tightened in her chest as panic consumed her. Without wasting another second, she rushed bac

had happened to Alina? The thought gnawed at her, and no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't push away the terrifying image

rived. Helen didn't wait for the driver to stop full

demanded, rushing forward as Helen burst into t

r. Cole's voice came from the stairs as he q

n stammered, choking on her words,

own voice trembled, his breaths growing uneven.

she finally screamed, her voice c

ut I think Alina h

...

reality hit her like a punch to the gut. She remembered sitting at the beach, waiting for Helen to return with cotton candy. Then suddenly,

the dimly lit room, searching for an esc

in the distance. Slow.

atory eyes locked on her like a cat about to pounce on its prey.

p, chilling voice. "Looks like I've

e want? She had only a few months left to live; all she wanted was to spend

her voice trembling, "w

rs want when they take someone? I want money, a large sum of it. I'll call your parents and demand the ransom. They have five hours to pay... or else I'll make

t she wanted. She wanted to pass peacefully, surrounded by love, not in pain and fear. Tears blurred her vision as she glanced around de

table where a phone lay. "Call your

oping that somehow, deep down, he might let her go. But h

erous. "Fine. I'll start making you scream for a different

ntically. She quickly recited the numbe

er, the lin

e's voice came f

one was calm, chilling. "I'm

d Helen knew Alina had gone missing, they haven't inform th

my daughter?" he aske

money. Ten billion dollars. You have five hours to get it

that kind of money? Even as a successful businessman, that's impossible! Please

n her face. "Please," she pleaded, her voice breaking. "Don't harm our daug

ay to save your daughter." He was about to hang up when Mrs. Cole quic

ly walked over to Alina, hol

whimpered, her vo

line. Why can't my baby have just a little peace? she thought bit

er sobs, "nothing will happen to you. I promi

reunion," he said coldly. "Five hours. Get me my money. And don't even think about in

, he ende

**

while clutching a heavy suitcase in the other. The air inside the abandoned building was

torn sofa, his face hidden behind a black mask. His posture was relaxe

d them, his voice cold and c

ook a deep breath before extending it toward the

awled, smirking beneath the mask.

ds later, a huge man emerged from the shad

her arms around her daughter the moment the blindfold was removed, holding her as though

spered, clinging to her mother as

d them, wrapping his a

he kidnappers, Mr. Cole guided his

H LATE

best to convince 'the Devil' to invest in our company, but he won't budge. And if he doesn't inves

er mouth to reply, a soft

we lose t

und to see Alina walking toward t

aid quickly, forcing a smile. "We

her arms. "I'm not a little kid any

unsure what to say. He didn't want his daughter to w

e began but trailed off, strug

her voice trembling slightly.

ally met her daughter's eyes. "Alrig

the kidnapper demanded ten billion dollars. Your father didn't have that kind of money,

d as she listened, her

to repay the money with fifty percent interest. If we

eyes, rolling down her cheeks uncontrollably. Because of me... they're losing

"Everything will be alright. I just need 'the Devil' to invest in th

up at her father, confused. "The Devil? Who is t

ly, avoiding her gaze at first. But Alina's det

ll, a man with a face as beautiful as Adonis, yet more dangerous than any enemy. His voice is deep and enticing, li

nd dread mixing in her chest. "Wh

into his daughter's eyes,

Harrin

..

rimson, his once-pristine shirt dripping with the blood of his latest victim. The

y seemed to pierce through souls. Alluring yet deadly, they were the kind of eyes no on

e though his heart pounded. He had seen his master like this countless times, yet the si

ectful. "They've requested a meeting with you tomorrow afternoon. They'll

at the dying sun as if drawing strength from its fadi

e finally turned, his gaze locking on Caleb like a predator sizing up prey. "If they're desperate en

ckery, his eyes glinting

He had witnessed what happened to those who tried bargaining with the

wish,

e beside him. The setting sun bathed him in a hellish glow, making him l

his voice a chilling whispe