The Billionaire's Mistake (Anya and Daniel)

Chapter 133: Getting him back

“Nothing serious,” Daniel assured her. “Luca and I are on our way back now. But Rosa…. what have you done? I’m hearing some wild stories about missing heirs and ultimatums.”

Anya shifted uncomfortably as though he were there. It seems what she had done had found ts way to him. If it had found its way to him, that means his family also knew. But she was not ashamed of what she did.

To his question, Anya snorted. “Let’s just say I’ve been keeping busy while you were away. I may

or may not have taken some people. Is that bad?”

Daniel’s chuckle was warm and familiar. “That’s my girl. I’ll see you soon, love.”

As the call ended, Anya took a deep breath, composing herself before turning back to face the captives. The coldness was back in her eyes, but there was a hint of satisfaction in her smile

now.

“Well, gentlemen,” she announced, “it seems today is your lucky day. Your fathers have seen reason, and my husband is safe. You’ll be released to your families shortly.”

The relief on the young men’s faces was palpable. But Anya wasn’t finished.

“However,” she continued, her tone sharpening, “it is best if your families are not so trusting

of the commission next time.”

How could Anya leave without showing discord? From torturing the boys, she had understood that the false information about them came from the commission. The commission manipulated them to

hunt down Daniel, or else small families like theirs would never dare.

She nodded to Marco and the other guards. “Get them ready for transport. I want them out of here within the hour.”

The sterile white walls of the private hospital room seemed to close in around the gardent a he digested the news.

His aide, a nervous young man named Paolo, stood at attention, waiting for acce

“Failed?” The president repeated, his voice barely above a whisper, “How the poster wo had four of the small idiot families working together. We had the element of surprise fou could they have failed?”

Paolo shifted uncomfortable. “It seems we underestimated both Daniel Shaw’s powers at his wife’s… character, sir. Not only did Shaw escape, but there were complications”

His words made the president frown. What could have possibly gone wrong? it was a pe plan.

The president’s eyes narrowed. “What kind of complications?”

“The heirs, sir. Anya Shaw somehow managed to capture the oldest sons of all four families involved. She used them as leverage to ensure her husband’s safe return.”

The president’s fist came down hard on the hospital tray, sending a glass of water crashing to the floor. Paolo flinched but remained silent.

“Just a little girl,” The president muttered, running a hand over his face. He looked older than his 62 years, the stress of recent events etching deep lines around his eyes. “It was just a little girl. Are you saying a little girl outsmarted them? Why did the intelligence director not factor all these in?”

“What should we do, sir?”

The president leaned back against his pillows, his mind racing. Everything had gone so wrong, so quickly.

He had thought that with Daniel Shaw out of the way, he could finally breathe easy and pick apart the Shaw family in their grief. The evidence that could destroy him–evidence of corruption, of deals made with the very criminals he publicly denounced–would be lost forever. But now….

“We need to accelerate our plans,” he said finally. “No more subtle maneuvering. It’s time to bring the full weight of the state against the Shaws. Prepare the necessary paperwork. I want raids, asset freezes, and the works. They may fight back, but I have the entire country. I do not believe I can bring down one family.”

Paolo nodded, already tapping notes into his tablet. “And the other families, sir? The ones whose heirs were taken?”

The president waved a dismissive hand. “They’ve proven themselves useless. Cut them loose. If they’re smart, they’ll distance themselves from this mess. If not…” He shrugged. “Well, there’s always room in our prisons.”

As

Paolo hurried out to put the new plans into motion, the president turned to stare out the window at the skyline. Somewhere out there, Daniel Shaw was celebrating his victory. But the game wasn’t over yet. Not by a long shot.

Anya was back at the hotel. The hotel had seen its share of dramatic reunions over the years, but few could match the intensity of the moment when Daniel Shaw stepped into the penthouse suite.

Anya, who had been pacing restlessly since returning from the warehouse, froze at the sight

of her husband. For a heartbeat, neither moved. Then, as if a spell had been broken, they rushed into each other’s arms.

“Daniel,” Anya breathed, burying her face in his chest. She could feel his heart beating, strong and steady–the most beautiful sound in the world.

Daniel’s arms tightened around her, his face pressed into her hair. “I’m here, baby. I’m here.”

They stood like that for a long moment, reaffirming each other’s presence, before Anya pulled back slightly. Her eyes, filled with unshed tears, quickly scanned her husband for injuries.

“You’re wounded,” she said, her voice catching as she noticed the makeshift bandage on his

arm.

Daniel managed a wry smile. “It’s nothing. Just a graze. Although I have to say, your welcome home present was quite something. Four heirs? You’ve been busy, my love.”

Anya’s expression shifted slightly. “It was just a little abduction; I did not even do anything.

“Remind me never to get on your bad side,” Daniel chuckled, but there was pride in his eyes. You did well, baby. Very well. But we’re not out of the woods yet. This attack… it’s definitely the president’s doing. We need to get back to the capital; regroup.”

Anya nodded, already shifting into planning mode. “I’ll have the chopper prepared. But first, you’re seeing a doctor. No arguments,” she added as Daniel opened his mouth to protest. “You have bled a lot. Get treated before I get angry.”

Daniel knew better than to argue when his wife used that tone. He allowed himself to be led to a nearby chair as Anya called for a private physician.

As the doctor worked on properly cleaning and bandaging his wound, Daniel filled Anya in on the details of the ambush and his narrow escape In turn she briefed him on the capture of the

Getting him bac

heirs and the subsequent negotiations.

“Four small families working together,” Daniel mused, wincing slightly as the doctor applied antiseptic. “That’s another level of stupid. Someone’s pulling strings behind the scenes, someone with enough power to trick them.”

Anya’s eyes met his, understanding passing between them. “The Commission was definitely used,” Anya said.

Daniel nodded grimly. “It has to be. This whole thing stinks of desperation. He must have found out that the safe is empty. But because of this, these small families will no longer trust the commission.” Content (C) Nôv/elDra/ma.Org.

“The package,” Anya said suddenly. “The one you had to retrieve from Shaina’s home. Has it been…?”

“I received word just before the ambush. Justin has it. I told him to meet us at the Rose Mansion.” Daniel’s eyes gleamed with anticipation. “Whatever secrets your father thought were worth dying for, we’ll know soon enough.”

After Daniel‘ was treated, he and Anya took the chopper back to the capital. By the time they returned, it was daytime.

As their helicopter landed in their backyard, Anya felt some of the tension of the past 24 hours begin to ease. They were home. They were safe. If she had been told that she would come to see this mansion as home, she would not have believed it.

When they walked in, Justin was waiting for them in the mansion’s grand foyer.