Chapter 375: Maggie's Kidnapping
Maggie knew Nathael harbored lingering resentment over Timothy's abduction of her. She wanted to give him a chance to overcome that remorse.
Nathael remained stoic, his lips pressed together as he considered her proposition. Maggie, feeling unsettled, pressed on. "How about a cosplay adventure?"
Nathael opened his eyes and murmured, "Your boldness is remarkable."
Perplexed, Maggie asked, "What does that mean?" His statement baffled her. "Nathael!" she exclaimed, suspecting a misunderstanding, unaware that within days Timothy would kidnap her.
A subtle grin softened Nathael's features, making him strikingly attractive. Maggie leaned closer. "You smiled! That's an agreement. No backing out!"
Nathael's brow furrowed. His voice chilled. "These are seasoned international mercenaries. If you're captured and anything goes wrong…"
Unfazed, Maggie met his gaze. "Nothing will go wrong, Nathael. You're the best! Have faith in yourself!"
Maggie painted a hopeful future, leaving Nathael speechless. Even at the company, he remained subdued. Yet Maggie stood beside him, smiling and chatting with others. She had unwavering faith in him, knowing he valued himself more than his own life. Another mishap could be fatal.
After much persuasion, Nathael finally nodded in agreement.
The next day, around noon, Maggie left Nathael's side, creating an opportunity for Sierra. Knowing Sierra's tight security, Maggie knew her chances were slim.
While hailing a cab, Nathael, distrustful, had secretly given Maggie a dagger and sedatives (their source unknown). As Maggie signaled a cab, a white van screeched to a halt.
Two figures in helmets and military boots emerged. Maggie tried to protest, but before she could react, a sedative-soaked cloth covered her mouth.
She held her breath, feigning unconsciousness. She was thrown into the van, which lacked several seats. The cold metal floor bit through her clothing, her discomfort increasing with every jolt.
Despite holding her breath, she inhaled enough sedatives to feel drowsy and disoriented. Her condition wasn't good, but her acting skills, combined with experience, allowed her to maintain some awareness.
"Search her. See if she has anything on her," a foreign man said. Maggie felt someone searching her, taking her phone and wallet. Two advanced tracking devices went unnoticed because of the difficulty in obtaining high-end inspection machines with these mercenaries in the country.
From the moment Maggie entered the van, Nathael's car had followed discreetly. Nathael, shadowed and tense, felt a fear he hadn't experienced since Timothy's last abduction. He dared not imagine the consequences of failure. He regretted letting her act so recklessly.
The kidnappers were aware of anti-tracking measures, but Nathael had prepared. Each intersection had a car ready to blend in, each equipped with a computer and personnel monitoring Maggie's location (a red dot on a screen).
At every intersection, another team monitored signals to avoid losing track. All Aquapolis street cameras and monitors were operational. The white van was a moving target.
Despite meticulous planning, when Nathael’s car was replaced, the van disappeared. Panic overwhelmed him. He replayed the plan, searching for oversights. His gaze remained fixed on the screen, fearing the tracker might be discovered.
However, his concerns were unfounded. While the mercenaries had strong counter-surveillance, it was only effective against ordinary people or typical mercenaries. Nathael's personnel were highly skilled, extensively trained since childhood. He'd also personally selected a significant number from the military district. They successfully tracked the van to an abandoned warehouse on the outskirts.
Maggie remained unconscious throughout the journey, her hands and feet bound. Someone hoisted her over their shoulder upon arrival. Maggie opened her eyes, recognizing the location as the same one from her past life.
The familiar surroundings, the desolate warehouse – a wave of blood-soaked memories returned, along with piercing pain. Every breath felt agonizing, filled with fear and despair.
Maggie fought back fear, reminding herself this life was different. Nathael was nearby; he would rescue her.
Maggie rarely placed her hopes on others, but she felt compelled to trust Nathael completely. Perhaps because she had so little to offer herself, all she could give was this unwavering trust.