Chapter 245

“A leopard can’t change its spots,” Debra said. Juan’s defense of her would only inflame Melody’s anger. Juan’s phone rang, cutting through the tension. Debra glanced down; it was Joe.

His urgent voice filled the line. “Sir, we have a problem.”

“What’s wrong?”

“Miss Vargas is missing!”

“Have you contacted her family?”

“Yes, sir. She hasn’t returned home.”

Debra listened quietly, her mind racing. There was only one route back from the Sapphire Hotel. If Hester had returned, she would have encountered Joe’s car. Her absence suggested something serious had happened.

‘Could Shelia have done something to Hester?’ Her brow furrowed slightly as she considered the possibilities. But it seemed unlikely Shelia would act so swiftly, having just met Hester.

Juan ended the call. “Go ahead and take a shower. Don’t worry about this.”

Before Debra could respond, a text message arrived on Juan’s phone:

To save Miss Vargas, prepare a ransom of ten million dollars. No police.

The kidnapper also sent an address. Debra glanced at the screen and asked, “Are you going in person?” If something happened to Hester, Melody wouldn’t rest easily.

Juan’s silence confirmed Debra’s suspicions. He knew he had to go find Hester.

“I’ll go with you,” she offered.

Downstairs, Melody was furious to learn of Hester’s kidnapping. Hester was the daughter of the Vargas family, who were on good terms with the Nichols family; they had several joint projects underway. Moreover, Melody was fond of Hester. For a while, the entire Nichols family mobilized to search for her.

Juan took a check for ten million dollars and immediately left. Debra took the passenger seat, remaining silent until they reached an abandoned car factory on the city’s outskirts.

The atmosphere was eerily quiet, broken only by faint sounds of a woman struggling from within. Juan got out of the car, and Debra quickly deduced Hester was being held in a small workshop ahead.

Suddenly, a figure rushed from a corner. A masked man held a knife to Debra’s neck. Juan demanded sternly, “I’ve brought the money. Let her go!”

Debra felt the knife tremble against her skin. This wasn’t a professional kidnapper like Aaron, who had taken her before.

“Don’t come any closer! Or I’ll kill her!” he warned, his voice young. He seemed to be a teenager. Debra remained calm. “Keep that knife steady. If you harm me, you’ll not only lose the money, but your life as well.”

“Shut up!” he snapped, moving the knife slightly away from Debra’s neck.

“The money is yours. Let her go. We won’t pursue this, and we won’t involve the police,” Debra said.

“Really?” He seemed to be weighing his options.

“Of course,” Debra replied. “You kidnapped Miss Vargas for money, right? Well, the money is here now. Why hold me hostage?”