Chapter 2

He blamed everything on me.

After Julian left, I immediately called the police.

Thirty million dollars was no small sum, and they wanted it in cash.

I couldn't just produce it instantly, and there was no guarantee the kidnappers would release them even if they got the money.

So I had to call the police, let the professionals handle this.

After I dialed 911, the local precinct dispatched officers.

But before they arrived, I got a call from someone familiar.

“Ma’am, it’s Officer Miller. Are you and Julian having a fight?”

My brows furrowed. I asked in a low voice:

“Why are you calling me?”

“Well, you called the police, right? We’re acquaintances, but filing a false report isn’t a small thing. You and Julian can argue all you want, but you can’t be so reckless.”

“Julian and Serena have nothing going on. If you keep acting out like this, you’ll just make Julian a laughingstock.”

After listening for a while, I finally understood what he meant.

“What are you implying? Julian told you I filed a false report?”

A silence stretched on the other end.

I let out a soft laugh, then said firmly:

“Officer Miller, I advise you to dispatch officers immediately and handle this situation. Otherwise, I’ll file a formal complaint.”

Officer Miller scoffed:

“Anya Smith, don’t treat everyone like Julian, at your beck and call. I’m not your private security. You crazy woman, Serena Cross is worth more than a strand of your hair.”

After hearing that, I hung up.

Then I redialed 911, and also filed a complaint against Officer Miller.

The other officers arrived about fifteen minutes later.

They asked me a few questions and listened to the recording of the first call.

Everyone looked serious. They quickly traced the incoming number, but it wasn’t registered.

Calling back led to a disconnected line. We could only wait for them to call again.

The officers were waiting, and I was contacting my private financial manager.

“How much liquid cash do I have in my accounts?”

“Seventeen million? Prepare all of it.”

After hanging up, I called Julian’s uncle, Mr. Harrison.

Hearing about Mr. and Mrs. Wallace's kidnapping, he gasped:

“Who did this? Is Julian there?”

“I don’t know who the kidnappers are, and Julian went camping with Serena. Uncle, the kidnappers want thirty million in cash. I can’t raise enough on my own. How much can you contribute? I’ll pay you back in a week.”

“Child, you’re saving my brother! Don’t talk about paying back! How much more do you need?”

“Thirteen million.”

“Don’t worry, I’ll get it.”

Thirty minutes passed quickly. The other party called again.

I quickly answered. The technical officer beside me immediately started tracing the call, but shook his head a moment later; they couldn't pinpoint the location.

My heart sank further. I heard the person on the other end say sternly:

“Time’s up. Has the money been sent?”

“Not yet. Please give me more time. My husband isn’t here, and I don’t have that much money on hand.”

“I told you, if the money isn’t here on time, I’ll kill them!”

I pleaded frantically:

“Don’t hurt them! You want money, right? Killing them means you won't get any money, won’t that be a failure? Just give me another thirty minutes, and I promise I’ll have the money ready.”

As soon as I finished speaking, I heard my in-laws’ screams from the other end of the line. The kidnapper’s sinister voice returned:

“Thirty minutes. Five fingers each!

“If you want to stall, keep stalling!”

After the call ended, Officer Miller appeared at the doorway.

He had heard the last part, and now stared at me, his face ashen.