William Vance stood at the window of his mansion, watching the city lights flicker in the distance. The call about Isabelle Ashworth's kidnapping had shaken him more than he cared to admit. Something was shifting in Havenwood City, something dark and dangerous.
"Sir?" His butler appeared at the door. "Your car is ready."
William nodded, his expression solemn. "I'm leaving for my country estate. I need some distance from... whatever is about to happen here."
"Wise choice, sir. Should I inform anyone of your departure?"
"No," William said firmly. "Let them think I'm still in the city. It's safer that way."
As his car pulled away from his mansion, William couldn't shake the image of Liam Knight's face when he received that call—the transformation from composed businessman to something altogether more primal and dangerous.
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