At that moment, Lucas's phone rang. He tapped his Bluetooth headset, his heart racing.
Desmond's urgent voice crackled through, "Mr. Tudor, we've located your wife. She's being held in an abandoned factory near the forest on the west side of the city." Lucas' handsface tightened even further, his eyes bloodshot as he stared ahead. His voice was cold as he said, "Go to the shareholders' meeting for me. You don't need to do anything, just make sure those old men there stay calm." Desmond hesitated briefly before replying, "...Alright." The pressure was immense.
After a pause, Desmond added, "By the way, Maria found out that Russell is also heading there with his men." "I know," Lucas replied curtly before ending the call.
At the abandoned factory, Aveline adjusted herself into a more comfortable sitting position. Her hair was disheveled, and her body was covered in dust. Her clear, cold eyes were fixed on Darren, who was still toying with the lighter. "Why did you kidnap Lucas and his brother back then?" she asked. Since there was nothing else to do, she decided to strike up a conversation.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtShe had always been curious about that incident. After all, Lucas was Frederick's only son; he should have been cherished and doted upon. Yet Frederick had always regarded Lucas with disdain, attempting to control his every move. And now, in a final act of cruelty, he had stripped Lucas of everything, reducing him to an ordinary man. And who exactly was Leo, the brother they always talked about? Darren didn't respond, only glaring at her with cold, venomous eyes, like a snake poised to strike.
Aveline pressed her lips together and remained silent.
The air was still, only the sound of the wind howling outside, signaling the growing cold. Fallen leaves were blown into the factory, and Aveline stared at them, a deep sadness welling up inside her.
She never imagined that the actions she took years ago would cback to haunt her like this.
If she could go back, would she still choose to call the police? Aveline closed her eyes.
Just then, the faint sound of cars approaching could be heard from outside.
Darren paused his fiddling with the lighter, stood up, and walked to the factory entrance. The factory was situated on higher ground, giving him a clear view of several cars speeding toward them.
"Pretty fast," Darren commented with a smirk, pulling a knife from his pocket and casually toying with it.
Soon, three or four cars screeched to a halt. The door of the lead car opened, and Russell stepped out, his expression icy.
"Where's Aveline?" he demanded.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmDarren eyed him with mild confusion. "Who are you?" Russell advanced, his voice firm. "I asked you, where is Aveline?" "Stop right there," Darren said calmly, ve drenched the area wit gasoline. If you don't want to die, don't cany closer!" He lit the lighter, the small flflickering ominously.
Russell halted, his sharp, handsface showing a hint of t of irritation. "You kidnapped Aveline! What do you want?" Darren's eyes gleamed with greed. "I
thought I'd only get Lucas, but you showed up too. I'm not asking for much-ane hundred million, and I'll let her go." én.ls One hundred million! He had the audacity to make such a demand! "Russ, leave! Don't worry about me!" Aveline, shocked to hear Russell's voice, shouted desperately.
Her voice echoed clearly in the empty factory.
Russell glanced towards the interior of the factory, but it was pitch dark It was inside, making it impossible to see where Aveline was. X