The Billionaire CEO Betrays his Wife: He wants her back-Chapter 64: In danger

Steve’s voice was soft, almost a whisper, as they stepped out of the room, both wearing wide, triumphant smiles.

"Didn’t see that coming," he said, his tone laced with pride. "You did great today, baby sis." His words lingered in Mara’s ear, a quiet celebration of the small victory they’d just secured. But as they walked, Mara’s mind was already racing ahead.

"You should go ahead to the courthouse," she said, her voice steady but distant. "I’ll join you soon." Steve nodded, his excitement still bubbling, and turned to leave, his footsteps echoing down the hall.

Mara watched him go, her smile fading slightly as the weight of what lay ahead settled on her shoulders. She had someone to meet before the hearing—someone who might change everything.

Steve was caught up in the moment, hadn’t noticed the shadows creeping into the case, the way it was twisting into something darker, something far more dangerous than they’d anticipated. As she stood there, the air around her felt heavier, the silence louder. The real battle was just beginning.

Ethan’s voice wavered as he asked, "Is there any truth in that?" His eyes searched Mr. Lackman’s face, hoping for reassurance, for someone to tell him it was all a lie. But the older man only smirked, his confidence unshaken.

"You don’t have to worry," Mr. Lackman said, his tone dripping with certainty. "There’s no truth to it. As you heard, she loves to read drama books. She was just building a story. She’ll find no evidence." His words were firm, almost proud, as if he’d already won.

Ethan wasn’t convinced. The unease in his gut tightened. "If there’s something I need to know, I need to know now," he insisted, his voice low but urgent. "We have to prepare for it. No more surprises, or else this—"

Before he could finish, Mr. Lackman cut him off sharply. "I said there’s nothing," he snapped, his voice rising. "Now, just focus on the case we have at hand, and nothing else." The finality in his tone left no room for argument. Without waiting for a response, Mr. Lackman picked up his phone and began dialing, effectively shutting Ethan out of the conversation.

Ethan stood there, the weight of it pressing down on him. He couldn’t shake the feeling that something was being hidden from him, something that could unravel everything. But for now, all he could do was watch as Mr. Lackman turned his back, the phone pressed to his ear, and wonder what secrets were being kept just out of his reach.

Mara clutched the small envelope tighter, her heart pounding as she walked through the dimly lit alleyway. She had done it. The meeting had gone as planned, and now, she held the evidence that could change everything.

A sudden rustle. Then, a sharp force yanked her backward.

"Hand it over," a voice growled.

She fought, her fingers gripping the envelope as she twisted, kicked, struggled. A hard shove sent her stumbling. Her head struck the pavement. Pain exploded through her skull, darkness threatening to pull her under. The last thing she saw was a pair of boots retreating into the shadows.

Ethan arrived moments later, heading to the courthouse, he stopped in his tracks when he saw a small group gathered. He found Mara crumpled on the ground, blood trickling from her temple. Panic surged through him as he dropped to his knees, his hands trembling as he checked her pulse. "Mara!" he shouted, his voice cracking. But she was unresponsive. His heart raced as he called for an ambulance, his mind a whirlwind of fear and rage.

As the sirens wailed in the distance, Ethan spotted the assailant fleeing down the alley. Without a second thought, he took off after him, his fury fueling his every step. He tackled one of the man to the ground, his fists clenched as he pinned him down, his voice a low, dangerous growl. "Who sent you," he spat, his eyes blazing. The other assailant had fled with the evidence.

He didn’t hold back. His fists landed with unrelenting fury until sirens blared and officers swarmed in, pulling him away. The man who had pushed Mara was dragged into cuffs, but Ethan had no time for satisfaction. He ran.

Meanwhile, Steve rushed to the scene, he fell to his knees beside Mara, shaking as he gathered her limp form. "Stef!" His voice cracked, panic settling deep in his chest. He lifted her into his arms, rushing to the waiting car. He couldn’t wait for the ambulance.

At the hospital, Stefan met them at the entrance, his face tight with dread. But the protocol was cruel as he tried to follow her inside, he was stopped by the staff. "I’m her brother," he pleaded, but the rules were clear, no family in the ER. Family couldn’t be involved in direct treatment.

As the doors to the emergency room swung shut, Stefan and Steve stood frozen, helpless, forced to wait. The sterile walls of the waiting room closed in around them, each second stretching unbearably long.

At the hospital, Ethan’s heart pounded with dread. But the moment he stepped through the doors, two barriers stood in his way, Steve and Stefan, he didn’t think they would let him near her just because of what had happened.

"You don’t get to be here," Steve said coldly, his eyes burning with resentment.

Ethan’s breath hitched. "She’s still my wife! She’s carrying my child!"

"You two are getting a divorce?" Stefan snapped, his voice laced with raw emotion. "I just need to see her, if she is okay," Ethan broke down. "You know who did this right? They were after the evidence so you don’t get to stand here and act like you care, you will do just anything to win, just leave!" Steve yells, barely holding on to his anger. Mara was hurt because of the case, he should have been more careful.

Ethan staggered back, his world caving in. His hands trembled, his chest heaving as the weight of reality crashed down. His wife. His unborn baby. He hadn’t been there to protect them. His knees buckled, and he sank to the floor, fists clenching as a broken sob escaped him. He couldn’t believe the shepherd would think he would ever try to hurt Mara. His assistant knelt beside him, gripping his shoulder. "Ethan, you need to breathe." But he couldn’t. The fear was suffocating, the regret unbearable. He had never felt so powerless.

And behind those closed emergency doors, Mara fought a battle of her own.

Hours passed, agonizing and slow. Stefan paced, his nails digging into his palms, while Steve sat motionless, his head in his hands. No news. No updates. Just the hollow tick of the clock, taunting them with every second Mara remained in critical condition.

Then, Ethan left. He had no choice.

Storming into the penthouse of Mr. Lackman, he slammed the door behind him. His client barely looked up from his glass of whiskey, a smug smirk playing on his lips.

"Ethan," Lackman mused. "You look like hell."

"You sent them after her," Ethan seethed, fists clenched at his sides.

Lackman took a slow sip, exhaling as if bored. "They lost the evidence, didn’t they? Such a shame. Without it, the case against me collapses."

Ethan slammed both hands on the desk, his face inches from Lackman’s. "You tried to have my wife killed!"

Lackman chuckled. "Correction, I sent men to retrieve what was mine. She put up a fight. That’s not my fault."

Rage burned through Ethan, but he was trapped. His legal oath, his own damned ethics, client confidentiality bound him like chains. He had the confession. He had the truth. And he could do nothing.

Lackman leaned back, satisfied. "And the best part? You can’t say a word. Imagine what happens if you do. Imagine what I’ll make sure happens next."

Ethan’s breath shuddered. Every muscle in his body screamed for violence, for retribution. But he knew. He knew Lackman was right.

His hands trembled as he turned away. But as he stepped toward the door, Lackman’s voice cut through the silence.

"Give your wife my regards. If she wakes up." Ethan saw red.