The Heiress Spoiled by Four Brothers and One Devilish CEO-Chapter 297 Don’t forget the five-year promise

Chapter 297: Chapter 297 Don’t forget the five-year promise

Karl frowned. "Luna and I were in a rush to save you, didn’t really think it through. But since Megan made that call, it means she was fully prepared. If she really wants to disappear, there’s no way we can track her down."

"You’re better than me at digging into leads," Tristan said, gripping his shoulders. "Check her movements again. Maybe there’s a clue we missed."

Karl looked troubled. "Megan’s skills outclass mine. She’s the top hacker out there. If she means to vanish, then yeah—good luck finding her."

He let out a sigh. "Still, I’ll give it another go."

Just then, a parrot wearing a diaper flapped over and landed on Tristan’s shoulder. "Cyber queen! Megan, cyber queen!"

Tristan gave a sideways glance at Samuel. "Pretty sure it’s cyber lunatic in her case."

Samuel pulled a face. "...You’re seriously savage for someone who just woke up."

They all headed into Samuel’s room. Karl took a seat in front of the desk, fingers flying across the keyboard.

Lines of code streamed across the screen, but soon they were replaced with garbled text. Something had triggered a trap.

He pressed a hand to his head, exhaling long and low through his nose. "She’s built a fortress around it. I can’t crack the wall."

He stood, walked around the chair, and looked straight at Tristan. "Sorry, man. Unless she takes it down herself, I’ve got no way in. She must have her reasons."

Tristan looked devastated, gripping the back of the chair tightly. "Why does it have to be five years? She’s still pregnant. How’s she supposed to go through that alone?"

His gaze shifted to Karl. "This has Mr. Ford written all over it. I’m going to Northriver."

Luna, teasing the parrot, chimed in, "To see my dad?"

Samuel exploded. "Wait, that old man’s your dad? If he hadn’t blocked you and Karl from treating Tristan, would this whole mess even exist? Megan’s missing because of him! What kind of twisted move did he pull on her?!"

Luna pouted, "Ugh, you’re such a jerk! Luna officially doesn’t like you! That old man’s still my dad, you know. Stop trash-talking him!"

Then she slapped a hand over her mouth. "Did I really just call him that?"

Karl cut in with a glance at Samuel. "Enough. He’s her father—don’t push it too far. We really don’t know the full story, so let’s not jump to conclusions."

Oliver gave Samuel a sharp look. "She saved Tristan, remember? And now you’re throwing shade at her dad with zero proof? That’s just wrong."

Jason joined in, "Your mouth always gets you into trouble. Megan’s not reckless—she’s a mom now. She’d never risk the baby just to save Tristan."

Brandon adjusted his glasses. "I’m with Jason on this. Megan wouldn’t make a rash decision like that. Let’s keep calm and focus. Tomorrow we all head to Northriver. No matter where she’s hiding, we won’t stop until we find her."

Samuel gave a sniffle. "She was gone for years, and now she’s leaving again. Seriously, does the universe just hate them?"

Right then, a massive thunderclap shook the room, lightning slicing through the tree outside the window.The crown of the poplar had been blasted into two, smoke curling upward as flames danced along the trunk. Samuel raised his hand over his mouth in reflex.

Luna let out a snort. "Still got the guts to talk smack? Look, even the heavens are pissed at you!"

Samuel grunted, annoyed. "If your dad really stashed Megan away, I swear, I’d move Northriver’s whole damn mountain!"

She clicked her tongue. "What, you think you’re some mountain-moving legend now? Dream on, dude."

Samuel: "..."

Up on Northriver Mountain, a woman sat at the peak, watching the sun slip below the horizon.

Her inky black hair spilled down to her waist, and from behind, she looked like a statue—still, cold, unmoving.

An elder approached, his voice calm. "He’ll make it through." 𝙛𝒓𝒆𝙚𝒘𝒆𝓫𝙣𝓸𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝒄𝒐𝓶

The woman didn’t stir, her eyes still locked on the sunset, its orange glow highlighting her pale face.

"I still owe you a thank you," she murmured. "If you hadn’t let Karl and Luna go... Tristan and I... we’d be torn apart forever."

The old man chuckled. "No need. You gave up a lot too. I’ll have your departure arranged for tonight."

She turned, a soft smile tugging at her lips. "You really let it go?"

"I did. After all, Luna’s my flesh and blood too."

Megan shook her head gently. "No, you haven’t. She doesn’t have you in her heart. That’s the thorn that’ll never leave you. Holding onto hate only brings pain and tragedy. Real letting go... it’s not for others, it’s for yourself."

His body stiffened just slightly. He said nothing for a moment, then turned to leave.

Only one line left in his wake—"Don’t forget the five-year promise."

For the first time in a while, Megan felt something close to peace. She’d watched over Tristan these past weeks, seen him wither away, turning hollow—thin, fragile—a walking shadow of who he once was.

It hurt like hell. If she could, she would’ve taken the hit for him. He used to be this unstoppable force, and now... he was skin and bones.

The guilt gnawed at her. If she hadn’t tried to play smart with that sorcery worm, none of this would’ve happened.

But life has no rewind button. If she weren’t carrying their child, she would’ve chosen to die with him. No hesitation.

But now—she was a mom. The baby growing in her was born of love. How could she possibly walk away from that?

Her only shot was Karl. Yet she hadn’t been able to reach him—until she finally did.

Only to find out the man on the other end was Mr. Ford.

His one condition? She had to disappear for five years. Let Tristan suffer for five years.

Five years?

A blink of an eye, really. Bonds wouldn’t change in that time—family, friendship, love.

Well, they might. But in a good way. Love could deepen. Strengthen. Grow.

She gently rubbed her belly, a small smile on her lips. "Five years, huh? I’m twenty-seven. You’ll be five. And your dad’ll be thirty-two. We’ve got time—it’s just a break to make our reunion even sweeter. Our hearts are never apart, right? Just trust your dad. He’ll wait for us."

Mr. Ford led Megan down the mountain. Waiting at the bottom was a sleek black Volkswagen.

Without hesitation, she got in.

Mr. Ford gave her a faint smile. "Keep the promise. Or he dies. But if after five years he’s still loyal to you... I’ll give you two my blessing."

She smiled back. "Mr. Ford, have you ever been... truly happy?"

He went quiet. He’d spent his life chasing power and winning. Never even asked himself that. But the answer was obvious.

No, not really.

Megan waved gently at him as she said, "Still... thank you. For giving Tristan another chance at life."