After ending the call, Gabriel urgently called the staff responsible for identifying the kidnappers and gathered a few of his most experienced officers to formte the rescue n.
Meanwhile, Shein sat calmly on the <b>couch </b>in the town at the Thompson family’s old house, drinking
coffee as if he were at ease.
However, Zachary frowned deeply.
“Dad, how can you still enjoy coffee at a time like this?”
Shein put down his cup and said calmly, “What else can I do? Will panicking help?”
These kidnappers were desperate and fearless. The police would likely face significant challenges in
executing a rescue.
Besides praying for their fate, he couldn’t think of any other solution.
Rather than worrying, he chose to act rxed, hoping not to be seen as weak by the kidnappers.
Suddenly, a thought crossed his mind.
“By the way, Zac, <b>how </b>did you know someone was going to harm us?”
“It was Carlisle who told me.”
“Carlisle?”
Shein frowned, struggling to recall the name.
“He’s…”
Zachary nced at the visibly anxious Wanda, hesitating to say more.
Shein finally remembered that Carlisle was the boy trying to pursue Wanda.
He frowned and pondered, “Where did that kid get his information from?”
Zachary scoffed.
“I bet he’s working with Jalen. Approaching Wanda was just part of his scheme.”
Hearing Zachary’s usations against Carlisle, Wanda snapped back, “You should be a novelist with your wild imagination. If Carlisle were in league with Jalen, why would he warn us?”
Zachary retorted, “He warned us when we were already surrounded. It was just a fake gesture to throw us
off.
“You’re so self–righteous!”
Wanda turned her head away in frustration.
Zachary sighed.
2/2
“It <b>seems </b>you still haven’t gotten over him.”
Shein intervened, “Enough, both of you. That kid is merely a university freshman. This situation likely has nothing to do with him.”
With Shein’s authority, Zachary <b>had </b>no choice but to fall silent.
Just then, the leader of the kidnappers walked in, holding a bowl of meat stew.
Speaking with his mouth full, he asked, “Are you hungry? <b>Want </b>some food?”
“No,” Zachary replied defiantly.
“I am,” Wanda retorted, seemingly contradicting Zachary on purpose.
Zachary whispered urgently. “Are you crazy? What if <b>they </b>put something in the food?”
Wanda ignored him and stood up to follow the kidnapper. Shein also stood up and followed.
Zachary’s stomach growled. Reluctantly, he got up and followed them outside.
Trey led the town residents to deliver food and breathed a sigh of relief at the sight of Shein and the
others unharmed.
“Old man, got any booze?” the lead kidnapper asked with a grin.
“Yes, I’ll go get it right away.”
Trey’s earlier bravado had vanished, reced by a fawning smile.Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org.
The lead kidnapper cleared three spots at the table for Shein and his children,
They sat down without hesitation, maintaining theirposure.
Shein <b>looked </b>at the leader and asked, “May I Know your name?”
“I’m Hendrix Evans.”
“Hendrix Evans<b>?</b><b>”</b>
Shein’s pupils contracted sharply. The name was well–known to him.
He was the infamous bandit Hendrix Evans, who had orchestrated multiple kidnappings and always
managed to evade capture.
The fact that Jalen had managed to enlist such people was shocking.
“Oh, so Mr. Thompson has heard of me.” Hendrix said, shing what he thought was a gentlemanly smile.
“Just a little,” Shein replied, calming his inner turmoil. He picked up a <b>spoon </b>and started eating silently
With any other kidnapper, Shein might have hoped to avoid paying the ransom, But Hendrix’s involvement
the 300 million dors would have to be handed over.
mes
Losing that amount would severely set back hispetition with Yuriel.