Chapter 14: The First Attack

The black sedan kept a safe distance behind Eric's Rolls-Royce as it traveled through River City's quiet streets. Inside, the masked driver never took his eyes off the luxury car ahead. After receiving new instructions over the phone, he slowly accelerated. His mission was simple—not to kill, but to send a warning.

Inside the Rolls-Royce, Stella was still thinking about Eric's words from the banquet.

'Trust isn't something you offer only when things are easy.'

Those words echoed repeatedly in her mind.

She turned slightly toward Eric.

'Thank you... for believing me tonight.'

Eric glanced at her briefly before returning his attention to the road.

'I wasn't believing your past.'

'I was believing the person sitting beside me now.'

Stella smiled quietly.

For the first time since her rebirth, she felt completely at peace.

Suddenly, Mason's voice came through the car's communication system.

'Mr. Chilton.'

'A black sedan has been following us since we left the hotel.'

Eric calmly checked the rearview mirror.

Sure enough, the same vehicle had maintained its distance for nearly fifteen minutes.

'Stay calm,' Eric said softly to Stella.

'We're not alone.'

She looked confused.

'What do you mean?'

'My security team is already nearby.'

Almost immediately, two black SUVs appeared from opposite directions.

They quietly positioned themselves behind the suspicious sedan.

The driver realized he had been discovered.

'Damn it,' he muttered.

Instead of escaping, he suddenly stepped on the accelerator.

The sedan shot forward at frightening speed.

'Hold on,' Eric warned.

The next second, the sedan rammed directly into the side of the Rolls-Royce.

Bang!

The impact echoed through the empty street.

Stella was thrown sideways, but Eric instinctively wrapped one arm around her before she could hit the window.

'Are you hurt?' he asked immediately.

Stella shook her head despite the shock.

'I'm alright.'

Eric's expression darkened.

'Good.'

'Stay inside.'

The Rolls-Royce came to a stop while the security SUVs surrounded the attacking vehicle.

Several bodyguards rushed out.

The masked driver attempted to reverse, but another SUV blocked the road behind him.

Seeing no escape, he abandoned the car and sprinted into a nearby construction site.

'Catch him!' Mason shouted.

The bodyguards chased after him without hesitation.

Eric remained beside Stella instead of joining the pursuit.

'The police will handle him,' he said calmly.

'Your safety comes first.'

A few minutes later, sirens filled the night.

Police officers quickly secured the scene.

One officer approached Eric respectfully.

'Mr. Chilton, the suspect escaped through the unfinished buildings.'

'However, we've recovered his vehicle.'

'We'll identify him soon.'

Eric simply nodded.

'Thank you.'

Meanwhile, Stella noticed a folded envelope lying on the rear seat floor.

'Eric... what's this?'

Neither of them remembered seeing it earlier.

Eric carefully opened the envelope while wearing gloves handed to him by one of the officers.

Inside was a single black card.

Written across it in silver ink were only five words.

'This is only the beginning.'

No signature.

No fingerprints.

Nothing else.

Eric quietly folded the card and handed it to the police.

'Send this for forensic analysis.'

'Immediately.'

'Yes, sir.'

Back at the Chilton Estate later that night, Mason entered Eric's study carrying the investigation report.

'The sedan was stolen three days ago.'

'The license plates were fake.'

'Whoever planned this was extremely careful.'

Eric stood silently before the large window overlooking the estate.

'What about Vivian?'

Mason hesitated.

'There's no evidence connecting her.'

'However...'

'One of her assistants disappeared this evening.'

Eric narrowed his eyes.

'Keep watching her.'

'Don't let her know she's being investigated.'

'Understood.'

At the Judd residence, Stella couldn't fall asleep.

She replayed the accident repeatedly in her mind.

She wasn't frightened by the attack itself.

Instead, she couldn't stop thinking about the moment Eric had instinctively protected her without caring about his own safety.

In her previous life, Noel had always chosen someone else first.

Tonight...

Eric had chosen her without even thinking.

As she gently touched the platinum bracelet on her wrist, her phone vibrated.

It was a message from Eric.

'Get some rest.'

'I'll make sure nothing like tonight ever happens again.'

Stella looked at the message for several seconds before smiling softly.

'Good night,' she replied.

But neither of them realized that somewhere across the city, inside a dimly lit office, a mysterious man watched security footage from the failed attack.

He slowly removed his glasses and smiled coldly.

'Eric Chilton...'

'Let's see how long you can protect her.'