Forced Marriage: My Wife, My Redemption-Chapter 258: Things aren’t safe anymore...

Desmond stormed into his office in a flurry, the sharp click of his shoes echoing ominously down the empty hallway.

The moment he stepped inside, he slammed the door with such force it rattled the glass panels, sending a tense silence through the floor.

He yanked off his tie with a growl of frustration, anger and disbelief bubbling dangerously beneath his skin.

With hands trembling from rage, he poured himself a glass of scotch from the crystal decanter and downed it in one gulp.

He still couldn’t believe the message he had received a picture. A simple picture that threatened to unravel everything.

The board meeting had been adjourned, supposedly to give him time to clarify the situation, but in truth, he needed a moment to process, to confirm, and to restrategize.

Settling behind his expansive mahogany desk, he pulled his phone from his pocket, opened the message again and studied the image.

The image stared back at him, crystal clear and damning: Davis and Jessica, smiling, glowing. Radiating life with Davis seated on the wheelchair, Jessica walking behind him. Their faces beaming with unconcealed happiness.

Their glowing features were a clear indication they were not bedridden or hospital-bound—certainly not victims of any supposed accident.

Desmond felt his heart drop to his stomach. His breath caught in his throat. That picture alone had the potential to destabilize all he had carefully built over the past few months.

If Davis had returned, hale and hearty, all bets were off. His position, his control over the company, and all the underhanded efforts he had made to erase Davis from the scene were now hanging by a thread.

For the first time, he began to dread what was coming.

Determined not to make any mistakes, he summoned one of his subordinates.

"I’m sending you a picture. Analyze it and confirm its authenticity—fast."

The subordinate paused briefly, then asked, "Are you referring to the picture of Davis with his wife?"

Hearing the name again made Desmond’s breath hitch. The fact that even this subordinate knew about the image confirmed one thing—it wasn’t a hidden return.

"How do you know about it?" he asked, needing to get to the bottom of it. But it seemed the subordinate had already done his own digging.

The subordinate let out a low breath. "Sir, it’s trending online. Number one across multiple platforms. Everyone has seen it. There are even short video clips now."

Desmond swayed slightly, feeling the floor tilt beneath him as though the very foundation of his office was giving way. He slumped into his leather chair, his head sinking into his hands. Silence reigned for a long beat in deep contemplation.

But in the next moment, a cold smirk curled on his lips.

"I underestimated Jessica, the Brown family’s daughter. Perhaps it’s time I gave them a little welcome gift. Let’s see how their little reunion holds up under pressure."

With that icy smile still lingering, he picked up the intercom and dialed his assistant.

"Find out where my nephew and his wife are right now. I need to pay them a visit."

He paused before continuing, "Also, locate the old man. I don’t care what it takes—make sure I get in to see him today."

His assistant sighed inwardly, unable to hide his concern. He couldn’t help but wonder why Desmond insisted on chasing after Davis and his wife when he always ended up on the losing side.

Still, the assistant nodded and turned to leave.

"Be discreet," Desmond added. "I suspect there are moles in the company."

The assistant froze mid-step, eyes widening. "Moles? How?"

It seemed impossible. Since Desmond took leadership, no new staff had been employed. Most of the employees were long-standing members of the company.

The assistant met his gaze. "That can’t be possible. We haven’t hired new staff since you took over, and most of the employees are long-standing loyalists."

Desmond walked over to the floor-to-ceiling window overlooking the cityscape, hands clasped behind his back. He let out a deep sigh.

"With everything that’s happened lately

especially today’s board meeting, I suspect some are working for Davis."

"Should I open a formal investigation into the staff?" the assistant asked cautiously.

Desmond shook his head. "Too risky. A formal investigation is like shouting at the culprit to run. No. I’ll wait. People like that always reveal themselves. Sooner or later."

"But, sir, time may not be on our side. If Davis is back and gaining traction—"

"I know what I’m doing," Desmond snapped, his tone final.

"Then... will you investigate the staff?" the assistant asked again.

"That would be troublesome," Desmond said, his tone dark. "But anyone with such intent will eventually reveal themselves."

"But sir," the assistant insisted, "waiting for them to expose themselves could be risky. They may never reveal themselves at all. A scheduled investigation might be more effective."

Desmond glanced at him. "Do you know what a scheduled investigation does? It tells the guilty party to run."

With that, he waved the assistant off.

As the assistant left, Desmond turned back to the window. "Davis, it’s no fun playing alone. A game of two... that’s more interesting."

~Jessica’s Mansion~

By the time Jessica and Davis stirred in bed, the sun was already making its descent in the western sky. The golden hues stained the heavens in soft oranges and golds.

Jessica yawned lightly, but the peaceful moment was soon interrupted by the growl of her stomach.

"Hungry?" Davis asked, a teasing smile in his voice.

Jessica flushed with embarrassment, but that wasn’t the real issue. Her head was spinning, her skin slick with sweat, and her strength seemed to be slipping away by the second.

Noticing the sudden shift in her demeanor, concern etched into Davis’s face. He reached for his phone and called Deborah, instructing her to bring food immediately.

When the tray arrived, without waiting for etiquette Jessica devoured the food, diving into the warm meal with a hunger that surprised even her. She didn’t stop until every last grain was gone.

Only when the last bite was swallowed did the sweat retreat from her skin.

She leaned back, wiping sweat from her brow, her strength slowly returning. She rubbed her stomach absently with a sigh of content, her fingers brushing over a soft swell that had recently become more noticeable.

"I think I need to visit the hospital tomorrow, now that we’re back in Country Y," she said softly.

Davis, sitting up in bed to watch her eat, let out a deep sigh. "You’re not going alone," he said. "Things aren’t safe anymore. That picture of us is everywhere.

"So?" Jessica asked with a raised brow.

"You’ll need to go with your security team. It’s not safe for you anymore, not after our return has gone viral." Davis concluded meeting her gaze with a gentle.

"That’s okay. I’m not that weak. I can manage," Jessica replied.

Davis got up and began dressing, preparing to leave. He had matters to handle particularly those involving the culprits from the accident years ago who had been recently arrested. No matter the hour, he needed answers.

"I’ll be back soon," he said as he moved toward the door in his wheelchair.

Jessica’s voice stopped him. "I’m coming with you."

Davis turned, eyebrows raised. "Do you even know where I’m going? Can you handle it?"

Jessica nodded in affirmation. While she gathered the plates to keep in order for Deborah to take them out.

Seeing her nod, Davis shook his head rubbing his brow. His thought picking up at the pending situation. "Babe, you need to rest. That place, it’s a dungeon. The smell alone would make you sick. And in your condition..."

Jessica’s eyes immediately shimmered with tears. Her lips trembled. Davis rubbed his temples. He wasn’t sure what he’d said wrong, but seeing her like that made his heart ache.

He couldn’t help wondering how he had gotten married to a crybaby. But thinking back, he found his concern was valid.

He had witnessed firsthand how badly pregnancy affected her. The place he was going wasn’t fit for her, not in her condition.

"Babe," he said gently, "you need to stay home. That place—the smell alone could overwhelm you. The baby can’t handle it. Neither can you."

Jessica continued to stare at him silently, her tears rolling down her cheeks as they finally fell, Davis rubbed his forehead in exasperation.

"Okay, okay. We’ll go together," he agreed helplessly.

A soft smile curved Jessica’s lips. She said nothing more and quickly changed into a pair of plain jeans and an off-white polo.

Seeing her hurry through the changes of clothes left Davis stumped. Then, gently taking hold of Davis’s wheelchair, she helped him out of the room.