The Russian Billionaire's Secret Heir

Chapter 35

That same evening, as the sun dipped below the horizon, Chase found himself consumed by thoughts of Iris.

The image of her sitting in that coffee shop replayed in his mind like an endless loop, each repetition stirring a mix of hope and desperation within him.

He knew what he had seen was real; it wasn't a figment of his imagination or a trick of the light. It was Iris, the woman he had spent the last four years searching for, and the thought of her being so close yet so far gnawed at him.

Unable to shake the feeling, Chase grabbed his key and slipped out of his hotel room, the hallway dimly lit and quiet. The city outside was alive with energy, but all he could think about was that moment in the coffee shop.

He needed to see her again, needed to feel that spark of connection that had always pulled him toward her.

As he made his way through the bustling streets of New York, the cool night air hit him like a wave, refreshing yet unsettling.

He navigated through the familiar alleyways and avenues, the city lights reflecting off the pavement like a million stars

. Every corner he turned, every shadow he passed, he felt the weight of anticipation pressing on him.

When he finally reached the coffee shop, it was surprisingly quiet, the glow from the neon signs illuminating the entrance. Chase hesitated for a moment, his heart racing.

But Iris' presence was nowhere to be seen around the coffee shop. Chase clenched his fists, veins bulging as he fought to keep his temper in check.

A deep sigh escaped his lips, the frustration simmering just beneath the surface. His cellphone rang, and without glancing at the screen, he answered.

"Chase! Where the hell are you?!" Charles's voice blared through the receiver, urgent and sharp.

Chase remained silent for a moment, trying to steady his thoughts.

"Tell me where you are!" Charles demanded, his tone shifting from concern to irritation.

"Pissed off, Charles," Chase replied, irritation creeping into his voice.

"The guard told us you left without one of our men. What if something happens to you? Your father will kill us all," Charles warned, his voice laced with genuine worry.

"I'm fine, Charles. I can handle myself," Chase said, attempting to sound more composed than he felt.

"Don't tell me you went out to find her again," Charles said, disbelief coloring his words.

"What if I did?" Chase shot back, a mix of defiance and desperation bubbling up inside him.

"Chase, this is getting out of hand. You can't keep putting yourself at risk like this," Charles pressed, his concern turning into frustration. "You're a Russian mafia boss."

"She's not just anyone to me," Chase snapped, his voice thick with emotion. "I need her."

"Then what's your plan? Just stand there and hope she walks back into your life?" Charles challenged, his impatience rising.

Chase inhaled sharply, the weight of his friend's worries pressing down on him. "I won't stop looking for her. I can't," he declared, the resolve in his voice unmistakable.

"Just promise me you'll be careful," Charles said, the urgency in his tone softening slightly. "You don't know what kind of trouble you could attract."

"Yeah, well, maybe I don't care," Chase replied, cutting the call before Charles could respond.