Thinking of this possibility, Maeve almost blacked out. She barely held onto the table before standing up. She couldn't wait; she needed to think.

The mastermind's target was the McDaniel family. If the police couldn't obtain evidence of the McDaniel family abandoning Will, they might panic. In a moving black van, Will's hands were tied behind his back, surrounded by burly men.

"Gentlemen," Will asked calmly, his tone almost polite, "May I ask where you are taking me?" The scar-faced man in front waved his fist. "Little brat, don't ask so many questions. Stay put."

Will said, "Okay. But can I have a glass of milk? It's dinnertime."

The scar-faced man's mouth twitched. He turned fiercely. "You're our hostage! How dare you make demands?"

Will asked, "Are you going to kill me?"

"Of course!"

Will tilted his head. "Then, before you kill me, can you give me a glass of milk? My mother said children need to eat on time to grow taller."

He didn't want Theo to grow taller than him.

Everyone in the car was speechless. They wondered if Will was mentally challenged.

"If you say another word, I'll throw you out!" the scar-faced man threatened.

"Sir, anger is bad for your health," Will said seriously. "At your age, you likely have children and elders in your family. Your motive is money—to make life easier. I understand."

The scar-faced man turned. "As a hostage, you understand the kidnappers?"

The others laughed.

Will replied, "Yes. Strictly speaking, we're in a mutually beneficial partnership. You want money; I want to return to my family safely. Why don't we cooperate?"

The scar-faced man stared blankly. He thought, "This child looks only four or five years old. Why is he so smart?" He was almost convinced.

The scar-faced man finally relented. "Hey, untie him and give him some bread and milk." He was just a child; untying him posed no threat.

"Alright, boss." Will took the food from a burly man and thanked him politely. "Thank you, sir."

Seeing him eat calmly, the scar-faced man smiled. "Kid, you're bold. Aren't you afraid we'll poison your food?"

"You wouldn't," Will said with a harmless smile. "If I die, you can't get a ransom from my father, can you?"

He knew Byron would kill them if he died.

The scar-faced man threw back his head and laughed. "Interesting! No wonder the client paid so much to kidnap this child. He's so smart, it's frightening."

After eating, Will asked the burly man to retie his hands. His cooperation was unsettling.

"Sir, where are you taking me?" Will asked.

"You don't need to know," the scar-faced man sneered. "It won't be a good place."

Will's eyelashes drooped. He thought, Is that so? He desperately wanted to know who had been trying to make him disappear since he could remember. This was the umpteenth time. No matter where he was—even in a heavily guarded manor—that person could kidnap him. To get answers, he had to use himself as bait.

Will narrowed his eyes, his expression mirroring Byron's for a moment—sharp and cold.

The driver suddenly stammered, "Boss, there's something wrong with the car in front..."

They looked up to see a runaway truck bearing down on them. In a flash, it collided.

Half an hour later, Maeve arrived at the McDaniel family home in Maple Hill. The police had sealed off the main entrance.

"Maeve." A familiar, mocking voice came from behind.

She turned, stunned to see Karen. It wasn't her presence that shocked Maeve, but Karen's appearance. She was emaciated, her face gaunt, and dark bruises under her eyes were barely concealed by makeup. She looked haggard and malevolent.

Karen met Maeve's gaze. "Maeve, are you here to watch the McDaniel family's show, too?" Her smile was sinister.

"Don't compare yourself to me," Maeve frowned. "You leaked the news online, didn't you? Are you crazy?"

She thought: The McDaniel family had been kind to Karen. The Booth family's power in Kleymond stemmed from the McDaniels' help. Yet, Karen spread rumors, smearing the family and portraying herself as a victim.

Karen asked, "Don't pretend I'm the only one who hates Byron and the McDaniels. Didn't Byron force you to have an abortion? Don't you hate him?"

Disbelief flashed in Maeve's eyes. "How did you know that?"

Karen, realizing her slip, sneered. "I was Byron's secretary. And at least I dare confront the McDaniel family. What about you? You lack the courage to seek justice from Byron!"

Maeve suppressed her anger. "You kidnapped Byron's son? Where is he?"

"How dare you ask such a stupid question?" Karen's face contorted. "I'm sending him where he belongs—"

Before she finished, Maeve grabbed her neck. No matter how Karen struggled, Maeve's grip didn't loosen.

"Maeve, you dare!" Karen's face was red, eyes bulging. "The police are inside! Don't touch me!"

Maeve's eyes were cold. "Where is he?"

Karen's face twisted. "You're so concerned about that little bastard. Could it be that you gave birth to him? If so, strangle me, and he dies with me! I won't lose!"

Maeve tightened her grip, lifting Karen slightly off the ground. Just as Karen was about to suffocate...