Chapter 142

“Finally, you picked up!” Steve’s deep voice, brimming with excitement but trembling slightly, crackled through the line.

Vivienne arched a skeptical brow. “Alright, spill it. How much do you need this time?” She knew Steve well; he rarely called unless his finances were dire. He was a decent man, but his judgment often faltered when rare artifacts appeared at auction. Her initial assumption, however, proved wrong.

“Are you Miss Hayes?” A harsh, arrogant voice cut through the connection.

Before Vivienne could respond, Steve’s panicked voice erupted, “Help! They’ve kidnapped… mmph!”

“If you don’t behave, I’ll cut out your tongue!” The haughty voice returned, followed by a sickening thud.

The realization hit Vivienne like a cold shock: Steve had been kidnapped. Her expression hardened into steely determination. “What do you want?”

“Miss Hayes, you embody Timeless Treasures’ owner—straight to the point,” the kidnapper sneered. “Fifty million dollars, delivered to the dock in an hour! Or the old man dies!”

The line went dead. Vivienne’s mind raced. Steve was reclusive; who could he have angered? Then, a memory struck: the suspicious vehicle that had followed her yesterday.

Without hesitation, she contacted Owen to trace Steve’s phone. The signal located him not at the docks, but at an abandoned construction site. Her eyes narrowed as she sped toward the location.

Meanwhile, Natalie, returning from shopping, spotted Vivienne’s car. A wave of remembered humiliation washed over her—the incident at Everett's birthday party, her counterfeit gift exposed before the Mitchells, still burned. Her subsequent attempt to obtain a refund from Vivienne had only deepened her resentment. Seeing Vivienne now rekindled her anger. A venomous smirk twisted Natalie’s lips as she watched.

The Mitchells claimed Vivienne had no connections in Lyhaton. So, where was she rushing? The car wasn't heading toward Timeless Treasures. Interesting. Was Vivienne hiding something? A secret she wouldn't dare reveal? Curiosity and malice fueled Natalie's determination. She would uncover Vivienne's secret.

In her car, Vivienne dialed Owen. “I’m approaching the construction site. Bring backup.”

“Why must you always rush into danger without consulting me first?” Owen sighed, hurriedly dressing. “Vivienne, wait for reinforcements!”

“I’ll try,” Vivienne replied, ending the call. She glanced in her rearview mirror, noticing the vehicle trailing her. A hint of mockery played on her lips.

Behind her, Natalie observed Vivienne’s sudden acceleration. Had she been spotted? Or was Vivienne racing to protect some dark secret? Natalie pressed the accelerator, pursuing relentlessly, determination burning in her eyes.