The Billionaire Who Stole My Heart (Brittany and Isaac) novel Chapter 1235

Before Kari could even get a word out, Ronald yanked her arm, whispering urgently, "Shh, don't make a peep. Follow me!"

Kari snapped her mouth shut and followed Ronald as they ran for it, the sound of footsteps thundering behind them.

Suddenly, Kari had an idea. Remembering a secret spot she'd found not too long ago, she urged, "Ron, this way!"

They weaved through alleys until they reached a makeshift doggie door, beyond which was a wall.

"Over here," Kari gestured towards the back.

Despite her sweet look, Kari was a master at climbing. Both she and Ronald scaled the wall in no time, landing on the other side, which opened up to a bustling street.

They kept their guard up, crossing the busy street to reach an abandoned factory once known as one of the biggest in the area but had fallen into disrepair over the years.

"Kari, what is this place?"

"I stumbled upon it a while back," Kari said with a grin. "It's perfectly secluded yet central. We'll be safe here."

Ronald breathed a sigh of relief.

"How did those guys find your place?"

"My mom's gone."

Ronald looked worried. Despite Calista's shortcomings, she was his mother. The thought of something bad happening to her made him uneasy.

Kari gasped, "Ron, I've heard those guys mean trouble. You don't think your mom—"

She was cut off by a massive explosion outside the factory!

Ronald realized something was horribly wrong and bolted outside.

"Ronald—"

Kari followed closely behind.

A thick plume of smoke rose into the sky, the explosion echoing through the city. The air was filled with the smell of gasoline, dizzying and overwhelming.

It belonged to Calista!

Kari noticed the bracelet too and glanced at Ronald, speechless.

That was Calista's favorite bracelet, a simple gift from Ronald's father that she cherished deeply and rarely took off.

Ronald stared at the bracelet, his body shaking uncontrollably as the reporter's voice filled the air.

They made their way back to the alley in a daze, only to be stopped by Willa, who appeared frantic, "Don't go in there, the Malone family's people are swarming the place."

"Mom, the Malones?" Ronald's face went pale.

Willa nodded, "They're going door to door, searching. It's not safe for Ronald to go home right now."

Ronald, still in shock, managed to ask, "What about Mom?"

Willa, unaware of Calista's presence at the explosion site, shook her head, "Your mom left around noon, said something about a great opportunity..."