Chapter 353: Chapter 137 Phoebe Under Attack
Gemma’s POV
"Something doesn’t feel right, Zander," I said, scanning the crowded family gathering for any flash of lime green. Phoebe had disappeared without explanation, and every instinct I’d developed since joining this world was screaming danger. "Why would Phoebe suddenly leave the celebration? It doesn’t make sense."
"I’m as concerned as you are, Gemma," Zander replied, his trained eyes continuously sweeping the crowd of made men and their associates. "But let’s not draw attention. Finding a woman in a bright lime green dress at a Thorne family event shouldn’t be this challenging."
"Maybe she stepped onto the terrace for air," I suggested, though doubt crept into my voice. I shared Zander’s unease but wanted to maintain hope. "Let’s check the outer grounds."
"I pray that’s all it is," Zander muttered, his expression revealing deeper concerns than he was admitting.
I studied his weathered face, noting the tension lines that spoke of too many battles fought. "What’s really eating at you, Zander?"
He rubbed his scarred neck anxiously. "I don’t know... you think she’s deliberately avoiding me?"
"Why would she be running from you?" I asked, genuinely confused.
"Why wouldn’t she?" His vulnerability caught me off guard. "Maybe I have some effect on women that sends them fleeing. My ex-fiancée disappeared shortly before we were supposed to be married."
I planted my hands firmly on my hips. "Zander, should I call Erica and Audrey over here to show you just how non-threatening women find you? Quite the opposite, actually."
A reluctant smile ghosted across his lips. "Please don’t. It took considerable maneuvering to escape their clutches. Those two were practically pawing at me like I was prime beef!"
"I seriously doubt Phoebe is running from you," I laughed, amused by his discomfort with feminine attention. "Let’s find her. She might be feeling unwell."
I signaled to Hunter, one of Dominic’s most trusted soldiers who was maintaining surveillance from a respectful distance. I showed him Phoebe’s photo on my phone and requested he coordinate with the other family security to locate her. He nodded curtly and moved to speak with his crew. Soon, one enforcer approached Hunter with urgent whispers before rushing away.
"Gemma..." Hunter returned to us with a grim expression that made my blood run cold.
"What is it? Did you find her?" I asked, already sensing the worst.
"She’s been assaulted. Follow me." He gestured toward a garden path, and Zander immediately reacted, practically dragging me along as he charged in the indicated direction.
"Assaulted? What happened to her?" Zander demanded, his voice tight with the kind of rage I’d learned to recognize in this world as we hurried behind Hunter.
"Thanks to your alert, we interrupted before anything worse occurred," Hunter explained as we moved swiftly. "But the young lady is severely traumatized."
He guided us along a stone pathway behind the family compound to a secluded garden area surrounded by high ornamental hedges. There sat Phoebe on a wrought iron bench, sobbing uncontrollably, her makeup streaked down her cheeks, desperately holding the torn fabric of her dress against her chest. Two family soldiers flanked her, one attempting comfort while the other maintained watch for additional threats. Zander rushed to her side.
"Christ, Phoebe," he pulled her into his protective embrace. "What happened, sweetheart?"
"Zander," was all she managed through her tears as she clung to him like a lifeline.
I turned to the soldiers. "What exactly went down? Have you identified who did this?"
"Yes, ma’am," one enforcer replied grimly. "When we arrived, we found Marcus forcing himself on her, trying to kiss her while she fought back. He ripped her dress during the attack. Fortunately, we reached them before the situation could escalate further, thanks to your instruction to search for her."
"That bastard is a cancer," I said, watching Zander cradle Phoebe protectively. "Did you grab him? How did he even get onto family grounds?"
"It’s a large gathering, ma’am," the soldier answered, sweat forming on his brow under my scrutiny. "Security may have been compromised. He possibly entered with catering staff or slipped through during shift change. We’re reviewing surveillance footage and sweeping the entire property, but he vanished when we approached."
I immediately contacted Dominic, requesting he bring Gerard without causing alarm among the guests. They arrived soon after.
"Gemma, what’s the situation?" Dominic asked, his face darkening with the promise of violence.
"Marcus attacked Phoebe," I explained. "Our people stopped the worst of it, but she’s badly shaken."
"That piece of garbage needs to be eliminated," Gerard snarled, loosening his tie and barking orders to nearby soldiers. After dispatching teams, he knelt beside Phoebe and assessed her condition. "Let’s move to the main house. She needs privacy and medical attention. Gemma, will you stay with her?"
"Absolutely, Gerard. I won’t leave her alone," I promised. Phoebe remained too shaken to walk, so Zander carefully lifted her into his arms. We took a discreet route to avoid the curious eyes of family members and associates.
Once inside the compound’s main residence, Gerard directed us to a secure guest room. Zander gently placed Phoebe on the bed, and I requested medical supplies and fresh clothing. Gerard left to coordinate these arrangements, sending staff to bring brandy and water as well. As I watched Phoebe’s trembling form, fury built inside me like molten steel. How many more innocents would suffer before Marcus was finally put down permanently?
