Chapter 595: Tan's True Identity

Before answering, Tan added, "I'll send you the address. Don't call the police, or I'll kill her!" He hung up.

Jimmy's face tightened instantly. He grabbed Rose's phone and raced to the car. Rose, startled, quickly followed and sat in the front seat. Jimmy glanced at her, seemingly disinclined to question her presence, and floored the accelerator. As the car roared away, Rose, frightened, clutched the handle beside her. For the first time, she fully appreciated his power as a bodyguard.

Rose remained silent, understanding Jimmy's mission to save Hannah. She had followed impulsively, fearing for Hannah's safety.

Driving, Jimmy called, "Sir, Ma'am's been taken by Tan."

Oscar's face darkened.

"I'll send you the address. He wants you to come, but we can't call the police; he'll kill her."

At those words, Rose went deathly pale.

"I'm on my way. Come quickly!"

"Mm-hmm," Oscar replied, already leaving the villa.

Max called after him, "Sir, where are you going at this hour? You're not fully recovered! Where are you going?"

Ignoring him, Oscar sped off. He called Theodore, "Tan kidnapped Hannah. I'm going to save her; you follow. Don't call anyone else. Keep it quiet."

"Understood," Theodore replied, leaping out of bed and driving to meet Oscar. He had been home recovering for only two days after his release, and had finally gone to bed early, only to be awakened.

Tan Laurier had kidnapped Hannah.

Theodore stared in astonishment.

Did he reveal himself so soon?

Hannah awoke on a deserted shore, her head swimming. Disoriented, she was unsure of her circumstances until a familiar voice from the front seat asked, "Are you awake?"

Terrified, Hannah sat up, staring at Tan with alarm. She now recalled him knocking her unconscious.

"Wondering why?" Tan stubbed out his cigarette. Even with the windows open, the acrid smell was strong; he had clearly been smoking heavily.

Hannah fought to remain calm. Since Tan hadn't killed her while she was unconscious, she reasoned he was simply trying to threaten someone—Oscar, she suspected. Was he targeting Oscar? That's why he'd taken her first.

It seemed a significant plan.

Tense, she watched Tan turn to her.

"Tan Laurier isn't my real name. It's a disguise."

"Who are you?"

"It doesn't matter. What matters is who Oscar is."

"What are you talking about?" Hannah's voice trembled.

Tan continued slowly, "Ms. Hannah, you're intelligent. I didn't believe you didn't know his identity remains unknown."

She bit her lip.

She'd been right about his target, but she didn't understand why Oscar's true identity was so important.

Tan studied her.

"I don't know who he is. Yes, I found him peculiar. He projects an image of ignorance and incompetence, yet he's powerful and invincible. Still, I have no idea what's behind it!"

Tan stared at her, seemingly convinced by her words. She wasn't lying; Oscar wouldn't reveal a secret identity, especially not to those closest to him.

In any case, Tan hadn't expected to glean further information from Hannah; he'd been waiting for Oscar all along.

"Tan, there's no animosity between us," Hannah said, sensing his belief.

His eyes flickered.

"I've placed my trust in you, given you opportunities to advance. I even considered promoting you to general manager after my father's retirement," Hannah said, a chill running down her spine.

"I had no choice," he replied.

Hannah scoffed, "No choice but to kidnap me, even kill me?"

"I won't kill you," Tan stated plainly.

She blinked.

"My target is Oscar, not you. You're safe."

Hannah remained unconvinced, and Tan offered no further explanation.

"Who are you?" she pressed.

He checked the time—it would be some time before they arrived.

"I work for the aristocratic families."

"Collins?"

"Are you investigating Oscar?"

"I should at least know who's after me, who I should watch out for."

"I work for the aristocratic families as a whole, not for either individually," he replied.

Hannah frowned. He should be taking orders from one family or the other.

"When the two families agreed to jointly administer Northfield, they created an elite underground team, known as the Men of Sacrifice—the best of millions. When one dies, another takes their place, maintaining twenty men constantly, handling all the underhanded work," Tan said casually.

He no longer bothered to conceal it; she would learn soon enough.

"The team doesn't belong to either family. Every mission requires approval from both families' highest authorities," Tan said, looking at her. "Therefore, investigating Oscar's identity is a joint decision."

What secrets did Oscar's identity hold that both families sought to uncover?

Hannah felt a surge of anger. She'd believed the Balderston family was an ally after their recent cooperation, but they had prioritized their own interests.

"There's no such thing as friendship in politics. Power is paramount," Tan stated flatly, seemingly reading her thoughts.