64.3%
Chapter 72
Asher let out a cold laugh. “You’re trying to blackmail me? You dare?”
In high school, Vanessa Miller had confessed her feelings to him, and he had politely declined.
But the girl had stuck to him like glue, following him everywhere.
Her pursuit of him at school had become notorious.
Thoroughly annoyed, he had eventually used his family’s influence to force her to transfer schools.
After Vanessa transferred, he finally had some peace.
Unfortunately, it didn’t last long. When he entered university, he encountered her again.
She had somehow discovered he was attending Oxford University and had managed to get accepted there as well.
Every day, she would bring him breakfast, follow him to his lectures, and constantly send him love letters and gifts.
Vanessa once again became infamous at the university for her relentless pursuit of him.
Now she was sobbing desperately. “Asher, do you really not care if I live or die? Why are you so heartless? Is my life worth less than an engagement ceremony?”
Asher remained perfectly calm, like an emotionless machine. His voice was utterly cold. “That routine
might work on other men, but not on me.”
Vanessa tried to say more, but Asher didn’t give her the chance.
He ended the call abruptly and immediately dispatched security to find her, while ensuring the engagement ceremony would proceed as planned.
It wasn’t that he cared about Vanessa, but if she wasn’t found quickly, she would certainly disrupt the
ceremony.
If she actually jumped and died during his and Gabriella’s engagement, it would be catastrophic.
Having someone die at their engagement would traumatize Gabriella, and might even prevent their eventual marriage altogether.
In a room somewhere in the estate, Vanessa stood frozen for several seconds after Asher hung up on her.
17:04
The Encrunted I ine to the White House: A Scorned Heiress’s Annihilation
64.5%
Chapter 72
Then, in a sudden burst of rage, she hurled her phone against the wall before descending into a full–blown tantrum, throwing anything within reach.
Grace watched Vanessa’s breakdown with cold detachment. “Miss Miller, why are you so impatient?”
After exhausting herself, Vanessa collapsed onto the floor, muttering despondently, “He truly doesn’t care if I live or die. How can he not care about me at all?”
Grace let out a contemptuous laugh, her eyes flashing with disdain as she pulled out a lighter and unhurriedly lit a cigarette.
A sharp knocking sounded at the door.
One of Grace’s bodyguards went to answer it.
“Miss Bennett, the woman is surrounded by security–we couldn’t get to her. But we did manage to catch this little one,” reported the tall bodyguard in black, holding Lucy like a rag doll.
Lucy’s hands were tied behind her back, her legs kicking wildly as she struggled desperately. A strip of black tape covered her mouth, and her eyes were wide with terror.
Grace took a leisurely drag of her cigarette, exhaling a ring of smoke. “Useless,” she murmured.
The bodyguard lowered his head in silence.
Grace glanced at her watch. “It’s about time. Let’s go.”
She stood up and looked down at the weeping Vanessa with contempt, narrowing her eyes.
Grace’s smile was like Satan’s from the depths of hell–technically a smile, but one that sent chills down the spine.
“Miss Miller, I suggest you pull yourself together and stick to our plan. If anything goes wrong because of you, I won’t pay a single penny toward your father’s medical bills.”
Without waiting for Vanessa’s response, Grace turned and left.
Vanessa wiped away her tears and struggled to her feet, following Grace with a hollow, defeated
expression.
With twenty minutes until the engagement ceremony was set to begin, Lucy had gone missing.
Victoria was nearly in tears with worry. “She told me she wanted to play for a bit while we were in the preparation room, so I let her go. Now I can’t find her anywhere.”
Lady Blackwood tried to reassure her: “Don’t worry, everyone here is a guest for the engagement. Lucy
17:04
The Encrypted Line to the White House: A Scorned Heiress’s Annihilation
64.8%
Chapter 72
won’t be in any danger. Children get carried away playing–she’s probably exploring the grounds outside. The estate is enormous; it’s normal not to find her right away. We should check the security footage.”
“My father’s already reviewing the footage,” Gabriella said. “Let’s split up to look for her and send more people to search.”
Just then, a collective gasp rose from the crowd ahead of them.
They turned to look and instantly went pale with horror.
The large screen intended for displaying the engagement slideshow was now showing footage of Lucy, bound and crying hysterically.
“Daddy, Mummy, Gabriella, where are you?” she sobbed frantically. “I want my mummy! Let me go!”
“Mummy, a bad man took me. Please come save me!” she continued to wail.
On the screen, Lucy was tied to a chair, crying and struggling.
Victoria nearly fainted, her legs giving way beneath her. Gabriella quickly caught her. “Victoria—”
“Gabriella, what about Lucy? Do something…” Victoria could barely speak through her tears. “How could
she be… kidnapped… I…”
Her sobs were heartbreaking. “If anything happens to Lucy, I don’t want to live…”
“How could this happen? Everyone here is a guest of our families. Who would kidnap Lucy?” Lady
Blackwood was bewildered.
At that moment, an eerie, digitally distorted voice came through the hall’s speakers:
“Gabriella Rodriguez, if you want your sister to live, come to the rooftop.”
Gabriella froze for a split second before turning and sprinting toward the elevators.
Asher caught up and grabbed her arm. “Gabby, don’t go! It’s too dangerous!”
Gabriella struggled violently against his grip. “I have to! They’re targeting me. If I don’t go, Lucy will be in
danger.”
“We need to call the police first,” Asher said calmly.
“Go ahead and call them, but don’t stop me! Every second I delay puts Lucy in more danger. I can’t risk her life!” Gabriella was on the verge of tears. “Lucy was kidnapped because of me. I can’t stand by and
watch her get hurt.”
17:04
The Encrypted Line to the White House: A Scorned Heiress’s Annihilation
65.0%
Chapter 72
Asher raised his voice, his grip tightening. “So you’re willing to risk your own life instead?”
Just then, a man ran up to them. “Sir, we’ve found Miss Lucy. She’s on the roof.”
“Call the police,” Asher ordered sharply.
“Already done, sir. They’re on their way,” the man responded.
Asher remained calm and focused, his mind racing. “Gabby, they kidnapped Lucy to lure you up there. You can’t fall into their trap. I’m sending every security guard in the estate to the roof right now. You need to stay calm, alright?”
Gabriella’s hands were shaking with fear. “I…”
Suddenly, screams erupted throughout the hall.
Gabriella looked up sharply.
On the screen, a knife was now being held to Lucy’s throat.
A masked figure pressed the blade against the child’s neck. “Gabriella Rodriguez, I’m giving you five minutes. If you don’t come, your sister will die in your place!”
In the split second that Asher was distracted by the screen, Gabriella wrenched free from his grasp and
ran.
17:04
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.