Chapter 4 The echo of gunfire still hung over the swamp . The deadly krait's head had been blown apart with surgical precision , its body limp in the mud . whipped my head toward the voice . At the edge of the swamp , several all - terrain vehicles had appeared out of nowhere , their roof - mounted floodlights turning the area right as day . A man in a sharp suit was lowering a flare gun . t was Maverick Stone ! Head of the Special Operations Division for the Board of Directors - and one of the few who knew my true identity and reported lirectly to my grandfather . Director Stone ? " ' rom the helicopter , Zander's voice trembled with disbelief and terror . How ... how are you ... " Maverick didn't even glance at him . His gaze swept quickly over my mud - caked , blood - soaked body and the leeches slowly crawling way . I flash of pain crossed his eyes , followed by cold fury . le strode to the swamp's edge and waded into the knee - deep mud without hesitation , reaching out his hand . Lyra , grab on ! " ooking at his outstretched hand , then down at my filthy body , I hesitated instinctively . My germaphobia made me resist touching anyone in this state . Maverick saw my hesitation . His tone was firm . Forget that ! Get out first ! " reached out and grabbed his wrist tightly . His hand was warm and strong . The security personnel he'd brought immediately moved in to help , quickly pulling me out of the swamp . Someone wrapped me in a hick thermal blanket as I shivered from the cold . The whole process took less than thirty seconds . Zander's helicopter still hovered in place , but the speaker had gone silent . The dark web chat had completely lost it . [ Who the hell is this guy ?! ] chapter This aura is terrifying ' ) ( Zander seems really scared of him ? Called him ' Director ' ? ] Clover's shrill voice suddenly rang through the speaker . " Who - who are you people ? This is a private matter ! " Maverick looked up , his gaze cutting toward the helicopter like a blade of ice . " Private matter ? Unlawful imprisonment , intentional harm , attempted murder - since when are those private matters ? " " Zander Caldwell , Clover Ashby , you're suspected of serious criminal offenses . Now , shut off your engines and submit to custody . " Maverick paused . " Otherwise , I don't mind letting our dark web friends see what real live law enforcement looks like . " Zander's face turned ashen . " Director Stone , it's a misunderstanding ! Lyra , she was the one who- " Maverick cut him off without mercy . " Shut up . " " Save it for the police . And for Lowell Corporation's legal department . " Lowell Corporation ! Those words struck like thunder . Zander's eyes went wide , staring at me - wrapped in a blanket , surrounded by guards . Clover shrieked , " Lowell ... which Lowell? " Maverick let out a cold laugh . " Which one do you think ? The multinational Lowell conglomerate . The ' gold - digging , ' ' useless ' Miss Lyra you've been tormenting is the sole granddaughter of Old Mr. Lowell and the only legal heir to Lowell Corporation . " " Mr. Caldwell , the sugar mama you've been scheming to latch onto ? She's been right beside you all along . " Zander swayed , nearly collapsing . Clover's face drained of all color . The dark web chat was buried under a tsunami of comments . [ Lowell ? The Lowell with wealth beyond nations ?! ] [ Holy crap !!! The heir ! ) I leaned against Maverick , feeling warmth slowly return to my body . Five years of patience . What I got in return wasn't love - it was lethal betrayal . I lifted my eyes toward the twisted face behind the helicopter window and spoke slowly : 14:03 His Mistress's ' Billionaire Parents ' ? DEEPFAKED . Mine ? Landing in That Private Jet Behind You . SURPRISE ! 8 Chapter 4 " Zander Caldwell , the divorce papers will be delivered to your office tomorrow . " " You'll walk away with nothing . " Chapter 5