CHAPTER 457: THE MAN WHO RETURNED

She knew exactly how to interact with him.

She had studied how Selina acted around Logan, around Miller Butler, and even around Luke. Her expressions, her tone, her posture—everything had been rehearsed.

But Selina being exposed as the SL chairwoman was unexpected. That’s when the world found out she had known Mr. Brooks for over a decade.

The impostor didn’t know that. She hadn’t studied how Selina interacted with Mr. Brooks. She was afraid of slipping up—too afraid to risk it.

Which meant...

Logan’s gaze sharpened instantly.

This woman hadn’t just decided yesterday to pretend to be Selina.

The real Selina was missing. And this imposter was now living in her home, trying to wear her life like a mask.

Rage surged in Logan’s chest.

He had to confirm Selina’s safety before dealing with the fraud.

He stood up without a flicker of emotion.

"It’s late. Get some rest."

As Logan left the bedroom, only one thought filled his mind:

That bed had been used by another woman.

He didn’t want it anymore.

Actually...

He didn’t want the master bedroom at all.

...

Two days later.

Logan hadn’t told anyone about the fake Selina.

First, he needed to protect Selina.

Second...

The imposter knew every detail of Selina’s habits at Sapphire Valley Villa.

Either someone had been watching the house—someone Logan hadn’t yet identified—or someone inside the house was helping her.

If he wanted to play dumb, he had to play it perfectly.

But Logan was losing sleep, driven mad with worry.

He’d secretly launched a private investigation, but no trace of Selina had turned up.

Surveillance confirmed that Selina entered the Reid Group parking garage.

But the woman who left wasn’t her.

Which meant she’d been taken from inside the garage.

And since there were no external vehicles, the car that took her had to belong to someone inside Reid Group.

Just like at Sapphire Valley Villa...

There was a traitor under his nose.

But that was impossible.

He knew every inch of Reid Group—every employee, every plant, every risk.

Still... he couldn’t wait anymore.

Logan suddenly stood up.

When it came to Selina, all his self-control disappeared.

He didn’t care about the puppet masters or shadow players.

He just wanted Selina back.

Then—

"Sir!"

Jack ran up, visibly shaken.

"Sir, the Reid Group system is under attack again—from the same hacker as five years ago!"

Five years ago?

That name snapped into Logan’s brain like a lightning bolt.

"Which hacker?"

Jack swallowed hard.

"Luna."

...

One day earlier.

Selina slowly regained consciousness.

Her head pounded.

She stared at the ceiling, disoriented, trying to figure out where she was.

Five minutes later, the memories came rushing back.

Her eyes narrowed.

She’d been drugged—kidnapped.

And the person who took her—

"You’re awake?"

A tall man stepped forward holding a cup of honey water, his voice gentle.

"You haven’t eaten all day. Drink this, get your energy back."

Selina’s eyes turned cold.

She remembered exactly what had happened.

She’d parked her car, stepped out—

And then, pain at the back of her neck.

Just before everything went black... she saw the face.

"Jacob," she said through gritted teeth. "What the hell do you want?"

That’s right.

The man who kidnapped her... was Jacob.

The last time she saw him was three months ago.

Since then, it was like he and the Carter Family had vanished.

Now he was back—only this time, with chains.

Jacob was dressed neatly in a tailored suit, like he’d just returned from somewhere. In one hand was a cup of honey water, and in the other, a takeout box.

It was clearly breakfast.

Selina ignored his fake concern. She shifted slightly and realized the effects of the sedative had worn off. She immediately got up and walked to the door. She twisted the handle—

It didn’t budge.

"Miss Clark, don’t waste your strength. You’re not getting out."

Jacob’s tone was apologetic, but his words weren’t.

"I’m afraid I have to trouble you to stay here for a few days."

Selina narrowed her eyes. "What do you want? What do you gain by locking me up?"

Jacob shook his head, sighing as if she were being unreasonable. "Miss Clark, there’s no need to be so hostile. I won’t hurt you. In fact, you’re safest here. Just rest for a few days—is that so hard?"

"We’re friends. Trust me, I wouldn’t do anything to harm you."

Friends?

Selina’s lips curled coldly. "So Mr. Carter’s definition of friendship... is kidnapping someone without a word?"

Jacob remained calm. "Miss Clark, think about it. Since I met you, have I ever hurt you? I haven’t. I even helped you when you were upset."

"Your mother and my father were close friends. I know you have your issues with the Carter Family, but even so, we’re doing everything we can to protect you."

His words were vague and evasive. "That’s why, staying here with me is the best option."

Selina’s brows drew together.

What did that mean? Someone wanted to hurt her, and the Carter Family was actually saving her? That didn’t make sense.

And if that were true, why couldn’t Jacob just be upfront?

Not to mention—Carter Family... There were so many half-truths surrounding her mother, and Old Mr. Carter, that she’d never gotten a straight answer. She couldn’t bring herself to trust them. Especially after what they did to Logan—keeping him like a blood bank for Jacob. That erased any possibility of trust.

Selina said evenly, "Keeping me locked in here is pointless. Logan will come for me. So will my second brother and the others."

"No, they won’t."

Jacob smiled, confident and unbothered. "You can rest easy, Miss Clark. Logan won’t come. And neither will the young master of the Foster Family or your other friends."

A cold unease twisted in Selina’s chest. "They will come."

Why wouldn’t they?

She’d disappeared out of nowhere. Of course Logan and her brothers would look for her. That was one thing she was sure of—they would never abandon her.

Jacob didn’t argue.

"You’re right," he said gently. "If Logan and the Fosters didn’t find you, they’d definitely start searching. If they dig deep enough, in maybe two weeks, they’d get to me... and then eventually find this villa. But..."

Selina’s heart skipped. Her instincts screamed at her: whatever came after that "but" was going to be bad.

Sure enough, Jacob smiled.

"But what if they’ve already found you?"

Her pupils shrank.

What if they already found her?

But she was right here.

So... who did Logan find?

Or worse—who thinks they’ve found her?