Divorce Me Before Death Takes Me, CEO novel Chapter 408

Chapter 408

Rachel’s POV

I snatched the phone from Mom’s hand, my fingers trembling slightly as news alerts flooded the screen. Every major outlet was running with the same headline: violence at Parker Group’s underground garage.

Social media was blowing up with theories. Some claimed the dead were kidnappers, others insisted it must be a Parker executive. Police at the scene were tight-lipped, giving reporters the standard “ongoing investigation” line.

What caught my eye were the comments flooding in below the live videos:

“If it wasn’t someone important, why would police and Parker Group hide the identity?”

“Twenty minutes without a statement from Parker PR? Has to be Blake.”

“Parker Group’s communications team responds to everything within minutes. The silence speaks volumes.”

“Sources confirm Blake Parker at Mayo Clinic, fighting for his life!”

My stomach twisted as I stared at the screen. When I rushed downstairs to confront her, all I could think about was Blake. My future husband. The man I’d secretly wanted for years. Of course I was worried about him.

But after hearing Mom casually admit she’d planned to kill him, my perspective shifted dramatically.

Part of me – a cold, calculating part I barely recognized – actually hoped Blake was dead.

Not because I’d stopped caring for him. Not because I truly wanted him gone.

But because I had nowhere to run if Blake survived.

He’d wake up. He’d investigate. He’d discover I’d arranged Emma’s kidnapping, that Mom had hired people to kill him. And Blake Parker wasn’t known for

mercy.

This was the man who’d shipped his own sister and cousin overseas to brutal boarding schools just for bullying Audrey. What would he do to me and my family when he discovered we’d nearly killed him?

But if he died…

Marriage license already filed. Half his fortune would be mine by law. I’d control Parker Group through a grief-stricken Rebecca and Thalia. The thought made my heart race.

“Mom, I finally said, breaking the silence. “When I called Blake earlier, Evelyn answered. Said he was unconscious, being rushed to the hospital.”

I met her eyes. “But I couldn’t actually see him. I don’t know if he’s really injured and heading to the hospital, or if he’s already gone and they’re just covering it up.”

‘Did your people contact you after it happened? Tell you who actually died?”

Mom snapped her compact mirror shut with a sharp click. “I specifically told them not to reach out afterward. If Blake died, police would immediately check phone records.”

She reached for her phone. “Should I call them now to find out?”

“No,” I said quickly. “You were right about the records. Contacting them now would just create evidence linking you to whatever happened.”

I scrolled through my contacts and found my connection at Mayo Clinic. Taking a deep breath, I pressed call.

1/3

Chapter 408

“Miss Hayes?’

‘Has Blake Parker been admitted there?”

“Mr. Parker? Why would he be here? Is he ill?”

I pressed, “Wasn’t an ambulance just brought in from Parker Tower?”

‘One moment.” I heard typing. “Yes, Miss Hayes, an ambulance arrived about three minutes ago from Parker headquarters.”

I held my breath.

“But there was only a security guard with an arm injury and a woman accompanying him. No Blake Parker.

*The woman who is she?’ I asked.

“I believe the guard called her Mrs. Knox.”

“Could you send me a photo?”

The image showed a black-suited bodyguard with a bandaged arm sitting on an exam table. Beside him stood a woman in a beige dress checking his wound. Her face was tear-stained, eyes red-rimmed.

But what caught my attention was Blake’s custom diamond-encrusted phone peeking from her pocket.

Everything clicked into place, and relief flooded through me.

If Blake were fine, his phone wouldn’t be in her possession.

If Blake and Emma were alive, Evelyn would be with them, not tending to some random bodyguard.

Blake and the child must be dead, their bodies secured by police, leaving Evelyn with nothing but Blake’s phone.

I almost laughed out loud. This was perfect. Absolutely perfect.

If Blake was truly gone, I wouldn’t just escape his vengeance – I’d inherit his vast fortune. Blake had built Parker Group into something extraordinary after his father’s death. His personal wealth dwarfed even William Parker’s considerable estate.

*Thank you, Doctor,’ I said smoothly, ending the call.

I settled next to Mom, a small smile playing at my lips. “Mother, can I borrow some of your makeup? I need to look my best for the cameras today.”

Audrey’s POV

“You really don’t need to babysit me,” Jett muttered as I adjusted the bandage on his arm. ‘Your kid’s been through hell today. You should be with her.”

I gave him a tired smile. ‘Emma’s fine. What matters now is Blake’s safety.”

I secured the bandage, keeping my voice low. “Besides, I’m no doctor. I can’t help with his treatment. Might as well stay here with you and put on a little show for certain greedy individuals.”

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