Chapter 62

Chapter 62

Grace’s pupils constricted, “Abigail is missing?

“Indeed, Ms. Salen. This ain’t your run-of-the-mill contract violation or dropout scenario. Something smells fishy. Abigail was firing on all cylinders before the recording, getting along with the other contestants like a house on fire. She wouldn’t just pack her bags and leave.”

“I see. Let’s keep the show on the road for now and not let the cat out of the bag. Holler if there’s anything else,” she laid out the plan in a cool and collected manner. “I’ll start sniffing around about this.

Keep the recording site stable.”

She hung up the call, knitted her brows, and finally dialed the number tucked away in the far thest corner of her phonebook.

“B-boss?”

The voice on the other end stuttered, surprise evident in their tone. “Is it really you?”

“It’s me,” Grace responded succinctly.

The person at the other end of the line was over the moon, and even through the screen, their shock and joy were palpable.

“Boss, it’s been a long time since we last heard from you. Is there anything urgent up your sleeve this time? Dark Bell will move heaven and earth for you!”

The Dark Bell was her ace in the hole, a shadowy organization with eyes and ears across the globe, entrenched in all walks of life.

With a single command from Grace, no intel was out of their reach.

“Find Abigail Green’s whereabouts for me. I want results in ten minutes. About me going off the grid.

with you guys, it’s a long story, I’ll fill you in when there’s time.”

Grace put down her phone, a shadow of worry pooling in her eyes.

Despite her faith in the Dark Bell’s efficiency, with each passing moment, the safety of Abigail became more unpredictable.

Her phone jingled again. Glancing at the time, only eight minutes had passed.

“Boss, we’ve got a lead. Around noon, Abigail got a call. The caller beckoned her outside the recording site, claiming to have urgent matters to discuss.

“Once Abigail stepped out, she was immediately rendered unconscious and stashed in the trunk of a vehicle with a counterfeit license plate. The car headed towards the outskirts of Frant City, towards Gravel Mountain. After passing through a tunnel, the vehicle disappeared from the surveillance

camera.

“I suspect she’s somewhere near Gravel Mountain, likely kidnapped. What do you think…?” The man asked tentatively.

“Okay, I see. Thanks for the legwork this time,” Grace replied, her demeanor ice-cold.

She studied the map sent over, ready to drive there.

Her phone pinged again. It was a new message from an unknown number.

“Abigail Green has been kidnapped by me, get here within the hour. If you’re late, you’re in hot water.

Remember, you’re flying solo. If you dare squeal to the cops or bring backup, we’ll kill her Immediately.”

Chapter $2

The unknown number pinged another picture message – it was a shot of Abigail taking a beating.

Propped against her fire engine red Maybach, Grace fell deep into thought.

The man kidnapped Abigail to threaten her, yet they didn’t want dough. They deliberately stressed that she had to go there by herself….

Could it be one of the Smith family?

That didn’t square. The person knew her inside out, and the way he wiped her memory was smooth as a whistle. He wouldn’t have slipped up this time, leaving breadcrumbs for the Dark Bell to follow. After a few rounds in her head, she roughly determined the mastermind behind the kidnapping.

Grace turned off the GPS to Gravel Mountain, spun the wheel, and made a beeline for Patric’s villa.

She swapped her business threads for some sportswear.

•

The sleek black sportswear accentuated her porcelain skin, fitting her like a glove and perfectly highlighting her curves.

She pulled her long tresses into a high ponytail, which made her look even more heroic.

“Just got home and you’re going out again?”

Upon hearing her footfall, Susan began to chide her, “Miss Salen, you’ve been burning the candle at both ends at the office, this is not good for your health. Rest up now you’re home, your health’s the most important thing.”

As she prattled on, she spun around to see Grace in her sportswear, her jaw hitting the floor.

“Miss Salen, you’re looking heroic! A real breath of fresh air compared to your usual self!”

Susan beamed with approval. “Off for some exercise?”

“For fighting.”

Grace gestured dismissively.

“What?! Fight?”

Susan blanched, thinking she had misheard, “You’re going to fight? Are you sure?”

She eyed Grace’s slender build, the worry creeping into her gaze.

“Don’t worry about me.”

With that, Grace slung her bag over her shoulder and made a beeline for Gravel Mountain in her Maybach, following the GPS.

Watching her disappearing act, Susan was floored once more by Grace’s heroic aura, snapping out of it and dialing up Patric, fearing for Grace.

before

“Mr. Smith, Miss Salen’s off to fight. You need to put a pin in whatever you’re doing!” Susan blurted, “What if she lands herself in a pickle?!”

“Alright, I’m on it.”

Patric furrowed his brow and sighed, the air heavy with his resignation

“How’s the plan shaping up? Have you kidnapped that woman yet?”

Nancy was on the horn, eager for an update.

Sarah lazily replied, “You bet. It’s me at the helm after all. No chance for a screw-up.’

A wave of elation washed over Nancy at the confirmation. Even the chirping sparrows outside her window suddenly seemed less of a nuisance,

Chapter 62

“Did you send a text message to that bi tch? No hiccups, right?”

Despite her gloating, she remained vigilant, “What if she calls the police? Or tell the Patric, and that man’s no pushover.”

“Chill out. I’ve investigated her. She and Abigail have been thick as thieves since the orphanage. She wouldn’t dare.”

Sarah brushed it off.

“I’ve already had the message delivered – if Grace dares to bring backup, Abigall will be killed at once.

Grace hasn’t got the guts.”

There was a sudden rustling of footsteps outside the ward, but Nancy brushed it off as nurses or doctors on their rounds.

“If all goes according to plan, Grace’ll be pushing up daisies soon.”

Nancy was thrilled at the thought of no longer having to lay eyes on Grace, so much so that she could have set off fireworks in celebration.

Sarah shared her relief. With Grace out of the picture, there’d be no more roadblocks on her path to capturing Patric’s heart.

“It’s all thanks to you this time. Once I get out of this joint.”

Nancy was just getting carried away when the door creaked open.

Edgar stood in the doorway, his face set in stone.

“Edgar, what brings you here?!”

Nancy was taken aback, immediately ending her call.

“I was just shooting the breeze with a friend, didn’t realize…”

She had arranged for bodyguards at the door for a reason, that’s how she had been carelessly yapping away with Sarah.

She wondered if Edgar had heard it.