Chapter 215

Vivian pressed her palm tightly against the phone's receiver. "Aunt Margaret, can't you see? This is our golden opportunity."

"What opportunity?" Margaret's eyebrows knitted together in confusion.

Leaning in closer, Vivian's voice became a conspiratorial whisper. "This is the perfect moment to make Vivian vanish completely."

She had noticed how even Dominic seemed overly concerned about Vivian's disappearance, which only stoked the flames of her jealousy. "If Adrian finds out—" Margaret's voice faltered, hesitation coloring her words.

Vivian waved her hand dismissively. "It has nothing to do with us. Dominic has no concrete proof of her kidnapping. If things escalate, we'll simply claim ignorance about the seriousness of the situation. Besides, if family intervention is needed, her father is still alive. Surely he's more qualified than you?"

Margaret hesitated, wrestling with her conscience before finally giving a reluctant nod.

Vivian removed her hand from the phone. "Dominic, if this is truly a family matter, her father should be involved. It's not my place to interfere. You should contact the Dawson family instead."

Margaret's gaze drifted to the rain-lashed window, her fingers tightening around the phone until her knuckles turned white.

Meanwhile, the ocean raged with unrestrained fury, violent winds howling across the churning waters.

On the medium-sized yacht, Maxwell lost his footing and crashed onto the deck.

A crew member burst into the cabin, his face etched with urgency. "Mr. Sterling, we must turn back immediately."

Despite all their careful planning, nature seemed determined to mock their efforts.

Maxwell, irritation flashing across his face, adjusted his collar and demanded, "What if we continue forward?"

The crew member shook his head firmly. "Impossible. Beyond this point lies international waters. Without proper documentation, we'd be facing far greater consequences."

Still sprawled on the floor, Maxwell's gaze shifted to the bound woman before him. The ropes dug cruelly into her delicate skin, accentuating her curves. She met his stare with icy defiance, her cracked lips and bruised cheeks adding a haunting vulnerability to her beauty.

A possessive hunger surged through him - this treasure would not escape his grasp. "Change course for the harbor," he ordered, struggling to his feet unsteadily.

After a moment's pause, he added, "Take her to the master cabin." Leaning heavily against the wall as he exited, two burly men immediately seized Vivian, dragging her toward another room.

The cabin was sparsely furnished - just a narrow bed and a tiny adjoining bathroom. They threw her onto the mattress and quickly departed.

Maxwell sat on the edge of the bed, fingers trembling with anticipation as he began removing his clothes. When he reached for her dress, Vivian swallowed her revulsion and forced a saccharine smile. "Untie me, and I'll do it myself," she murmured softly.

Maxwell paused, studying her face before breaking into a knowing smirk. "Darling, this is my one shot. I can't risk anything going wrong." His hands continued their invasion, pulling aside her dress and creeping toward her undergarments.