Chapter 1 She Was Abandoned by Her Fiancé

In this old, creepy furniture factory, these hardcore kidnappers had a phone in one hand and a gun aimed at two girls huddled in the corner. He barked into the phone, "Alice or Clara, pick one! No funny business. Call the cops, and I'll pop 'em both right now!"

Clara Savoy whimpered, "Oliver, I'm so scared! Please, come save me!"

Alice Savoy's eyes were all teary, her voice shaky, "Oliver, help!"

The kidnapper hit the speaker button, and Oliver Howard didn't even blink. "Clara, I choose Clara."

Alice let out a gut-wrenching scream, "Oliver, I'm your fiancée! How can you do this to me!"

"Who'd want a country bumpkin like you?" Oliver's voice was cold. "Bring Clara out, the cash is outside."

The kidnapper yanked Clara up and sneered at Alice, "Your sister and your fiancé sold you out. Might as well be dead!"

With that, he shoved Clara towards the door.

In the dim light, Clara glanced back at Alice with a smug grin.

Alice sobbed, looking all pitiful and helpless, her eyes burning with anger. But as soon as Clara turned away, Alice's sad face flipped to a mocking smile.

Outside, after checking the suitcase full of cash, the kidnapper pushed Clara into Oliver's arms.

Oliver held her like she was a lost treasure, quickly untying her ropes and checking her over. "Clara, you okay?"

"I'm fine, just a bit shaky."

"Good, let's get outta here!"

"What about Alice?" Clara whispered, "The kidnapper said Alice saw us together and might as well be dead. I'm worried he might hurt her!"

'Alice might as well be dead? The kidnapper has a point!'

"Clara, you're too nice. Even now, you're worried about that Alice who always bullied you." Oliver shot a cold look at the kidnapper, "I brought the money. Kill that woman! I won't call the cops!"

The kidnapper stroked his chin and laughed, "I like your style!"

Oliver sped off with Clara, scared the kidnapper might change his mind and toss Alice in the car.

The kidnapper peeled off his realistic mask, revealing a playful grin.

He strolled back with the suitcase and saw Alice already free, stretching her neck. He laughed, "Madam, you nailed that kidnapping act. Oscar-worthy!"

Alice's red lips curled into a sly smile. She pointed to the tiny camera on his chest and said, "Send the video to Henry, and we'll get another ten million dollars. Donate all the money to the disability center."

"Yes, ma'am!" Calvin grinned, eyeing Alice's heavy smoky makeup and wild hairstyle. "But, your makeup?"

Alice raised an eyebrow.

Calvin gave a thumbs up, "The hottest in Stellaria!"

Alice chuckled, "Hurry up and send it, I'm waiting for Henry to come rescue me!"

"Think he'll really come?"

Alice's lips curved slightly. "Of course!"

Calvin shrugged. Alice was hardcore, even ruthless to herself.

After walking out of the factory with the suitcase, he got in the car and sent the video to a number ending in five nines, adding a message: [Ten million dollars to the account below, or I'll post it online!]

In the swanky Munida private room, folks were chatting business, glasses clinking.

A phone on the table buzzed, and a slender, clean hand picked it up. Henry Howard's deep, narrow eyes squinted as he stared at the video.

No sound, but it was clear as day—a kidnapping involving his nephew Oliver and the Savoy sisters, Alice and Clara.

Henry's intense vibe made the crowd feel chilly.

The chatter died down to a whisper, then silence.

Finally, someone got brave. "Mr. Howard."

Henry shot up, grabbed his suit jacket from the chair, and walked out, his tall figure disappearing as the door closed.

In the back seat of the Maybach, Henry's aura was ice-cold, his gaze like frost.

He picked up his phone, his voice low but seething with anger, "Where are you?"

"Uncle Henry, I'm at the hospital." Oliver's voice came through the phone.

"You ransomed Clara and ditched your fiancée?"

"How do you know?"

"The kidnapper sent me the video. You want your scumbag image all over the internet or to be an accomplice to murder?"

"Uncle Henry, it's not my fault. Who'd want that bumpkin Alice?"

Henry went silent for a moment, then coldly said, "Address."

Oliver sounded panicked, "The abandoned furniture factory in the western suburbs."

Henry hung up and looked at the back of Ethan Ross's head, "The abandoned furniture factory in the western suburbs, step on it!"

"Yes, sir!"

Henry stared out at the dark night, his heart tightening at the thought of Alice in danger.

He'd only met Alice twice, but her eyes were just like the woman in his dreams.

He pressed his thin lips together, gripping his phone tightly.

Silver moonlight shone through the broken window onto Alice, who was squatting on the ground, bored, playing with crickets with a small stick.

Alice glanced at the LCD screen on her watch, where a small red dot was moving quickly on the miniature map.

She used the stick to shoo the crickets away. "Hurry up and scram, I'm about to set a fire!"

The crickets seemed to get the hint and scurried out of the factory.

Alice stood up, grabbed a gasoline can by the wall, and poured it over the furniture boards around her. Then she tossed a lit lighter, and flames roared, engulfing the boards.

The Maybach screeched to a halt outside the factory. The raging fire was devouring the building.

Henry got out of the car, frowning deeply at the thick black smoke billowing out.

Ethan shouted, "Miss Savoy! Miss Savoy! Are you in there?"

Through the crackling of burning wood, Alice's faint voice called out, "Help!"

Ethan was overjoyed, "She's still alive!"

Just as Ethan was about to rush into the factory, Henry yanked him back. "I'll go! You might get hurt!"

Ethan fell silent, but he had to admit, Henry was the best bet to save Alice.

Henry tossed his suit jacket to Ethan and charged into the fire, calling out Alice's name.

The intense heat made it hard to keep his eyes open, and the thick smoke choked him, making it hard to breathe.

At that moment, Alice, lying on the ground in a dramatic pose, closed her eyes just as Henry appeared like a god descending.