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Novel Catalog
Chapter 170
The gap between their faces closed inch by inch. Hera could already feel Nash’s breath—warm and rhythmic—fanning gently against her skin.
She closed her eyes slowly, her long lashes trembling like butterfly wings.
Just as her lips were about to brush his—
A strong arm wrapped firmly around her waist.
Startled, Hera’s entire body froze. Her eyes flew open, only to meet Nash’s teasing smile.
He wasn’t asleep.
She panicked, arms stiff on the mattress, ready to retreat—but his other hand gently cradled the back of her head, preventing her escape.
He’s awake… He saw everything!
Embarrassment surged through her, her face turning crimson.
Nash leaned in, voice low and magnetic. “Were you trying to steal a kiss from me?”
“I… I wasn’t… I just…” Hera stammered, completely flustered.
But Nash didn’t give her a chance to explain. With a bit more pressure, he pulled her down into a kiss.
Hera’s thoughts scattered. Her eyes fluttered shut again, every nerve on high alert as heat bloomed in her chest.
Nash, emboldened by the wine from earlier and intoxicated by her orchid-like scent, responded with deep affection. Hera, overwhelmed, melted against him. The tension in her limbs vanished, and her hands slipped from the mattress as she leaned fully into his embrace.
The atmosphere thickened. Nash gently eased her onto the bed, his intentions growing more urgent.
Hera gripped the edge of her nightgown, toes curling in nervous anticipation.
But just as the moment teetered on the edge of no return—
Ring—
Her phone lit up on the bedside table.
Then Nash’s phone buzzed too.
“I-It’s a call…” Hera whispered breathlessly, eyes fluttering open. “Let’s answer it…”
Nash ignored her, his lips grazing the curve of her neck. She shivered, distracted, until her gaze caught the name on the screen.
Helena.
Her heart skipped a beat. Helena hadn’t contacted her in years—not since school.
Nash, also glancing over, saw the name on her screen and frowned.
“She had to call now? What a coincidence…” His voice carried a hint of irritation. “Feels like she did it on purpose.”
Reluctantly, he pulled away and reached for his own phone.
Caller ID: Harrison.
A sense of unease crept in. Something wasn’t right.
Both answered their phones at the same time.
Within moments, their expressions changed.
Something had happened at the Lewis family estate.
“Mr. Harrison, calm down. Talk slowly…”
“Your father and the others hadn’t even been home for long—then seven of the villas exploded at the same time!” Harrison’s voice was frantic. “We heard it all the way from Baroque headquarters!”
Nash sat up straight, immediately flicking the light back on.
“I tried calling my dad and uncle, but no one’s answering,” Harrison continued breathlessly. “Lauren and I are already on the way. You and Hera need to hurry!”
“We’ll leave now.”
Nash was already throwing on his clothes, his expression dark and sharp. He didn’t speak, but his thoughts were racing.
The Lewis estate had nearly a hundred bodyguards. For this kind of attack to occur—it was no ordinary accident. Someone had planned this well.
The Kleins… Could they have found something?
Hera ended her own call with trembling fingers. Helena had confirmed the same: the estate was in ruins. Explosions. Fire. Chaos.
She sat frozen on the bed, stunned, her mind blank.
Nash pulled a set of clothes from the closet and tossed them to her. “Get dressed. We’re going back now.”
—
At the Lewis estate, seven luxury villas had been reduced to smoldering wreckage. One of the tallest structures still roared with flames.
The sky was filled with smoke and the flashing lights of emergency vehicles. Sirens wailed as fire trucks and ambulances clustered at the scene.
Jupiter and Angelica were directing rescue efforts, shouting orders amidst the chaos.
“Where’s Dad?! Has anyone found the old man?” Harrison barked, face ashen, eyes red.
Several relatives shook their heads, their expressions grim.
Without a second thought, Harrison tore off his coat, soaked it under a nearby fire hydrant, and threw it over his head. Then he charged toward the burning villa.
Firefighters had tried multiple times to breach the flames, but the inferno forced them back again and again. Worse, the building’s structural supports had already given way.
The entire villa was seconds from collapse.