Chapter 508

Bryan suddenly looked up and stared hard at Carmen. In the instant she froze, he turned his gaze away again.

Ronald was still scolding him. “He was just being concerned? What a joke! The older you get, the dumber you become! You could tell this was a basic mistake, but he still walked right into it!”

He continued, “Use your brain for once! Aubree didn’t make a single move. She must have a backup plan. And you? You went straight to help her out!”

Bryan didn’t argue. He really had been too confident, thinking everything was seamless and Aubree would never catch on. In the end, he fell right into her trap.

Clenching his fists, he spoke in a low voice. “Dad, I was careless this time. Next time I’ll…”

Ronald raised a hand, cutting him off. “I’ve already decided. Carmen will be transferred from the branch office to the headquarters as a project manager. If she performs well, she’ll be promoted to deputy general manager.”

Bryan froze. His clenched fists tightened even more. “I understand.”

He suddenly recalled how things were when Aubree was still in the Wilson family. No matter what happened, even if Aubree wasn’t at fault, Carmen would put on a show, say a few lines, and everyone would turn around and blame Aubree.

Now, Bryan finally understood what that felt like.

Ronald walked away.

Carmen pretended to be clueless. “Bryan… I didn’t know…”

“Congratulations.” Bryan slowly straightened up and looked down at her. “I underestimated you.”

That look in his eyes made Carmen furious. She knew it all too well.

From the moment she was sent to the orphanage, this was the look that followed her: disdain. Bryan always looked down on her.

No, Bryan had never looked up to her.

When she first came to the Wilson family, he hadn’t spared her a glance. Years of trying to win his approval had only barely earned her acknowledgment as a “sister.”

When Aubree came back, she reminded Bryan that it was his fault Aubree went missing. He had lost his sister. He owed his real sister.

With her constant hints, Bryan developed a fear and obsession with controlling Aubree. Any time Aubree resisted, it felt like a reminder of his failure. And the more she resisted, the more he’d lash out. Every time, Carmen benefited from that.

But now, she had shares, she had backing, and she was in the company. Bryan shouldn’t look down on her anymore.

Carmen smirked. “I don’t know what you’re talking about, Bryan. Dad only let me into the company to help you out. Don’t take it the wrong way.”

Bryan didn’t bother arguing.

He said, “No matter how much I don’t want Aubree in the company, she’s still my real sister. And you? What are you? Think you can compete with her?”

He looked at her with clear disdain. “You’d better make that project of yours a success.”

At the mention of the shared e-bike project, Carmen’s expression shifted slightly. “I know you’re in a bad mood right now. I won’t argue with you.”

Bryan stepped closer and sneered. “Dear sister, your health’s gotten a lot better, hasn’t it? Haven’t had a single heart attack lately.”

Carmen’s face changed. She tried to keep calm. “That’s because Mom and Dad take good care of me. My condition improved with rest.”

Bryan didn’t respond. He just gave her a cold look. This wasn’t over.

Meanwhile, Mark and Bowen had finally pinpointed Nina’s location after a day and a night of searching.

“This villa is under the name of a former Wilson family housekeeper. She worked for them for years, and her husband was a driver for the family. He got into an accident and saved Ronald’s life, losing a leg in the process. The Wilson family gave them this villa.”

“Her husband died later, and she went back to the countryside to raise her grandson. The villa was never sold, just left…”

“The nearby cameras caught a vehicle involved in the kidnapping heading here. Unless we’re wrong, this is the place.”

Mark checked his gear. “Let’s move.”

Inside the villa, Nina had already untied herself. She’d woken up in the middle of the night. Seeing it was a remote area, she knew escaping on her own would be rough, so she decided to wait for rescue.

After all, she was alone. Those two kidnappers weren’t much of a threat.

Now, she had re-tied herself with a slipknot. From the outside, it looked secure, but she could get out easily.

Then, Timothy’s voice sounded. “Hey there, sweetheart. Hungry?”

Nina narrowed her eyes as Timothy walked in with a tray of food, grinning lecherously.

He said, “My wife’s a cold-hearted bitch. She wouldn’t let you eat all day. But I couldn’t bear to see a pretty girl starve, so I brought you something to eat.”

He shoved the tray toward her. She didn’t take it, but that didn’t stop him. One hand held the food, the other slid onto her leg.

Her skin was smooth. It felt amazing.

Timothy was completely entranced. He thought city girls sure were different. Even their skin was on another level.

Nina’s fingers twitched.

Timothy said, “Stick with me, girl, I promise nothing will happen to you?”

Nina rolled her eyes. “Is that so?”

Even her cold smile left him dazed.

“Sweetheart…” His hand reached out again. Nina kicked him hard in the face, sending him flying.

“You untied yourself!” Timothy stared at her in shock, then looked down at the ropes. He couldn’t understand how this weak-looking girl had escaped.

He tried to get up, but suddenly his face twisted in pain. He grabbed his stomach, his body shaking uncontrollably. “It hurts… hurts so bad…”

He frantically reached out, trying to grab onto anything. “Help… somebody, help me…”

Before he could finish, he collapsed, foaming at the mouth, eyes rolling back.

Nina frowned. “Is he just pretending?” she thought.

She walked over and checked his breath. Her expression changed. Timothy was dead, just like that.

A chill ran down her spine. Nina pulled the door open. Before she could even reach the stairs, she spotted Marina collapsed on the carpet. She was also foaming at the mouth, lifeless.

Her eyes moved to the untouched food on the table. There was no way they both committed suicide. Someone did this.

The Wilson family? Nina thought, a flicker of suspicion in her mind.

Before she could investigate, a voice rang out from outside.

“Everyone, listen up! You’re surrounded. Release the hostage and surrender immediately!”