Struggling to maintain composure, Holdenâs voice came out tight and controlled.
âWhere have you taken her?â
Over the speaker, Zaydenâs mocking laughter reverberated.
âOh, sheâs somewhere interesting, Holden.
After everything youâve done, stealing my resources and embarrassing me, itâs only fair I return the favor.
How does it feel, knowing Arianaâs fate is just a thread away from disaster and you also canât safeguard your own children? Youâre absolutely powerless now.
â
As Zaydenâs jeers continued, Sonia, witnessing Ariana treated Like an animal ready for the butcher, snapped.
Her rage boiled over, and she yearned to dismantle Zayden piece by piece.
âSon of a bitch! Iâll make you pay for this, Zayden! Iâll flay you alive!â Sonia spat out with rage, poised to charge.
Knowing the other party had guns nearby, Adrian quickly stopped her, his voice a low hiss.
âCalm down! We need to stay alive if we want to catch Zayden.
Donât do anything rash.
â
Zayden sneered through the broadcast, taunting, âIt looks like Ariana has many friends ready to stand up for her.
Even if she were torn apart right now, sheâd still be smiling.
â
After uttering those chilling words, Zayden burst into a wicked laugh, delighting in the gruesome image he had conjured in his mind.
Holdenâs anger surged as he clenched his teeth, fighting to stay calm.
âHave you finished with your childish taunts? Tell me, what game do you want to play? Iâm ready.
But before we begin, I want to see you and my children.
â
âDonât worry.
Youâll see your children,â Zayden replied, his voice now triumphant.
âBecause of our family connection, Iâll allow it.
Go to Warehouse Five alone.
Bring anyone else, and youâll only find their dead bodies.
â
âOkay, Holden said somberly.
âI will go alone, but only if my children are safe until my arrival.
â
Zayden smirked.
âYouâll find out their fate when you arrive.
â
The broadcast then went silent.
Following Zaydenâs directions, Holden made his way to Warehouse Five.
As he disappeared into the distance, Soniaâs heart sank, and she turned to Adrian, her eyes filled with worry.
âWhat should we do? We canât let him face this alone.
Itâs obvious Zayden has something sinister planned.
â
Sonia was too frightened to say more.
Adrianâs expression was grave, knowing Zayden was armed.
But he also couldnât just follow Holden without a plan, risking a disaster that could play right into Zaydenâs hands.
Just then, a small stone dropped near Sonia.
Looking up, she saw Mitchel hiding in a secluded corner, signaling them to come closer.
As Sonia and Adrian quietly approached, Mitchel pulled two silenced pistols from behind him and handed them over.
Sonia asked in surprise, âYou brought guns here?â
Mitchel loaded the pistols and responded, âHolden has prepared this before coming here.
â
This calmed Sonia down a bit.
It looked Like, even though Holden was in a hurry, he had made preparations to go against Zayden.
Meanwhile, Holden approached Warehouse Five.
The door was wide open, revealing a wide, man-made canal in front of him.
As he inspected the water, Holden felt a sinister presence lurking below.