CHAPTER 316: THE MAN IN HIS TRAGIC PAST

After the video call with Vladimir, the kidnappers dragged Athena back to the room where Dominique was still bound. Her footsteps were unsteady, and her wrists bore fresh red marks from the ropes.

"All done for now. We will just wait for our Boss’s instructions for the next steps." They shoved her inside, tying her back to her previous chair.

"Haha. Your time is running out. You can savor your last moments with each other," one guy said mockingly before slamming the door shut behind him.

Dominique immediately looked up, relief flooding his face at the sight of her. "Are you alright?" he asked her worriedly. "Did they hurt you?"

Athena shook her head, however, her eyes were burned with tears. The terror she felt when they dragged her away from Dominique still lingered in her chest.

Being separated from him had terrified her more than she expected. For a brief moment, she thought she’d never see him again.

Then her anxiety intensified further when she saw Vladimir earlier. It turned out they had only taken her to show Vladimir that she was still alive. It was a cruel tactic to pressure him into cooperating.

Through that video call, they made their threats clear. If he wanted Athena to live, he had to fulfill their demands quickly.

She wanted to tell him not to trust the kidnappers, however, her mouth was sealed, preventing her from speaking to him.

But unknown to Vladimir and others, the kidnappers never intended to let Athena go. Their real goal was far more twisted.

Once they had what they wanted, they would kill her and make it look like Dominique was the one responsible. In this fabricated story, Dominique would be the scapegoat, the perfect villain in a carefully staged crime.

"They let me see Vladimir. What they truly want is our company," she informed him, her voice trembling. "I think Vladimir and my brother are going to prepare the transfer of shares..."

"However, they are clueless that they planned on killing us both even if they would comply with the demand. I couldn’t tell them..."

"Shhhhh. Don’t think too much about it. I know Vladimir will do everything to save you. Don’t lose hope, Athena." Dominique tried to encourage and comfort her once again. He could see in her eyes that she was on the verge of giving up.

"I know my presence here is not enough to lessen your fear. I’ll make sure to protect you while I’m still alive. They have to kill me first... before they can touch you," Dominique said with conviction. He tried to stretch his hand to touch hers.

Athena just looked at her silently, her face filled with complicated emotions. Her lips parted slightly, as if she wanted to speak, but no words came.

She had to admit that the sheer panic she felt earlier had started to fade the moment she saw Dominique again. His words had comforted her more than she expected.

Maybe it was desperation. Maybe it was the hopelessness of their situation. Or maybe... it was something else entirely.

’Do I still trust his words? After learning the truth, am I starting to believe him again? Is my heart beginning to soften toward him? Is my hatred for him slowly fading?’ Athena pondered to herself, her gaze falling on Dominique’s hand that was touching hers.

She finally put on a faint smile, trying to calm herself. Dominique was glad to see her smile. Athena was his solace in this desperate situation.

"Dom... if this is our last moment together, I think this is the right time to tell me everything. Tell me what my father did to you. I want to hear the truth." Athena urged him to speak up and reveal his past story.

Dominique fell silent for a moment, contemplating what he should tell her. ’I can’t reveal everything. I don’t want to hurt her. But I can tell her part of the truth.

"My parents owned a small business in Vozton City," Dominique began quietly.

"Your father approached them to propose a partnership. They were preparing to launch a major project together. But then... your father betrayed them. He stole my father’s project proposal and claimed it as his own."

He paused, his jaw tightening as he fought to keep his voice steady. Athena listened to him attentively, her eyes fixed on his face.

"Not long after that, my parents and my sister died in a car accident. And for a long time... I think I just needed someone to blame. So I blamed your father for everything. For the betrayal. For the loss. For the pain."

"I did everything to get close to your father so that I could also steal his precious company as part of my revenge."

Dominique didn’t mention the full truth. He was deliberately shielding Athena from the darkest part of it. He couldn’t bring himself to tarnish the image she held of her father. Not now. Not when she was already suffering.

Meanwhile, Athena didn’t know what to feel upon hearing those words from Dominique. Part of her felt sorry for him. However, she wasn’t convinced that Dominique’s resentment toward her family was justifiable.

"You did all of that just because you needed someone to blame?" Athena said, her voice trembling beneath a bitter smile.

"Your parents and sister died in an accident... and yet, you still chose to take revenge on my father—and on me," she spat back at him.

She paused, her gaze locked on his, filled with a quiet ache.

"I guess... your love for me wasn’t strong enough to set aside your need for revenge. And honestly... the reason for your revenge feels so shallow."

Dominique could only look down, his fists clenched tightly. "Yeah... I guess so," he murmured, his voice barely audible.

There was a moment of silence between them after he spoke up. The atmosphere suddenly became awkward for both of them.

It did not take long before the door was pushed open again. The three men entered the room.

"Boss, we’ve done negotiating with Vladimir. We only have to wait for him to comply with our demand." The man spoke to their leader.

Dominique and Athena gazed at the leader who had just entered the room. Like the others, he wore a mask, but there was something different about him—something commanding. He was taller and more powerfully built than the rest, and his very presence radiated authority.

He stopped midway the moment his gaze fell on Dominique’s face. There was a hint of recognition in his eyes. Then a sinister smile formed on his lips.

"It took me so long before I finally recognized you..." The leader said, letting out a mocking laugh.

Meanwhile, Dominique’s face turned pale, but his eyes burned with fury. That voice—it was unmistakable, chillingly familiar. He couldn’t be wrong.

It was him, the same person who accompanied Albert Williams the night they attacked his home. He had never forgotten that man. Even if he covered his face, his voice gave away his identity.

"It was you!" Dominique mumbled through his gritted teeth.

"Hahaha! Oh, so you remember me as well," the man sneered. "Our little boy grew up so fast. Haha! You’re no longer the crybaby I remember. Honestly, I’m still surprised you survived that night."

His mocking words confirmed Dominique’s suspicion. This was indeed the same man. The one who had stood by Albert Williams, the one who had helped destroy his life.