Rebirth: 100 Days Before Doomsday-Chapter 219: The Woman who Fooled Him

The sound of a sharp click made its way to Davian’s ears and his instincts immediately screamed, alerting him.

But before he could react, a smoke grenade exploded between him and the woman, filling the air with thick white fog.

"Shit."

He tightened his hold on her arm, but she was faster than he anticipated.

A sharp movement, a twist of her wrist... and she was gone, leaving him stunned.

He coughed against the smoke. His vision was blurred as he scanned the area, trying to look for her. His men were already moving, but she had disappeared into the haze like a ghost.

"Find her!" he barked, his patience snapping.

But by the time the smoke cleared, she had vanished completely.

- - -

Later That Night – Military Base

Davian was sitting in the command center, staring at the surveillance footage from the mission. His fingers tapped against the desk as he rewound the clip over and over.

That woman.

He had been unable to stop thinking about her. The moment she had looked at him, there had been something in her eyes.

Not fear.

Not gratitude.

Intelligence.

She had played him.

And he hated it.

"Sir," one of his officers entered the office room. "Still no trace of the hostage. It’s like she disappeared into thin air."

Davian exhaled through his nose, rubbing his jaw.

Of course she had.

Because she had never been a hostage. At this point, he was sure of one thing - she was one of them.

And she had fooled him.

He should have been furious, and he was... to some point... as this was the first time in years when he had been played like this by someone.

For the first time, he felt like he had met a tough opponent. A smirk slowly made its way to his lips.

His mission might have ended, and he would be leaving the military in a few days. But he was determined to find her.

* * *

Three Months Later – Parker Business Empire Building

The sleek office of Parker Business Empire’s CEO was filled with the soft hum of a city skyline at dusk.

Floor-to-ceiling windows were framed with a breathtaking view of towering skyscrapers, but Davian barely spared it a glance. He leaned back in his leather chair, absently rolling a fountain pen between his fingers as he listened - halfheartedly - to his grandfather ranting on the other end of the call.

"You are twenty-six, Davian! I was already married at your age!" Grandfather Parker’s deep, authoritative voice carried a mixture of frustration and exasperation. "I built an empire with my wife by my side. And here you are, rejecting every single woman I introduce to you!"

Davian sighed, rubbing his temple. He was only twenty-six, not thirty-six, but he dare not say it to the old man. "Grandfather, I just took over a multi-billion corporation. Maybe you let me handle that first before worrying about my nonexistent love life?"

"Nonsense!" The old man huffed. "You need a strong partner, someone who will stand beside you and keep you grounded. I have been patient, but my patience is running out."

Davian bit back a groan. Ever since he had taken over Parker Business Empire three months ago, Grandfather Parker had been relentless about getting him married.

Every week, new profiles of handpicked ’suitable’ women were sent to his desk. Every other day, his secretary Rio had to cancel blind dates that he never agreed to in the first place.

And yet, the old man refused to give up.

"I have already selected three final candidates," Grandfather Parker continued. "You will pick one to meet, Davian. No more excuses. If you refuse this time, I swear on my late wife’s name, I will leave the country and never return!"

Davian stopped himself from rolling his eyes at the threat. "That’s dramatic, even for you."

"Do not test me, boy."

And then... the line went dead.

Davian exhaled sharply, tossing the pen onto his desk. It seemed like the old man was really at his limit this time.

A soft knock at the door interrupted his thoughts. "Come in," he called, already knowing who it was.

A second later, Rio stepped inside, holding a sleek black folder. "I assume your grandfather just called?"

Davian shot him a flat look. "You assume correctly."

Rio smirked as he placed the folder on the desk. "He sent over the final three candidates. Said if you don’t pick one, he’s booking a one-way ticket to Blue Islands."

"Unbelievable," Davian muttered. He had refused so many women already - socialites, heiresses, successful entrepreneurs. But Grandfather Parker wasn’t giving up.

"Not interested," he said, pushing the folder away.

Rio merely smiled knowingly. "You might want to look this time."

Davian raised an eyebrow. "And why is that?"

"One of the candidates is your grandfather’s absolute favorite. Apparently, she helped him win an argument against a bunch of high schoolers a while back. Since then, he’s been obsessed with her, saying she’s sharp-witted, intelligent, and the only one worthy of being a Parker."

Davian scoffed. "That still doesn’t make me interested."

Rio smirked. "Maybe. But there’s no loss in taking a look."

Something in Rio’s tone made Davian pause. With mild curiosity, he pulled the folder toward him and flipped it open.

The moment his eyes landed on the first file, his entire body went still.

Green eyes. Long auburn hair. And a striking yet unreadable expression.

It was her.

The woman from his last mission.

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The hostage who had fooled him. The one who vanished into the night, leaving him with more questions than answers.

Her names was - Grace... Grace Blackwood.

His pulse kicked up slightly as he stared at the photo. Unlike the last time he had seen her, she wasn’t in torn clothing or bound in fake captivity. Here, she was poised, composed, dressed in a perfectly tailored blazer. She looked every bit like a high-society woman, someone who belonged in elegant galas and exclusive business circles.

But he knew better.

She was anything but ordinary.

"Well," Rio mused, watching his reaction closely, "judging by that look on your face, I assume this one finally interests you?"

Davian closed the folder with a slow smirk.

"Call my grandfather," he said smoothly. "Tell him I have made my choice."

Rio’s eyes widened slightly. "You are actually agreeing to this?"

Davian stood up, slipping his hands into his pockets as he glanced out the window. A familiar thrill coursed through him.

She had escaped him once.

But not this time.