Chapter 7

"That's outrageous!" Shirley's delicate face sharpened with anger, her hands clenched tightly. "We'll call the police. There's no way we're letting them get away with this." Rachel shook her head. "That won't help. We don't have any evidence, and your sister is in their hands. Calling the police will only provoke them." "Then, what should we do?" Shirley was unwilling to give in. The company was her parents' lifelong hard work. How could she let someone just take it? What would she say if her father woke up and asked about it? And if Owen didn't wake up… Shirley would have no choice but to accept it. But it had only been a week! Wayne was an ungrateful traitor. If Owen hadn't been kind enough to give him a respectable job years ago, would he even be where he was now? "What else can we do? Your sister is in their hands. She's so young. How can she endure being tortured?" Rachel was powerless, and she trembled violently. She looked like she was about to break down from the events that had happened that day. Shirley's heart ached as she watched her mother on the verge of collapse. She wrapped her arms around the older woman and said hoarsely, "Don't worry, Mom. I'll bring Megan back, and I'll protect Dad's company. No one's going to take what belongs to us." Determined, Shirley retrieved the hospital's security footage and sent it to her friends in her network, asking them to help identify the person in the video. She also arranged for more security at the hospital to prevent further incidents. But two days passed, and there was still no sign of Megan. Rachel's eyes were swollen from crying, and she looked like she had aged years in mere days. Shirley felt helpless to see the exhausted Rachel. Finally, she made a decision. She picked up her phone and called someone. "Brook, come with me." Valiant Lounge was the most exclusive venue in Elderstone. Shirley came here to meet someone—a man named Kyle Yoder. He was a highly influential figure in Elderstone, someone who commanded respect from both the legal and illegal circles. He also had some dealings with Owen. Shirley hoped to hire Kyle at a high price to deal with the Weiss family's current crisis. The elevator carried them to the sixth floor. As the doors opened, a small figure stumbled inside. Reacting quickly, Shirley reached out and caught the child. The boy looked no older than four or five years old, and he was dressed in a white T-shirt and checkered shorts. His features were delicate, and his skin was pale and soft. He had dark, messy hair that was curly, and he looked adorable. "Are you okay?" Shirley couldn't help but smile gently at the child, her tone unconsciously softening. The boy initially wanted to push Shirley away, but her gentle smile froze him in place. He stared up at her with his dark, wide eyes, looking utterly captivated. Thinking he was scared, Shirley reached out to gently ruffle his soft curls and soothingly said, "Don't worry. It's okay now." The boy didn't respond. His big, curious eyes continued to be fixed on her. Then, a deep, resonant voice cut through the air, "Thank you." The boy quickly stepped away from Shirley and into the shadow of a tall man standing nearby. Shirley looked up and was met with a pair of intense, jet-black eyes. She couldn't quite find the words to describe this man. His face was the kind of perfection that could make women stop in their tracks—sharp brows, piercing eyes, a high-bridged nose, and lips so finely shaped they seemed almost too exquisite to be real. It was as if he had been carved by the hands of a meticulous artist, every detail flawlessly in place. But what truly commanded attention was the air he carried. His presence radiated an air of innate authority, the kind that came from someone accustomed to wielding power. There was a regal, almost overwhelming dominance about him—a silent declaration that he wasn't a man to be trifled with. As Shirley's gaze lingered, his dark brows furrowed slightly, a subtle sign of his displeasure. He turned his face away, his posture emanating a distant, unapproachable elegance. Realizing she'd been staring, Shirley quickly averted her eyes. She didn't feel embarrassed. She had merely been momentarily struck by his appearance. After all, admiration was just a natural reflex of the human eye. Still, there was something about his presence that seemed to shrink the elevator's space, making the air feel heavier. Unconsciously, she inched closer to Brook, trying to put more distance between herself and the stranger. Brook was clearly on edge, and he shifted subtly to place himself between Shirley and the man, his posture protective and possessive. It was as if he feared this other man might claim something—or someone—that belonged to him. The man noticed Brook's subtle movements, and a mocking smirk flashed across his cold eyes. The look he gave was one of pure disdain, as if to say Brook's actions were laughable. Oddly enough, the boy at the man's feet was far more endearing. He kept sneaking glances at Shirley. When Shirley caught him staring, his cheeks flushed a bright red. The sight was so adorably sweet it was almost impossible not to laugh. Unfortunately, Shirley wasn't in the mood for playfulness. Her heart was weighed down by too many worries to truly enjoy the moment. The elevator doors slid open on the 38th floor. Shirley and Brook stepped out first. Inside the elevator, the boy's gaze dimmed as he watched Shirley's retreating figure. But before disappointment could fully settle on his face, he was scooped up into the man's arms. The man carried him out of the elevator, following Shirley and Brook. The boy's eyes immediately lit up. His focus zeroed in on Shirley's figure, as if it were the most fascinating thing he'd ever seen. His gaze was unwavering, not even daring to blink. The man noticed his son's unusual behavior, a flicker of surprise passing through his sharp eyes. It was rare for this little one to show such interest in anything, or anyone, for that matter. Across the grand lobby, Shirley and Brook made their way to the reception desk to inquire about Kyle's exact location. Meanwhile, a stunningly beautiful woman appeared from the other side of the lobby, walking toward the father and son. She was breathtaking. Her beauty was so striking that the entire lobby seemed to pause as heads turned in unison to watch her approach. Trailing behind her was a formidable entourage of over a dozen tall, imposing bodyguards, moving like an army in perfect formation. Shirley noticed her immediately and tugged at Brook's sleeve. "That's Nina Gale, Kyle Yoder's woman. Let's follow her. She'll lead us to him." Shirley had seen Nina once before. Nina's beauty was unforgettable—enchanting, almost otherworldly, like a goddess from a fairytale. Rumors painted her as ruthlessly efficient. She managed Kyle's vast empire of establishments with an iron grip. Despite her seductive charm, few dared to cross her on her turf. Whenever people spoke of Nina, they couldn't help but marvel. "She's exactly what you'd expect from Mr. Yoder's woman." Now, Nina stood before the man holding the boy. Her voice was soft and sultry, carrying an almost feline laziness. "Mr. Blackwood, Kyle has prepared food and drinks in a private room. He's waiting for you. Please follow me." The man acknowledged her with a curt, indifferent hum. His flawless features remained devoid of expression, yet his towering stature and commanding air made him stand out even among the most distinguished. His innate nobility and quiet authority overshadowed Nina, rendering her dazzling presence almost insignificant in comparison. Unsurprisingly, the crowd's attention shifted from Nina's stunning beauty to the enigmatic man. As if oblivious to the attention he was drawing, the man gently adjusted his son in his hold, lowering the boy's face against his chest to shield him from prying eyes. Holding the child close, he strode forward without so much as glancing at anyone. Nina followed closely behind, her attitude unusually deferential, flanked by her entourage of bodyguards. "Who is that man? Kyle's name carries so much weight in Elderstone, but even Nina addressed the man more respectfully than Kyle. She called that man Mr. Blackwood... Who could he possibly be?"