Sorry My Step-Uncle, I'm Not Your Backup Plan novel Chapter 87

Meanwhile, on Asher's side.

Vanessa had her throat slit by the guard assigned to watch her at the facility. She died instantly.

The killer was quickly subdued by other personnel at the facility.

Before Asher could arrive, the murderer had already died, blood flowing from his seven orifices.

When Asher reached the basement of the facility, Vanessa was already covered with a white sheet, lying in a large pool of blood.

The man with blood streaming from his eyes, ears, nose and mouth lay in the blood pool next to Vanessa.

The man was Gary, one of the operatives who worked for Asher at the facility.

Lucas, the facility manager, stood beside Asher, trembling as he explained: "Sir, Gary and Robert were on duty tonight. Gary, apparently acting on someone's orders, suddenly attacked Vanessa. His strike was swift and precise, hitting a vital spot. Robert tried to intervene, but it was too late."

Asher's brow furrowed deeply as he stared at the horrific, vivid pool of blood on the floor. His voice betrayed no emotion: "Someone wanted to silence her permanently."

Lucas wiped the cold sweat from his brow and suddenly dropped to his knees. "Sir, I await your punishment!"

Asher spoke dispassionately: "What's done is done. Call the police."

Lucas looked up. "But sir, if we notify the police, we could be charged with unlawful detention..."

Asher's cold gaze flicked toward him, and before he could speak, Lucas quickly added: "I was responsible for unlawfully detaining Vanessa. I'll turn myself in."

Asher's lips tightened as he contemplated the dead man with blood seeping from his orifices. "Who does Gary have in his family?"

Lucas replied: "He's forty, unmarried with no children. His only family is his elderly mother, who's in her sixties and in poor health."

"Where is his mother now?"

Lucas was startled. "This happened so suddenly, I... Sir, I've been negligent!"

Asher's expression darkened. "He was clearly coerced. His mother is likely already in their hands. I fear the worst has happened. Lucas, you've disappointed me greatly..."

Lucas bowed his head. "Sir, I'm prepared to accept any punishment!"

Asher's eyes frosted over. "Someone knew about Gary's family situation and used his mother as leverage to threaten him. It seems this perpetrator..."

Lucas looked shocked. "Sir, are you suggesting...?"

A cold gleam flashed in Asher's eyes. "We have a mole among us. Have someone else handle the confession. You focus on getting to the bottom of this."

Lucas nodded gravely. "Yes, sir!"

...

At a private residence.

A bodyguard in black reported with his head lowered: "Mr. Jones, the target has been eliminated."

"Very good. Well done."

"Shall we take care of Vanessa's father and Gary's mother as well? To eliminate any loose ends."

"Yes."

After the bodyguard left, the man took out his phone and made an international call.

"Lord Malfoy, everything has been handled."

...

Asher left the facility and checked his phone, seeing Gabriella's missed call.

He immediately called her back.

"Gabby, are you asleep?"

Gabriella's voice was drowsy, as if she were fighting to stay awake. "Mmm... I'm quite sleepy, can hardly keep my eyes open."

Asher got into his car, sitting in the back seat, his tone gentle. "If you're tired, why aren't you sleeping?"

Gabriella's voice was soft with drowsiness, sounding endearingly tender. "I was waiting for your call."

Asher's hardened heart melted completely. "I've just finished dealing with things here. Would you like me to come over?"

Gabriella glanced at the time, murmuring: "Tomorrow, perhaps. I need to sleep now."

"All right," Asher replied softly. "It's cold tonight. Make sure you're properly covered."

"I know, you're treating me like a three-year-old who doesn't know how to use a duvet..."

Gabriella's sleep-laden voice grew progressively quieter until it faded entirely, leaving only the sound of her steady, rhythmic breathing on the other end of the line.

Asher maintained his position, phone held to his ear, quietly listening to Gabriella's breathing. Even when his arm began to ache, he couldn't bring himself to end the call.

He kept the line open all the way until he returned to his residence.

As he stepped out of the car, his driver respectfully informed him: "Sir, Lucas called saying he had an urgent matter and couldn't reach you."

Asher's tender expression disappeared as he ended the call with Gabriella.

No sooner had he hung up than Lucas's call came through.

From outside, he began pounding on the door, shouting: "Gabriella, come on, open up! You can be mad at me, you can hate me, but don't punish yourself. At least take the breakfast, okay? Please?"

Gabriella was nearly apoplectic with rage.

Why was this man so utterly persistent?

She shouted through the door: "Drake, sod off! Keep harassing me and I'll call the police!"

The voice outside ceased.

After a moment, Drake said: "I'm leaving the breakfast by your door. Just... remember to eat something, alright?"

Gabriella rolled her eyes and returned to her bedroom, intending to catch a bit more sleep.

With so much on her mind, however, falling back asleep proved difficult.

After lying in bed for a while, tossing and turning restlessly, Gabriella sighed, irritably ran her fingers through her hair, and got up to go to the bathroom.

Meanwhile.

Asher's black Maybach stopped outside the Tribeca building.

Given the events of the previous night, this was a sensitive time, and Asher didn't wish to attract attention, so he'd chosen the more understated Maybach.

He stepped out of the car, followed by a bodyguard in a black suit.

Reaching the building where Gabriella lived, Asher instructed calmly: "Wait for me here."

The bodyguard bowed his head respectfully: "Yes, sir."

Asher walked to Gabriella's door and knocked gently.

No response.

He patiently knocked a few more times.

"Drake, for God's sake! I really will call the bloody police!" Gabriella yanked open the door, shouting irritably.

Asher froze.

Their eyes met.

Deep confusion settled in Asher's intense gaze.

"Drake?"