Forced Marriage: My Wife, My Redemption-Chapter 288: In two days...

After ending the call, Elliot rose from his chair, pacing the length of his study with measured steps.

Despite having instructed Jessica to "work up something" from her end and putting additional security in place, he couldn’t shake the gnawing unease building inside him.

His instinct continuously pricked him "There is something off—something beneath the surface he hadn’t yet uncovered."

His gut whispered of secrets buried too deep, of truths twisted and locked away in silence and this truth he had to uncover.

Returning to his desk, he sat down slowly, opened his laptop, and began typing methodically.

Within moments, a flood of classified data on the Allen family flashed across the screen. His gaze sharpened as each line added weight to his suspicions.

*Allen family’s economic dominance rises by 70%, topping the Country Y’s business rankings.

*Expansion into beauty and tech industries announced.

*Allen family rumored to hold a secret prototype codenamed Solacum1

*Development of an energy accumulation and sustainable system in progress, it’s origin and parent registered by Alex Allen.

*Level 3 prototype testing reportedly completed successfully.

*The National Council expresses interest in securing rights to the tech.

*Council dispatches a liaison to initiate negotiations.

*Alex Allen insists on patent rights.

*Testing paused after a lab explosion killed a couple—survived only by their son.

*Prototype manual mysteriously lost.

*Alex Allen and wife died due to an accident.

Elliot’s fingers hovered over the keyboard, then slowly curled into fists. Each detail sank into him like a dagger. The deeper he went, the clearer the picture became and yet, the more questions formed.

Why had Desmond, of all people, sought out the Night Merchant, a known manipulator of underground intelligence and wartime tech trafficking? What was he after?

Elliot had always turned a blind eye and maintained a clear distance from the Allen family unconsciously. It was never his concern and they had never crossed paths before.

But now with Davis in the picture as his grandson tangled within that very family, he has every reason to probe further and this he must do.

His eyes remained fixed on the screen, jaw tightening as thoughts churned through his mind.

"Did Davis know about this?" he muttered, leaning closer to the glow of the laptop. "Has he ever uncovered the truth about his mother’s accident?"

He remembered his daughter Siri—bright, stubborn, and secretive. For a good number of years, he had been unable to trace her yet she had insisted that her son take her maiden name— Raven in the face of danger.

"It felt odd, really odd."

"Was she hiding something from people around... or protecting something?"

Elliot’s thoughts raced as he carefully analyzed the report digging deeper and deeper.

The incident and report of that year claimed her life, along with her husband’s, was ruled an accident.

But the classified notes gave him another picture he couldn’t believe due to the series of events preceding the unfortunate event.

"Siri’s death wasn’t just fate," he whispered. "It was orchestrated."

A cold determination settled over him.

"I have to find out what happened. The details of that year’s event must come to light, and everyone involved in the matter must be exposed."

Picking up his phone again, he dialed a secure number. As the line connected, his voice was razor-sharp.

"I need a full document on Desmond Allen. Every move, every connection, both past and present. Leave nothing out. The more detail, the better."

The call ended. He shut the laptop with care and rose from the chair. He walked slowly to the door, pausing only to take in the quiet of the room.

The door clicked shut behind him as he made his way to his bedroom.

~Davis Home~

After taking the call, Jessica groaned softly, pressing her fingers against her throbbing temple in an attempt to ease the lingering tension in her head, her brows furrowed.

She hadn’t slept well, and the sudden phone call in the middle of the night had only worsened things.

She stared at the screen in her hand, tempted to hurl the phone across the room.

Taking a deep breath she slumped back into bed. The report echoing in her head. The sense of peace she had hoped to find tonight had shattered.

She glared at the phone in her hand, a sigh escaping her lips.

"Is it now difficult to even have a peaceful sleep after a stressful day?" She murmured noting how impossible it might be for her to go back to sleep if there is no intervention.

Glancing at the clock on the screen, she sighed. It’s just a few hours to daylight.

Desmond stirred beside her, his hand brushing over her arm. "What’s wrong?" he asked groggily, pulling her close.

"Seems your uncle is already making his move," she murmured, frustration creeping into her voice.

"Who called?"

She waved her phone. "Elliot."

Davis frowned and slowly sat up. "What did he say?" his voice croaked.

She sighed, leaning against his chest.

"Elliot never says much and doesn’t give details,"she muttered. He just gives you the rope and expects you to climb. Or hang."

Davis chuckled softly as her voice continued "His way of giving orders is like navigating a minefield with blindfolds. He lets you figure it out."

Davis patted her arm lightly "Alright, don’t be angry. You have worked with him for a long time and I believe you already had a hang of it." He smirked.

He noted that when he visited them some months back and she wasn’t exaggerating. That was Elliot’s way—cryptic, commanding, and merciless in his expectations.

Jessica had grown under that system. She had learned to read between silences, to anticipate three steps ahead. It was what made her the sharp strategist she now was.

"Don’t overthink it," he said softly. "What will come will come, besides it is already in expectation." Davis said, brushing her hair back.

"I know, but what worries me is the person or people he might be involved with. And for Elliot to be the one who passed on the information, it likely happened within his territory," she elaborated.

Davis patted her back tenderly "You fought the hardest part of my battles already," Desmond murmured, his voice tinged with gratefulness.

Jessica raised her eyes to his. "Are you sure you can handle this? Besides, it’s not exactly clear what he’s planning."

"I have to handle it, I can’t always let him win especially when he is in quest of my life," he replied.

"And your fashion week is in two days. That should be your focus at the moment."

Jessica sighed in helplessness. She decided to keep her fingers crossed and wait to see how things would unfold before making her decision.

"Can you go back to sleep now?" He asked.

He kissed her forehead and gently patted her back. Her body slowly relaxed against his, and within minutes, her breathing evened out.

He waited.

Once sure she was asleep, Davis carefully reached for her phone, toggled on Do Not Disturb, and set it aside. The doctor had made it clear—no stress.

He would have preferred keeping her in the dark about these situations at least for the next few days but with her skill, he is sure she will be the first to know..

He stared at her for a while, memorizing the serenity in her face, before retracting his gaze, falling into a deep thought.

"If Elliot’s should be anxious to call Jessica at this time, then definitely Desmond is plotting something big," he mused.

A moment later, he made a quiet decision. "Grandfather leaves the hospital today."

He would bring the old man home. Not just for protection—but peace of mind. At least there, he could ensure safety and continuous care, especially with Jessica being a medical professional.

Jessica stirred awake by midmorning. The bed beside her was cold—a clear indication that Davis was long gone.

She stretched and yawned, piecing together the fragments of the previous night. She reached for her phone and frowned lightly. "On the DND mode?"

With a tap, she turned it off, ready to leave the bed and the phone rang.

She smirked. "As expected."

Sliding to answer, her voice was cool and steady. "Yes?"

"Boss!" her subordinate’s voice burst through, tense and urgent. "Desmond’s scheduled an emergency shareholders’ meeting. It might involve a handover."

Jessica didn’t blink. "When?"

"In two days."

Her brow twitched. "Two days?" She murmured. "Doesn’t that coincide with fashion week?"

"It does."

"That bastard."

She drew in a breath as she stepped down from the bed. She exhaled, a thousand calculations running through her mind.

"What should we do?" the assistant asked.

"Alright. Don’t interfere. Just keep your eyes on everything." She responded calmly.

Desmond is never reckless when he wants to plot. If he’s making this move, he definitely has backup.

"Also, Keep an eye on every board member."

"Understood."

She ended the call and sat in silence for a moment.

"Two days."

She stared toward the window, her voice low. "You really choose your timing well, Desmond."

Her gaze hardened.

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