Sorry My Step-Uncle, I'm Not Your Backup Plan novel Chapter 81

On their third day in Annecy, Asher received a call from his associate, Lucas, informing him that Vanessa had been found.

Gabriella was also feeling rather worn out from their sightseeing and wanted to return home to rest for a couple of days, so they packed their luggage and headed back to London.

After Vanessa had feigned pregnancy and been released from detention, she had been abducted by Grace's people and smuggled to the Middle East.

Grace's promises to send her abroad and arrange accommodation and employment had never materialized.

Instead, Vanessa had been sold to a fraud operation in the Middle East, where she endured terrible abuse and lived in conditions worse than animals.

Asher's people had located her, and since the operation's leader was also British and aware of the Blackwood family's power and influence, he dared not offend them and had no choice but to hand her over.

...

In a dimly lit basement.

Vanessa was tied to a wooden chair.

Her hair was disheveled, her body covered in wounds, her appearance utterly wretched.

These injuries weren't inflicted by the Blackwood people, but rather by the overseers at the fraud operation where she had been kept.

Asher entered through the basement door.

Dressed entirely in black, his demeanor was cold and severe, his handsome face shrouded in darkness.

He sat down on a sofa three or four meters away from Vanessa, his gaze fierce. "Tell me, who put you up to this?"

Upon seeing Asher, Vanessa immediately broke down.

"Asher, don't—don't look at me!" The woman's voice was hoarse with crying, her eyes flashing with despair. "I look absolutely dreadful right now."

Asher frowned with displeasure.

To him, Vanessa was merely an unforgivable criminal; he couldn't care less about her appearance.

Hearing nothing useful, Asher lost patience, his tone becoming harsh. "Did I stutter?"

Vanessa shook her head through her tears. "I can't tell you. I... I had no choice. For the sake of all those years I loved you, couldn't you just let me go?"

Asher's eyes were ice-cold, without a trace of warmth. "Tell me, and I'll let you go."

Vanessa begged him tearfully, "Please, Asher, I truly can't say. Please spare me. I didn't mean to ruin your engagement ceremony..."

At this point, her tone changed, her face full of concern. "Has your wound healed? I'm sorry, I never meant to hurt you... I..."

She hadn't intended to harm Gabriella either.

All of this was Grace forcing her hand!

But she couldn't say that.

Her father was still in Grace's clutches.

She had been thrown into that operation and tortured for over a month. She hated Grace more than anyone, wanted her dead more than anyone!

But she couldn't say so.

Her father was her only remaining family in this world.

Seeing that the man showed not the slightest softening toward her, Vanessa's heart sank to despair. "Asher, just kill me. I cannot tell you..."

"Why would I kill you?" Asher's face remained severe. "Miss Miller, since you refuse to tell me anything, don't blame me for what comes next."

Asher coldly rose to his feet.

"Asher, what are you going to do to me?" Vanessa's pale face was still streaked with tears, her gaze desolate.

Asher's eyes were glacial, his entire being seemingly encased in ice.

He didn't answer the woman's question, turning to leave instead.

"Asher, don't go!" Vanessa cried out in misery. "Won't you stay with me a bit longer?"

The woman's voice was wretched, filled with pathetic pleading. "During this past month in that place, I suffered inhuman torment. I... I..."

...

Gabriella had been thoroughly exhausted by Asher's attentions the previous night. She had slept soundly, not waking until midday.

The curtains were half-drawn, sunlight streaming through the glass, casting a layer of soft golden light on the pale blue duvet at the foot of the bed.

Dust motes danced gently in the air, making the light visible.

As soon as Gabriella opened her eyes and her senses returned, she caught the enticing aroma of food.

Wearing adorable teddy bear pajamas, her hair disheveled, she climbed out of bed and followed the delicious smell, her eyes still half-closed.

In the dining room, the table was already set with a Sunday roast, complete with Yorkshire puddings and roast potatoes.

The extractor fan hummed steadily in the kitchen.

Gabriella peered curiously toward the kitchen.

Asher emerged wearing an apron, carrying a bowl of leek and potato soup. "You're awake, I see?"

He placed the soup on the dining table.

It was Gabriella's favorite comfort food.

"Hungry, darling? Go wash your hands and we'll eat." Asher still had the apron tied around him, looking every bit the picture of domestic bliss.

Gabriella's eyes were still drowsy, regarding him sleepily. "Why haven't you gone to work yet?"

And prepared such an elaborate meal, no less.

Asher untied the apron. "I thought you'd be famished when you woke, so I picked up some bits from Waitrose to cook for you."

Gabriella rubbed her eyes, her voice soft and sweet from just waking up, utterly beguiling. "How terribly domestic of you."

"Only for you," Asher replied, his eyes filled with tenderness too deep to dissolve.