Back From Prison, Built For Revenge - Chapter 31: Chapter 31

Inside the executive office at Foster Group headquarters, the air was thick with tension.
Peter sat on the sofa, his hands clenched together, a thin sheen of sweat on his forehead. Beside him, Zaiden wore a grim expression. Across from them, the senior Owen Foster held a coffee cup, fixing them with an icy stare.
"Mr. Foster, Yael was definitely impulsive," Peter began, his tone deferential. "He's still young, not quite level-headed yet. I promise, a mistake like this will never happen again."
Owen took a slow sip of his coffee before setting the cup down. "Mr. Stone, do you have any idea how much damage this incident has done to Foster Group? The stock for Citrus Grove Plaza has been tanking for three straight days. We're not just losing money; we're losing market confidence."
Peter's face paled, but he forced a smile. "You're right, Mr. Foster. It was a serious lapse in judgment on our part. But considering our families have worked together for years, can't you cut us some slack?"
Owen scoffed. "Cut you some slack? This is a bit more than a problem you can talk your way out of, Mr. Stone."
Zaiden cut in. "Mr. Foster, if I may, this might not be entirely Yael's fault. Citrus Grove Plaza had its own management issues, which is what gave our competitors an opening. Yael was just trying to help, and he ended up taking all the heat."
Owen's expression remained cold. "So, you're saying I shouldn't blame Yael for this mess?"
"Of course not!" Peter said, waving his hands dismissively. "We just hope you'll look at the bigger picture and not let this affect the relationship between our families. After all, we have several joint projects in the works."
Just then, the office door opened, and a tall, imposing figure strode in—Carlos Lambert.
He glanced around the room, a faint smile on his lips that didn't reach his eyes. "Looks like I'm interrupting something."
"Carlos. What brings you here?" Owen's tone softened slightly.
"I heard Citrus Grove Plaza ran into some trouble," Carlos said smoothly, taking a seat next to Mr. Foster. "I came to see if there was anything I could do to help."
Peter's face lit up with relief. "Carlos, your timing is perfect. We're in a real bind here."
Carlos just smiled and turned to Owen. "I don't think we need to let this get out of hand. After all, our families are stronger when we work together, aren't we?"
Owen frowned, considering his words. But before he could respond, an assistant burst into the room and whispered something urgently in his ear.
"What?" Owen's face went white. "Yael collapsed?"
The assistant nodded. "The doctor said it might be from exhaustion. He needs to be taken to the hospital right away, sir."
Everyone froze. Peter was the first to recover, jumping to his feet. "I'll go to the hospital with you, Mr. Foster!"
"That won't be necessary," Owen said, waving him off. He looked at Carlos. "You stay here and handle the fallout. I'm going to the hospital."
Carlos nodded, his expression unreadable.
At Dawnridge General Hospital, Chloe had just stepped out of a patient room when she saw a familiar, loathsome figure—Carlos Lambert.
He was leaning against a pillar at the end of the hall, his dark, intense eyes fixed on her, making her feel completely exposed.
Chloe stopped, meeting his gaze for a beat before turning to walk away. She hadn't taken more than a few steps when his voice followed her. "Where are you going?"
She ignored him and quickened her pace, but a second later, a cold hand clamped around her wrist, yanking her to a halt.
"Let me go!" Chloe snapped, glaring at him, her dark eyes blazing with fury.
Carlos was unfazed, a faint smirk playing on his lips. "You're still recovering. Are you trying to have another accident?"
"What I do is none of your business!" Chloe tried to wrench her arm free, but he just tightened his grip. He dragged her into an empty fire escape stairwell, slamming the door shut and trapping her in the small, dim space.
"What the hell do you want?" Chloe demanded, struggling against his hold, but she was no match for his strength.
Carlos looked down at her, his handsome features cast in shadow, making him look dangerous. "Chloe, do you have any idea what you're doing?" he asked, his voice low and cold. "Marrying Yael Foster? Do you think that's how you escape the Stones? Or do you just have no clue what kind of people the Fosters really are?"
Chloe flinched but quickly recovered her composure. She lifted her chin, her voice defiant. "It's better than staying with the Stones!"
"Better?" Carlos let out a cold, mocking laugh. "You think marrying into a family like that is a ticket to paradise? Let me tell you, it's just trading one hell for another."
"So what?" Chloe shot back, her gaze sharp enough to cut through his facade. "It's my choice. Whatever happens, it has nothing to do with you!"
Her words ignited the anger in his eyes. He grabbed her by the shoulders, slamming her against the wall. "Your choice?" he snarled, his face inches from hers. "What if your choice gets you killed? Have you even thought about the consequences?"
"I already died once!" Chloe's voice was laced with ice, each word a chilling blow. "I died the day I walked into that prison. The person standing here now is a ghost. A ghost who doesn't believe in anyone."
Carlos froze, staring at her pale, defiant face, a flicker of something unreadable in his eyes. But just as quickly, his usual cool restraint returned. He let go of her and took a step back. "Fine," he said, his tone dripping with ridicule. "Then good luck to you. But let me give you a piece of advice—don't overestimate yourself, and don't underestimate others."
Chloe didn't give him another look. She turned and pushed open the stairwell door.
But just as she was about to step out, a powerful force yanked her back. Carlos had grabbed her arm again.
"Let go of me!" Chloe's voice trembled as she tried to break free, but his grip was like iron.
Carlos's expression was a storm of conflicting emotions as he stared down at her, as if trying to see right through her.