Chapter 266 80%


    After hanging up the phone, Cole furrowed his brows, still troubled. He had always believed he''d hidden things well, that Elvira didn''t know about his secrets. But now, it seemed like she had known all along.


    What does she think of me now? Is she disappointed in me?'' he wondered. He rubbed his face in frustration, then pulled out his phone and quickly sent a message, ordering his people to search for Alice''s whereabouts with everything they had. Elvira dialed Judy''s number, and when the call connected, she spoke first. "Judy, what do you want from me?"


    "Well, look at that. It''s rare for you to call me. You''re so proud of yourself, aren''t you? Thought you were clever, almost managed to ruin my life, and now you''re the oneing to beg me." Judy sneered, her voiceced with a wild, unsettling madness. "So, you''re the one who took Alice," Elvira asked, confronting the painful truth she had been avoiding.


    If Alice had been kidnapped by someone else, there might still be hope. But with Judy, a cornered lunatic, Elvira knew anything was possible. Judy was dangerous, capable of anything.


    No wonder they said always leave an enemy a way out. Otherwise, they would fight like cornered animals, no holds barred. "Are you actually worried now? That little girl''s pretty cute, but her eyes... those eyes of hers are just like yours, and I really hate them. What do you think? Should I dig them out?" Judyughed maniacally.


    "No. Judy, I''m your enemy. Leave Alice alone. Tell me what you want," Elvira said, lowering herself to meet Judy''s twisted desires.


    "I want you dead." Judy gritted through her teeth..


    "If you let Alice go, I''ll give you my life," Elvira said without hesitation.


    Before Judy could respond, someone grabbed Elvira''s phone from her hand. Elvira turned to see Zach standing behind her, and her face changed instantly. She reached out to take the phone back, but it had already been disconnected.


    "Alice is in Judy''s hands. I have to negotiate with her." Elvira urgently looked at Zach, hoping to get the phone back.


    "How would you even negotiate? You want to trade one life for another? No way." Zach firmly rejected her n.


    "I wasn''t thinking of a life-for-life deal. We need to find a way to negotiate and bring Alice back safely." Elvira insisted, her eyes red with anxiety.


    Zach gently guided her to sit down. "Calm down. I know you''re worried about Alice, and I''m just as worried as you. But you can''t do anything reckless. Why did you hide this from me and call her? Were you nning to go alone and trade yourself for Alice?" Elvira''s silence confirmed his suspicion. She hadn''t spoken, and her lips tightened in frustration. Alice''s abduction had thrown her off bnce, and now, she wanted to give her life for Alice''s safety.


    "If something happens to you or the baby, what do you want me to do? We need to think this through. We can''t let Judy win," Zach said, holding her hand tightly.


    "I know you''re worried about my safety, Zach, but Alice was taken because of me. I can''t just sit back and do nothing. Let me try negotiating with Judy, and find out what she really wants. "Then, we can n how to save Alice," Elvira replied, still feeling guilty for not taking more action when Alice was in danger.


    "Alice is still young, and she''s vulnerable. We can''t let her wait too long!" Elvira urged, her concern growing. She was worried Zach would refuse to let her act.


    Zach was in turmoil. He said, "It''s not all your fault that Alice was taken. The people helping Judy are powerful, and they probably targeted me. Judy''s just a tool they''re using.


    "So this isn''t as simple as you think. Don''t me yourself for everything. If anyone should take the me, it''s me. I failed to protect Alice, and now these people are taking advantage of that


    Elvira, listening to Zach''s reasoning, began to calm down. She squeezed his hand and said, "No matter what, we have to save Alice. Let me talk to Judy. We need to find out where she is as soon as possible."


    Zach still didn''t want to take any risks. He checked with Spike, who had not yet found Alice''s location. With no other option, Zach reluctantly agreed to Elvira''s request.


    She could contact Judy, find out what she wanted, and they would figure out a n to rescue Alice afterward.


    Elvira quickly dialed Judy''s number again, exining that the call had been cut off earlier due to a poor signal and asking what she wanted in exchange for Alice.


    "Elvira, let me make this clear. The only thing I want right now is your life. You know that well enough. If you want the girl to live, then you''d better die." Judy spat venomously into the phone.


    "Alright, I can agree to your request, but you have to release Alice first. How do I know you''ll keep your word if you don''t?" said Elvira.


    "I don''t care about the life of a little kid. The one I hate is you. Get 40 million dors in cash ready. Once you have it, call me, and I''ll tell you where to send it. As long as I see you and the money, I''ll let her go," Judy said before abruptly hanging


    1. up.


    Elvira immediately figured out Judy''s real intention. She wanted money, probably nning to flee with it. Zach quickly made a call to Samson, instructing him to gather the cash as quickly as possible.Exclusive content ? by N?(v)el/Dr/ama.Org.


    Samson reacted fast, calling major banks to request that they prepare 40 million dors in cash within the hour.


    An hour and a halfter, Samson arrived with the cash. Elvira immediately called Judy. Judy instructed her to drive alone to a mountain on the northern outskirts of the city and contact her again once she arrived.


    Zach, worried about her safety, insisted on going with her. But Elvira felt that this ce was likely a trick set up by Judy. Judy wouldn''t reveal her final move until thest moment, so it was better if no one followed Elvira for now. Once they were certain of Judy''s location, Zach could take action.


    Zach was still extremely worried, but Elvira had made up her mind. Samson and Spike both agreed with her reasoning. Spike had already tracked down some leads, which indicated that Judy was least likely to be in the northern suburbs.


    Only then did Zach feel slightly reassured. He gave Elvira a pair of new earrings, which contained thetest tracking devices. The bracelet could transform into a knife, and the ne contained a poison needle capable of taking down the enemy within seconds, even a strong guy.


    With everything prepared, Elvira got into the car to head to the location as Judy had instructed. Zach suddenly pulled her back into an embrace, his eyes red with worry. "You have to be safe. You have toe back safely."


    I''m not that stupid." Elvira reassured him, patting his back. After pushing him away, she kissed him quickly, then got into the car without giving him a chance to change his mind.


    worry.