Chapter 253

Chapter 253

Elena's blood turned to ice. Her hands and feet went cold, and her head spun so violently she nearly lost her balance.

She gripped the edge of the table, nails digging into her palm. The pain kept her focused.

"Ms. Reed, this has nothing to do with me."

"I have no idea why Chloe suddenly dropped off a kid and claimed she's Kian's."

Elena said nothing. Indigo kept talking, a smirk in his voice.

"If she really is Kian's, that makes her my niece. I have no clue what got into Chloe—something about using the kid to get back at you..."

Elena's heart clenched. Her jaw tightened.

"If anything happens to my daughter, I swear I won't let any of you get away with it."

"Oh?"

Indigo clicked his tongue, his tone slow and mocking.

"Now, that's not fair. I'm being kind, protecting your kid for you."

He chuckled. "Though, she doesn't seem to be doing so well. She keeps crying for her mommy. Poor little thing—already so fragile. If she gets too scared, catches a chill, and her condition worsens... that'd be tragic, wouldn't it?"

He paused deliberately, every word a needle to Elena's heart.

"Don't you think so, Ms. Reed?"

Elena took a deep breath, forcing herself to stay calm.

She knew Indigo wouldn't call unless he wanted something.

Panicking wouldn't help. The more she panicked, the easier it would be for him to control her.

"Indigo, what do you want? Just tell me your terms."

Indigo laughed.

"Ms. Reed, you really are a smart woman."

"No rush. Let's take our time. I'm at the old factory on the outskirts. Come alone. And remember—don't tell Kian."

The line went dead.

Elena stood frozen, phone still in her hand.

Olivia and Zoe saw her face and rushed over, their hearts racing.

"What happened? Who was that? Is there news about Nora?"

"I found her." Elena took a deep breath, shoving down the rising panic. She looked up at them, her voice heavy. "Indigo has her."

The fleeting relief on their faces vanished instantly. Both of them went pale.

"Indigo?"

Olivia's brow furrowed, her tone sharp.

"Wasn't Chloe the one who took her? How did she end up with him? That man is dangerous."

Olivia looked genuinely confused.

Everyone knew Kian and Indigo were enemies.

Olivia explained:

"For the past five years, Indigo's been working with Howard, trying to take Kian down. They've pulled every dirty trick in the book."

"But they're both too incompetent. Every time, Kian crushes them before they can even get started."

"Still, Indigo's vicious. When he can't win fair and square, he goes low. He'll do anything—no morals, no limits."

Olivia paused, her gaze shifting to Elena.

"Nora being in his hands is worse than being with Chloe."

"Chloe's petty jealousy is one thing. Indigo will actually use a child as leverage. He's capable of anything."

Elena leaned back against the couch, closing her eyes briefly as she pieced everything together.

Chloe had run into her at the airport. She'd taken Nora. But instead of going to Kian to gloat, she'd quietly handed the child over to Indigo.

She wanted revenge. But she'd chosen the stupidest way possible. Chloe was obsessed with Kian—this move was like handing Indigo a weapon to use against him.

Elena opened her eyes. They were cold and sharp.

Zoe's voice trembled after hearing Olivia's warning. "What does Indigo want with Nora?"

"I'm not his target."

Elena's tone was certain. Her fingers tapped lightly against her knee.

"The person he's after has always been Kian."

Olivia nodded.

"And this is his chance."

She continued, "Kian's company is about to go public. If any kind of scandal breaks now, it could destroy him."

"I have to go."

Elena stood, grabbing her coat and throwing it on.

"No way!" Olivia blocked her path, her expression tight with worry.

"We don't even know what kind of trap you're walking into. Going alone is way too dangerous!"

Olivia thought for a moment, then said:

"If you're going, we're going together. Or we call the police. Or we tell Kian!"

"We can't tell Kian. Not yet." Elena shook her head.

"Indigo specifically told me to come alone. If I bring the police or Kian, he'll hurt Nora. She's still in his hands. I can't take that risk."

She turned to Zoe, her tone serious.

"Zoe, after I leave, watch the time. If I don't call you in three hours, contact Kian immediately and give him the address. But don't call before then. Don't push Indigo."

"Elena..." Zoe's eyes welled up, her face full of worry.

"But if you go alone, I'm terrified. Indigo's ruthless. What if he—"

"He won't."

Elena cut her off, her voice firm.

"Indigo's target is Kian, not me."

"I came back to the country suddenly. But over the past five years, I've built a solid reputation abroad. He probably thinks I hate Kian. That I came back for revenge. He'll try to recruit me, convince me to help him take Kian down."

"Either way, until he's convinced me, he won't hurt me. And he definitely won't hurt Nora."

That was the conclusion she'd reached after running through every angle.

If Indigo really wanted to hurt Nora, he wouldn't have bothered calling. He wouldn't be negotiating.

He called to lure her in. To manipulate her. To turn her into a weapon against Kian.

In his eyes, she'd been deeply hurt by Kian. She'd faked her death and disappeared for five years. She had to be full of hatred.

All he had to do was nudge her in the right direction, and she'd do his dirty work.

"He thinks I'm here for revenge. Fine. I'll play along."

Elena's lips curled into a cold smile.

"I'll keep him calm. I'll see Nora. I'll make sure she's safe. Everything else comes after."

Olivia saw the determination in her eyes and knew there was no point arguing. She sighed.

"Fine. But be careful. Keep your phone on. I'll be listening the whole time. If anything seems off, we're coming in."

"Don't worry." Elena squeezed her arm gently, taking a deep breath. "I need to bring Nora home safe. I'm not taking any stupid risks."

With that, she grabbed her car keys and walked out the door without another word.

---

The car headed toward the outskirts. The view outside shifted from towering skyscrapers to desolate, crumbling factories.

Elena's grip on the steering wheel tightened. She'd be lying if she said she wasn't scared.

But for her daughter, she'd walk through fire.