Chapter 14 - The Stolen Child Plot
As Della entered her seventh month of pregnancy, the Calloway estate was filled with joyous preparations for both the upcoming royal-style wedding and the arrival of their baby girl.
Della’s belly was now a beautiful, proud curve. She spent her days designing the nursery, selecting soft pink crib sheets, and working with top charity directors to oversee the launch of the Marsh Global Relief Fund.
Royce was entirely devoted to her. He insisted on attending every single prenatal doctor appointment, holding her hand while watching the ultrasound monitor with awe as their daughter grew larger and healthier each week.
However, beneath the surface of peace, Royce’s security network remained on high alert.
One evening, Marcus walked into Royce’s private study, locking the door behind him.
"Boss, we intercepted an encrypted communication on the dark web today," Marcus reported, his face grave. "It seems a former high-ranking lieutenant of Victor Falcone named Dante is assembling a crew of mercenaries."
Royce looked up from his desk, his eyes hardening. "Dante? I thought he fled to Europe after Falcone was arrested."
"He came back secretly three days ago," Marcus explained. "He's broke, bitter, and blaming you for the destruction of the Falcone syndicate. He's offering five million dollars on underground forums to anyone who can help him carry out a high-profile kidnapping."
Royce stood up slowly, his tall frame radiating a cold, dangerous aura. "He's targeting Della."
"Specifically, the baby," Marcus said quietly. "Dante knows Della is entering her third trimester. He plans to strike when she leaves the estate for her weekly checkup at St. Jude’s Private Hospital."
Royce walked over to the window, his jaw set in stone. "He thinks he can use my family to force me to give back Falcone’s seized assets."
"Should we cancel all her hospital appointments and bring the medical equipment directly to the estate, Boss?" Marcus asked.
Royce thought for a moment, his eyes narrowing with a brilliant, lethal calculation. "No. If we stay locked inside the estate, Dante will just wait and strike when Della goes into labor. We end this now."
"What's the plan, Boss?"
"We let Dante think his plan is working," Royce said, a dark smile touching his lips. "Set the trap. We will leak false security schedules for her appointment tomorrow afternoon. But when Dante steps out of the shadows... he will find out what happens when you threaten a king's family."
The next afternoon, a three-vehicle armored convoy departed from the Calloway estate, heading toward St. Jude’s Hospital.
Inside the middle SUV sat Della, wrapped in a comfortable cashmere coat, accompanied by two female medical guards. She was aware of the security operation—Royce had hidden nothing from her, trusting her completely.
As the convoy turned into the underground parking garage of the hospital, a heavy black delivery truck suddenly surged forward from a hidden parking bay, crashing directly into the front escort vehicle!
BOOM!
Tires screeched as three dark vans pulled up, blocking the exit! A dozen heavily armed mercenaries in ski masks jumped out, weapons raised, led by Dante!
"Get the girl from the middle vehicle!" Dante barked into his radio. "Move! Move! Move!"
The mercenaries rushed the middle SUV, blowing open the doors with controlled explosive charges!
Dante grinned maniacally, reaching into the smoke to grab the pregnant woman sitting in the backseat—
Suddenly, the 'pregnant woman' turned around, pulling off her wig to reveal Marcus!
Before Dante could scream, Marcus slammed a heavy elbow directly into Dante’s face, shattering his nose!
BANG! BANG! BANG!
From every floor of the parking garage, dozens of elite Calloway syndicate operatives poured out of hiding, completely surrounding Dante’s mercenary squad!
Within thirty seconds, every single mercenary was pinned to the cold concrete floor in handcuffs!
Dante lay bleeding on the ground, spitting blood as heavy footsteps echoed through the quiet garage.
Royce walked out from behind a concrete pillar, holding a silent pistol. He stepped on Dante’s chest, pressing his boot down until Dante groaned in agony.
"You thought you could touch my wife and daughter?" Royce whispered, his voice like grinding steel.
"Calloway... please..." Dante wheezed, terror filling his eyes. "It was just business!"
"No, Dante," Royce sneered, coldness radiating from his very soul. "This is family."
Royce looked at Marcus. "Hand them over to the federal authorities. Tell them these are the remaining fugitives from the Falcone crime syndicate."
As the police sirens wailed in the distance, Royce stepped into a secondary, unmapped vehicle where the real Della was sitting safely behind bulletproof glass, sipping warm tea.
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When Royce opened the door, Della smiled warmly at him. "Is it over?"
Royce climbed in beside her, pulling her close into his arms and kissing her forehead tenderly. "It's completely over, my love. There are no shadows left in this city."
