Chapter 17: The Billionaire's Rescue

Rain hammered against the roof of the abandoned warehouse.

The heavy iron doors slammed shut behind the van.

Serenity's heart raced.

She looked around and realized the building was completely deserted.

"Where is the charity event?" she asked cautiously.

No one answered.

The driver climbed out of the vehicle and locked the doors from the outside.

Several men stepped out from the shadows.

Their expressions were cold.

"Mrs. York," one of them said with a smirk.

"Our boss has been waiting for you."

"Who is your boss?"

"You'll find out soon enough."

The warehouse lights flickered on.

High heels echoed across the concrete floor.

Victoria Lang slowly emerged from the darkness, holding an elegant black umbrella.

"Welcome, Serenity."

"I must admit... getting you here was easier than I expected."

Serenity stared at her.

"The charity organizer..."

"Was fake," Victoria interrupted with a smile.

"You really do trust people too easily."

"What do you want?"

"Simple."

"Leave Zachary."

"Sign divorce papers, disappear from Wiltspoon, and never come back."

"Otherwise..."

"Things could become very unpleasant."

Serenity took a steady breath.

"No."

Victoria laughed.

"You're brave."

"Or maybe foolish."

"I love my husband," Serenity replied firmly.

"I'm not leaving him because of threats."

The words made Victoria's expression turn icy.

"Then perhaps a few hours here will change your mind."

"Lock her inside."

"No food."

"No phone."

"Let's see how long Mrs. York stays confident."

The men moved toward Serenity.

Suddenly...

A loud screech of tires echoed outside.

Headlights illuminated the warehouse windows.

"Boss!" one guard shouted.

"Several black vehicles are approaching!"

Victoria frowned.

"Impossible."

"How did they find us so quickly?"

Outside...

A convoy of luxury SUVs surrounded the warehouse.

Dozens of York Corporation security officers jumped out.

Within seconds, they blocked every exit.

A black Rolls-Royce stopped at the entrance.

Its rear door opened.

Zachary stepped out.

His face was calm.

But his eyes burned with controlled fury.

"Break the doors," he ordered.

"Yes, Mr. York!"

Boom!

The warehouse doors burst open.

Security officers rushed inside.

"Protect Mrs. York!"

"Move!"

Victoria's men panicked.

"Run!"

"It's York Security!"

Several were tackled before reaching the exits.

Others surrendered immediately.

Victoria backed away in disbelief.

"No..."

"This wasn't supposed to happen."

Through the chaos, Zachary searched desperately.

"Serenity!"

"Serenity!"

"I'm here!"

Her voice echoed from across the warehouse.

The moment Zachary saw her, relief flooded his face.

He crossed the room in seconds.

"Are you hurt?"

"No."

"I'm alright."

"They didn't touch me."

Without thinking...

Zachary pulled her tightly into his arms.

He held her as though letting go would make her disappear.

"I was so worried," he whispered.

"When your message arrived..."

"I thought I'd lost you."

Serenity wrapped her arms around him.

"I'm safe now."

"Because you came."

For several long moments...

Neither of them moved.

Around them, the warehouse fell silent.

Even the security officers looked away, giving the couple privacy.

Victoria watched the scene with hatred burning in her eyes.

"Enough!" she screamed.

"She's just an ordinary woman!"

"Why are you risking everything for her?"

Zachary slowly turned toward Victoria.

His expression became colder than she had ever seen.

"Because she's my wife."

"And because I love her."

The words echoed through the warehouse.

Serenity froze.

Her heart skipped a beat.

It was the first time Zachary had spoken those words aloud.

"Take Miss Lang into custody," Zachary ordered.

"Kidnapping, criminal conspiracy, unlawful confinement..."

"Let the police handle the rest."

"Yes, Mr. York."

Officers placed Victoria in handcuffs.

"You can't do this!" she shouted.

"My father will never allow it!"

"Your father can't protect you anymore," Zachary replied calmly.

"This time... you've gone too far."

As Victoria was escorted away, she glared at Serenity with pure hatred.

"This isn't over!"

"You'll regret this!"

Serenity simply leaned closer to Zachary.

For the first time since their marriage...

She truly understood how deeply he cared for her.

And as he gently held her hand while leading her safely out of the warehouse...

She realized something else.

Somewhere along the way...

She had fallen completely in love with her husband.