The Billionaire Who Stole My Heart

Noel stood in silence, his emotions a fortress that none could breach. It wasn't until his uncle, Graham Tanner, hustled through the door that the walls came crashing down.

Seeing Noel's tear-streaked face, Graham rushed to embrace his nephew.

Choking back sobs, Noel clung to him. "Uncle, my brother's gone. I don't have a brother anymore...'

The assistant's eyes welled up with tears at the sight. She had worked with Noel for years, yet this was the first time she witnessed his unguarded anguish, his face awash with grief like a dam burst open, the pain palpable and piercing.

She discreetly slipped out of the room to spare him any further embarrassment.

They spent the entire night together, ensconced in the solemnity of their shared sorrow.

As dawn broke, Graham emerged.

The assistant approached immediately. "Mr. Tanner, how's Noel?"

"Asleep," came the gravelly reply.

"Take me to the police station," Graham demanded. He was determined to unearth every last detail of this tragedy.

"Right away."

Graham, the patriarch of the Tanner family, had rushed over after their venerable old man was hospitalized from the shock of Isaac's demise. It was paramount for Graham to get to the bottom of this catastrophe.

Arriving at the station, they found Leila in the midst of her interrogation. She was confessing to everything- the abduction of Brittany, the sabotage of the car brakes. She knew the kidnappers had to be silenced; leaving them alive would mean leaving evidence.

Through the glass, Graham absorbed each word, each admission. The pain was almost too much to bear.

His sister had died young, leaving behind two boys who had just begun to find their footing in the world, only for one to be cruelly snatched away in his prime. The torment was unbearable.

The police confirmed through traffic surveillance that Isaac had taken the driver's seat in a desperate attempt to save Brittany, resulting in the car tumbling down the hill, swallowed by darkness.

"Mr. Tanner, based on the evidence, Leila will be prosecuted and could face the death penalty."

"Good."

Graham's fury was unyielding, and he made his stance crystal clear. "Even though the Tanner family isn't from Craneville, should you fail to provide satisfactory justice, we will not hesitate to escalate matters." The officer mopped his brow. "Understood, sir."

With the clout of the Tanner family and the pressure from the Lynette family, Leila had no escape.

Leaving the station, Graham's thoughts finally turned to the niece-in-law he had yet to meet. "Where's Brittany Lynette?"

"Mr. Tanner, Ms. Lynette suffered a head injury and is still hospitalized," the assistant informed softly. "From what we've heard, her condition isn't promising. Are you sure you want to see her now?" The Lynettes had sealed off all news, leaving only whispers of her critical state.

"Zac sacrificed his life for her. How could I not see her?"

Anger simmered in Graham. It was rare for him to lose his cool, and the assistant, unable to withstand his intensity, quickly arranged a meeting with the Lynette family. They agreed to talk before introducing him to Brittany.

The rendezvous was set at the hospital where Brittany was being cared for.

Yuri had been waiting for Graham's arrival. "Mr. Tanner, your reputation precedes you."

Graham's expression was icy. "Where is Brittany?"Nôvel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner.

Yuri had mentally prepared for this. He dismissed the others and poured a cup of coffee for Graham. "Mr. Tanner, we all regret the tragic turn of events. As for Zac's funeral arrangements, whether the Lynette o Tanner family handles them, I have no objections. He died trying to save my daughter. Whatever compensation the Tanner family desires, we're willing to discuss."

"Do you think I'm here for your money?" Graham scoffed, his cold stare piercing. "I want to see Brittany!"

"Meeting her is possible," Yuri said evenly, "but you must not mention Isaac."

"Why not?"

"She... she's forgotten the events that transpired before."