Chapter 317
Glenda replied softly, “Mabel has several phones. Which one are you looking for?”
Jayden looked at her sharply and replied icily, “I’ll need all of them.” Glenda’s heart skipped a beat at the intensity of Jayden’s gaze. She felt an urge to sit down but restrained herself. Obediently, she retrieved the phones.
Lanny, quickly grasping the situation, realized Jayden suspected Mabel. He quickly tried to defend her. “Mr. Owen, I assure you, my daughter has nothing to do with this. She’s missing, and she’s definitely not involved.”
Jayden gave him a knowing smile. “It seems you only think of Mabel. What about Elyse? Doesn’t she count as your daughter, too?”
Lanny caught his mistake and dramatically slapped his own face, exclaiming, “Of course, Elyse is very much in my thoughts, too. She’s actually my favorite, Mr. Owen, you have to believe me.”
Jayden’s suspicions deepened regarding Elyse’s relationship with the Lloyd couple. He had always felt Lanny showed more affection toward Elyse than Glenda did. Perhaps Elyse wasn’t Glenda’s child, but solely Lanny’s. It seemed understandable that Lanny would favor his younger daughter. But now Jayden noticed Lanny’s behavior toward Elyse was no better than Glenda’s. Lanny usually hid his true feelings better. Now, Lanny and Glenda were only concerned about Mabel because she was their biological daughter.
Jayden left without a word, heading straight for the parking lot. The police had cordoned off the area and already removed Elyse’s driver’s body, but they remained to investigate and look for clues. The kidnappers had not contacted the missing girls’ families.
Corrie, who had been quietly following Jayden, turned and left, having discovered nothing worthwhile.
Later that evening, as Glenda sat tearfully on the sofa, Lanny, visibly irritated, flicked his cigarette ash and snapped, “Stop crying. What good does it do?”
Through her tears, Glenda cried out, “My poor daughter’s leg is broken. I have no idea where she is or if she’s being hurt.”
Lanny scoffed, “Jayden confiscated all of Mabel’s phones. You’d better hope they’re clean. Otherwise, Jayden is going to be furious.”
Glenda, her anger rising at his indifferent expression, retorted, “Don’t forget your daughter is still at risk. If Mabel really planned to kidnap Elyse, why would she end up kidnapped herself?”
Lanny took a long drag on his cigarette and said, “I can’t say for certain. What I do know is that Jayden suspects Mabel. I just hope she didn’t conspire against Elyse. If that’s the case, Jayden might try to save both Elyse and Mabel. But if Mabel is involved, the consequences are unimaginable.” He glanced at Glenda and asked, “You understand, right?”
Glenda turned away, unwilling to look at him.
As the clock neared midnight, Glenda’s phone rang abruptly. Assuming it was Mabel, she answered quickly. Instead, a man’s voice said, “Your daughters are with me. If you want them back, prepare the money as we agreed.”
Glenda replied anxiously, “Okay, okay. Just promise me my daughters will be safe, and I’ll pay whatever you ask.”
The man seemed pleased. He removed the gag from Mabel’s mouth, commanding, “Come on. Talk to your mom.”
Mabel burst into tears and cried out, “Mom, help me! My leg is killing me. I think I’m going to die!” She had hoped Elyse would find a way to escape. Even if she couldn’t flee, perhaps she could contact Jayden. She was taken aback when Elyse made no attempt. Anxiety gnawed at Mabel, yet she held her tongue.
As darkness enveloped the outside world, the two girls remained confined. It wasn’t until then that the kidnappers finally called Glenda.
The kidnapper, while on the phone with Glenda, smugly caressed Mabel’s face before stuffing the rag back into her mouth. He coldly instructed, “Meet us at Templefail Harbor tomorrow at eight in the evening. Do not involve the police. Only you and your husband are allowed to come for the exchange.”
Glenda, without a moment’s delay, agreed.
Pausing for effect, the kidnapper added menacingly, “But remember, we have both your daughters. It’ll be interesting to see who you choose to save. One daughter with her leg broken will cost you five million. And the other…” He turned toward Elyse, who sat stoically, and chuckled. “This silent one. She’s a mere million if you wish to save her.” Before ending the call, his voice took on a sinister tone. “I’m looking forward to your decision.”
Once off the phone, he looked at Elyse with a twisted smile and teased, “I promised you a chance to escape, didn’t I? Now it all depends on what your parents decide.”