Chapter 249: Kidnapped

Hearing this, I looked up in surprise and said, "Was it Dad who caused the Pemberton family's crisis?"

"I wouldn't say it was my doing. I just made a deal with Joseph."

Henry didn't want to say much about this deal. He just looked at me calmly and said, "You just need to know that the Pemberton family is finished, so you can confidently buy their stocks. This is my surprise for you."

It really was a surprise. Since my rebirth, I'd been dreaming about how to get revenge on Knox and the Pemberton family. That day had finally come.

I quickly said, "I know what to do."

Henry nodded slightly, "Alright, go rest."

The next day when I returned to the company, I told Maximus to continue buying Pemberton Group stocks with full force. Maximus was so excited his hands were shaking.

"Ms. Lockwood, am I about to witness a company's takeover?"

I nodded slightly, "Whether the Lockwood Group can swallow up the Pemberton Group depends on you this time."

"Don't worry, Ms. Lockwood, I'll make sure the Pemberton Group gets what's coming to them!"

Maximus left laughing.

I understood his feelings, because the fate of the Pemberton Group was now in his hands.

Near noon, I got a call from Natasha. "Helena, I want to ask you for a favor."

I already knew what she wanted without her saying it—she wanted me to save the Pemberton Group. How naive. Couldn't she think that maybe the Pemberton Group's situation was because I was pushing things behind the scenes?

Before she could finish, I said directly, "If you want me to help save the Pemberton Group, forget it."

"Why!"

Natasha on the other end instantly broke down. "Didn't you say you didn't hate him anymore? Even for old times' sake, please help him. Really, as long as you can help him get through this, we'll agree to any conditions."

"I won't help."

I said calmly to Natasha, "I don't believe you didn't know about him working with Ivan. The Pemberton family and I are in a fight to the death. How could I possibly help my enemy?"

After hearing my words, Natasha hesitated for a moment. "How did you find out about this?"

"Never mind how I found out. You just need to know I won't help the Pemberton family."

My words finally made Natasha completely break down. On the other end, she kept cursing that I'd die a horrible death.

I hung up. If I was going to die horribly, wouldn't those with evil intentions have to die a hundred times over?

I didn't take this little incident to heart at all. I was determined to take down the Pemberton Group this time!

That evening as usual, the driver and bodyguard took me home. When we reached the house, the car suddenly hit a large rock and was forced to stop.

Looking at the rock that appeared out of nowhere, the driver frowned. "What's going on? How could there be a rock in the residential area?"

He opened the door and got out. The bodyguard looked uneasy. "Ms. Lockwood, stay in the car. I'll go check it out."

The Lockwood Manor gate was just a few steps ahead. Even if someone was crazy enough to try something, they surely wouldn't do it here. Still, I obediently stayed in the car without moving.

The bodyguard got out and looked around. Seeing nothing unusual, he bent down with the driver to move the rock.

When the two men walked away, suddenly a dark figure rushed up quickly, opened the car door, jumped into the driver's seat, and started the car fast.

This all happened in just an instant. By the time the bodyguard and I realized what was happening, the car had already shot forward.

I was thrown onto the back seat by the jolting. When I climbed up, I saw who was driving and my eyes went wide. "Ivan, it's you!"

Ivan pressed hard on the gas pedal. The car roared loudly as it drove away. He turned his head, showing all his white teeth in a grin. "Helena, it's me! Surprised?"

I knew Ivan was up to no good this time. I couldn't just sit and wait. I reached into my bag and dialed the emergency contact number.

The emergency contact was set to Atlas. I could only hope he'd come save me quickly.

Not long after driving out, the car suddenly stopped. Ivan opened the door and smiled at me. "Helena, get out."

I got out, trying to stay calm. "Where are you taking me?"

"Don't worry, it won't be too far."

Ivan reached out and grabbed my bag, then took out my phone and smashed it hard on the ground. The phone lit up briefly then went dark.

I stayed silent, knowing that whatever I said now, Ivan wouldn't listen. I could only follow his instructions and get into a beat-up taxi by the roadside.

The car was old and broken down. As soon as I got in, there was a terrible smell. Seeing me frown, Ivan leaned against the car door and sneered at me. "Disgusted? Well, I'm like a stray dog now, and it's all thanks to you!"

Hearing this, I couldn't help but look up and say coldly, "Ivan, if you hadn't had evil intentions, how could you have ended up like this? This is all your own doing!"

"My own doing!"

My words completely enraged Ivan. He grabbed my hand, his voice fierce. "Everything in the Lockwood family should be mine. If you hadn't held onto it, how could I have resorted to this!"

I didn't expect that even now, Ivan was still stubborn. There was nothing to say to someone like this.

Seeing my silence, Ivan snorted coldly, threw my hand away hard, and quickly got in to start the car.

I don't know how long we drove. The car went to more and more remote areas, until we saw an abandoned house and the car finally stopped.

When Ivan dragged me out of the car, I was surprised to see Knox.

Seeing my surprise, Knox walked over smiling and brushed away the messy hair on my cheek. "Didn't expect it, did you? That we'd meet under these circumstances."

My heart sank. If it was just Ivan alone, I might have had a chance to escape. But with Knox added in, I had no chance at all. Now I could only hope Atlas would come save me quickly.

Seeing my silence, Knox said, "You're thinking about Atlas, right? Don't worry, he won't find this place so quickly."

I stared at him hard. "Knox, this is a crime. You kidnapped me, you won't get away with it either."

"Who said I kidnapped you?"

Knox spread his arms, very arrogant. "Which eye saw that?"

Seeing his arrogant look, my heart sank. He was right. I was kidnapped by Ivan. He really hadn't appeared. If I could escape today, I'd have a chance to testify against him. But if I couldn't get out, no one would know he was one of the masterminds.

"Alright, go inside and behave!"

Knox said, pushing me into the house.

"What now?"

Ivan's voice came from outside.

Knox continued, "Call Atlas and Henry. If they want to save her, they need to save the Pemberton Group!"

"This isn't what we originally agreed on."

Ivan's voice sounded anxious, then I heard Knox reassure him, "It's the same. To save the Pemberton Group, they'll need money—a lot of money. That way, it can also drag down the Lockwood Group. Listen to me, I'm right."