefully handed Emma to Ethan. “Watch her.”

Then Adrian walked to the doctor and rolled up his sleeve.

‘My family has more than one AB positive,” he said flatly. “I'm AB too.”

The doctors’ eyes widened.

“That's fantastic, Mr. Knox!” one exclaimed. ‘With your donation, we can start treatment immediately.”

We finally brought Blake inside the mansion. James and | helped carry the stretcher through the grand foyer with

the others following behind.

We'd barely made it halfway across the entrance when a sharp voice called down from the staircase.

“What in God’s nhappened here?”

My grandfather Sebastian Thompson stood on the landing, leaning on his cane, his sharp eyes immediately

zeroing in on Blake's bloody form.

‘Grandfather Sebastian,” | nodded. ‘Blake’s hurt. These doctors are going to help him.”

Sebastian studied Blake with his clinical gaze, then let out a cold laugh.

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Chapter 409

“Again for that woman?” he asked mockingly.

| winced. My grandfather never sugarcoated anything, but his timing was awful.

“A month ago, he almost died and ended up with useless legs,” Sebastian continued. “And now what? Planning

another coma?”

| cut in. ‘Blake was protecting Emma, that little girl. This isn’t about - ”

‘Don’t bullshit me,” Sebastian interrupted. “Isn’t that child that woman’s daughter? So I'm right he did this for

her.”

My grandfather shook his head disgustedly. “Pathetic! Constantly getting hurt for her, yet too chickenshit to

actually fight for her!”

He turned to leave. “Hurry up and fix him so | can tell that old fossil his grandson’s still breathing. Damn fool's

practically in the grave himself, and now his grandson gets stabbed...”

As he disappeared upstairs, | gave an awkward smile to everyone. “My grandfather has... strong opinions.”

Astrid’s POV

“Your grandfather's got a point,” | said coldly as we moved Blake toward the guest room. “Blake Parker is pretty

damn pathetic.”

| couldn’t stop thinking about Audrey as we walked through the fancy hallways. A month ago, Blake ghosted her

completely. | figured he couldn't handle seeing her face - too painful a reminder of the woman he’d supposedly

lost.

Now | knew better. Blake becdisabled protecting Audrey on Long Island. He cut contact not because he

couldn't bear to see her, but because he didn’t want her feeling guilty about his legs.

He probably thought he was being so noble. Sgrand sacrifice. But what good was all this hero bullshit if he

couldn't even grow a pair and fight for Audrey?

Coward!

DivorceBefore Death Takes Me, CEO

Blake's phone weighed heavy in my pocket. Jett had handed it toin the ambulance, saying Blake had

unlocked it and given specific instructions forto have it if anything happened.

| closed my eyes, and immediately Blake's face appeared in my mind - lying on that stretcher, his skin ghostly

pale, completely drained of color.

My heart clenched painfully in my chest. | truly hadn't expected this... hadn't expected Blake would put himself

in harm's way to protect Emma, would allow himself to be injured so severely.

DivorceBefore veall Farca ime, wi