At the hospital, Lea had just regained consciousness. Her face was pale as paper, but when she noticed Frank seated by her side, a slight spark of satisfaction flashed in her eyes.

Emma was still too inexperienced. With just a little effort, Lea managed to capture Frank's entire attention.

"Frank," she called his name weakly.

Frank immediately turned to her, his expression tense. "Lea, are you awake? Do you feel unwell anywhere?"

She shook her head, but her eyes were heavy with remorse. "I'm sorry, Frank. Dean has been pestering me lately. He even followed me back to the country. But I never anticipated him to go as far as kidnapping Emma. This is all my fault for getting too close to you. I know Emma is important to you—"

"You're more important to me, Lea." Frank interrupted her. His brows furrowed as he tried to drive the picture of Emma out of his thoughts. He asked solemnly, "Bu

"Mr. Castro, Ms. Dyer's flight has already taken off. The airline also stated that Ms. Dyer requested that her flight details remain confidential. Even if you're her uncle, they can't disclose any information to you."

Frank's body tensed as soon as the words came out, and his expression darkened instantly.

Emma was gone, and she made sure he couldn't find out where she was going.

Frank drove straight back to the Castro residence. Thea hadn't expected to see him in the middle of the day. She raised an eyebrow and asked, "Frank? What are you doing at home?"

Without responding, he charged up the stairs and entered Emma's room.

The moment the door was pushed open, the room was totally vacant. She had taken everything and left no trace behind.

The only thing left was the gifts he had ordered his assistant to prepare for her, which were an eyesore to him now. They rested neatly on the be

It was a sleepless night.

As Emma prepared to leave for work, she unexpectedly found Frank sitting in the living room.

When Thea spotted her, she instantly waved her over. "Emma, come eat breakfast. Frank will take you to work later."

"That won't be necessary," she replied coldly.

"I'll take you." His tone left no room to argue.

She didn't understand what he was trying to do, so she chose to remain silent.

As soon as she got into the car, his phone screen lit up with a call from Lea. Frank answered immediately.

"Frank, help me! I've been abducted!"

"What? Lea, where are you now?"

The call abruptly disconnected.

Frank's expression turned ice-cold as he screamed, "Get out of the car!"

Emma wasn't surprised. Every time they got a minute alone, something urgent would always happen to Lea.

She sneered at the idea of Lea getting kidnapped. Just as she was about to get out of the car, Frank stopped her. "Did you do this?"

She wondered if this was how he saw her.

She felt her breath get trapped in her throat. She used all of her strength to hold back her emotions and responded, "I'm not bored enough to do that."

Then, without another word, she exited the car. As soon as she was out, the car charged forward like an arrow.

Watching the car sped away, Emma felt her heart sinking once again, making her unable to breathe.

She stepped to the roadside, hailed a cab, and headed to Castro Group for her final work handover.

Just as she got into the cab, a strange scent filled the air. Before she could react, her limbs went numb, and she lost consciousness.

When she woke up, she could hear voices around her, but they were hazy.

"You'd better reward me well after I helped you this time."

"Cut the crap and finish the job first."

Emma gently opened her eyes and adjusted to the light.

When Lea saw her waking up, she sent a subtle signal to the man beside her.

The man chuckled and moved his sight to Lea's beautiful face. "I'm indeed lucky to kidnap both of you. If Mr. Castro wants you back, he'll need to pay at least ten million dollars. Otherwise, neither of you are allowed to leave!"

Lea grew agitated. "Dean, haven't you caused enough trouble? We're already divorced! Besides, why did you drag Emma into this?"

Emma tensed, and her eyes darkened.

Why did Lea's ex-husband kidnap her?

He sneered bitterly, "Men understand men best. Frank is definitely the emotional type. I refuse to believe he'll disregard the kid he raised. Lea, I told you that I didn't want a divorce. Everything I do now is because you forced me!"

Emma realized her hands and feet were bound, and her bag was far from her grasp.

Suddenly, the sound of an engine roared outside, and a car crashed through the entrance.

Dean gripped a wooden bat and looked over with amusement.

Frank got out of the car. When he saw Emma, his pupils contracted, and his expression turned deadly cold.

"Dean, what do you want? You and Lea have already divorced!"

"Mr. Castro, we're indeed divorced. But how can I be happy to see you so excited to take my place? You'd better give me what I want, or neither of them will leave.  Oh, Emma is quite beautiful too. Shall I have some fun with her first?"

The moment Dean finished speaking, Frank's expression became stormy.

Seeing this, Emma had a small hope rising in her chest.

But just then, Lea struggled to her feet and ran toward Dean. "Dean, we're over! Why do you keep bothering me? Why did you include an innocent person in this? Emma, I'll protect you. Hurry and leave!"

Dean lifted his bat and was ready to strike.

"Stop!" Frank's expression dropped as he yelled loudly. His expression was cold as he drew Lea into his arms. "How much do you want for you to let her go?"

"Fifty million dollars!"

Lea's face grew pale as she sank on her knees. "Frank, please save Emma. I'll be alright. Dean won't hurt me."

Frank paused for a moment before saying, "Fine, I'll pay!"

After the transaction was completed, Lea stumbled into Frank's arms.

"Mr. Castro, you really are generous. It was no surprise that my wife was so eager to divorce me. Now, I want a hundred million dollars for Emma! Otherwise, she'll belong to me!" 

He began unbuckling his belt.

Emma's heart hammered. "Frank…"

Frank frowned. But just then, Lea suddenly fainted, and her face turned ghastly pale. "Lea, what's wrong?"

Without hesitation, he grabbed her and dashed out.

"What about Emma?" Dean shouted.

Frank halted for a beat. But right now, Lea needed him more. He couldn't save them both. 

"I'll send someone with the money!"

Watching his retreating figure, Emma's expression went utterly blank. Her eyes dulled as if all emotions had been drained from her.

Dean took a step forward, smirking at her. Just when he reached out to grab her, a hidden person emerged from the shadows.

Carl swung a rod at Dean's head. "I'll kill you if you dare lay a hand on Emma."

…

Three days later, Emma hauled her bag through the airport. She had placed her resignation letter on Frank's desk. Apparently, he had been absent from work for three days because he was taking care of Lea.

Thea tried to make her stay, but she declined.

The only one who came to see her off was Carl.

Carl's eyes were red as he said, "Emma, don't waste your love on that trash, Frank! He's not worthy of you. Have a great life abroad!"

"Thank you, Carl."

After saying goodbye to her childhood friend, Emma left without looking back.

"Frank, may we never meet again."

At the hospital, Lea had just regained consciousness. Her face was pale as paper, but when she noticed Frank seated by her side, a slight spark of satisfaction flashed in her eyes.

Emma was still too inexperienced. With just a little effort, Lea managed to capture Frank's entire attention.

"Frank," she called his name weakly.

Frank immediately turned to her, his expression tense. "Lea, are you awake? Do you feel unwell anywhere?"

She shook her head, but her eyes were heavy with remorse. "I'm sorry, Frank. Dean has been pestering me lately. He even followed me back to the country. But I never anticipated him to go as far as kidnapping Emma. This is all my fault for getting too close to you. I know Emma is important to you—"

"You're more important to me, Lea." Frank interrupted her. His brows furrowed as he tried to drive the picture of Emma out of his thoughts. He asked solemnly, "But how does Dean even know Emma?"

Lea shook her head. "I'm not sure. My ex-husband has always been a

Chapter 13