A Journey from Bitterness to Truth (Matilda and Yvan) novel Chapter 302

One night, Yvan received a chilling text message containing a photo of Ella Archer. Since the last incident where Ella was kidnapped right from the police station, Yvan had washed his hands of her due to her actions. But the sight of Ella's battered image on his phone shook him to the core.

Without a second thought, he asked Carl to trace the number's IP address. Carl's findings pointed overseas, just like before. It seemed someone abroad had taken Ella and was now sending him these photos. What was their motive?

Another message came in ten minutes later from the same number, bearing a cryptic message: "Justice is served, the eyes of heaven see everything." The phrase stopped Yvan in his tracks, pondering its deeper meaning. Did it imply Ella had secrets unknown to him?

That very night, a group dressed in black dropped a duffel bag in the Boyd family's garden and quickly disappeared into the darkness. The next morning, the Boyd's housekeeper discovered the bag, moving slightly. To their horror, it contained a bloodied Ella.

Recognizing her immediately, they checked for a pulse and, finding her barely alive, carried her inside shouting for Mr. Boyd. Yvan was taken aback upon seeing Ella in such a state, immediately connecting it to the earlier message. What had happened to her since her abduction?

"Get her stabilized and let her rest in the basement," he instructed, deciding to wait for her to regain consciousness before interrogating her. Without another glance at Ella, Yvan grabbed his phone and left for work, the incident seemingly not affecting his daily life.

However, once he left, someone sneaked out from the Boyd residence and sent a message: "Master, Yvan has gone to work. Ella has been brought back."

"Keep watching," was the reply.

...

When Declan heard about Ella's return to the Boyd residence, he couldn't help but tease Yvan during a business meeting. "So, you've taken your old flame back?"

"Not exactly," Yvan replied, rubbing his temples. "There are things I need to ask her once she wakes."

Declan, making himself a cup of instant coffee—a habit he picked up after Chloe Wilson left—commented on Yvan's pragmatic approach. "So, you've finally seen things clearly? Or did you realize Ella was just chasing Rachel's shadow?"

Yvan, tapping on the desk, looked impeccable in his suit. "Let's focus on the main issue. Have you made any progress on the investigation from five years ago?"

Declan, hiding a smile, picked up a stack of documents. "Using my connections to dig up dirt from five years ago, and you're asking what's in it for me?"

"What do you want in return?" Yvan remained cool, despite needing Declan's help.

Declan chuckled, "Never mind, I'm not interested in you that way. But if I ever do, you'll be the first to know."

Yvan, fighting the urge to throw his coffee at Declan, grabbed the documents. "Keep your jokes to yourself. If there's a breakthrough, maybe I'll cut you in on the last deal."

Their exchange, filled with banter and veiled concerns, hinted at deeper undercurrents and unresolved mysteries tying their fates together.