Chapter 42 Death Is Death

Chapter 42 Death Is Death

Flora reached out her hand and gently closed the ring box.

Her fingertip rested on the box, her expression more serious than ever. "We haven't been together long enough. We don't really know each other yet, and I'm worried this feeling might just be fake emotions built on novelty. So, let's wait a bit longer."

She was human too, with desires. After spending these days together, she could feel Gavin's sincerity.

But hearts can change. She didn't want to rush into a relationship only to end up breaking up.

"Okay." Gavin closed his fingers and took the ring back.

"I'll use time to prove that my feelings for you are real."

Though rejected, he could clearly feel he'd gotten one step closer to Flora.

His gaze was so genuine that Flora felt burned by it and instinctively looked away. "Well, drive safe."

"You too."

Gavin stood there, quietly watching Flora leave.

Only after she'd gone far did he walk around to open the trunk.

The moment the trunk opened, warm yellow light illuminated a car full of roses and gifts.

He pulled out the ring from his pocket and said softly with a touch of regret, "Looks like you'll have to wait with me a bit longer."

Soon after, a light drizzle began falling from the sky, quickly turning into a downpour.

Looking at the torrential rain behind her, Flora, now home, shook the raindrops off her skirt with relief and walked briskly through the door.

"Mom, Dad." She ran her fingers through her rain-dampened hair, casually greeting Yara and Owen when she saw them in the living room.

"Hello, uncles."

Seeing her uncles were also there, she became puzzled. "It's so late, why is everyone here? Did something happen?"

Seeing her ask, Robert, who had been anxious all along, darkened his face and spoke with barely suppressed accusation in his tone. "We sent so many important messages in the family group chat, and you didn't read a single one? What were you doing that was so important that you're only coming home this late?"

"I attended a charity gala. Something came up, so I didn't have time to check my phone." Robert's tone was angry. Though confused, Flora, who had already sensed something was wrong, didn't argue back. Instead, she explained while quickly opening the family group chat.

Robert wanted to say more. Though he still had some sense and knew this wasn't Flora's fault, there was still blame in his eyes when he looked at her.

There were already many messages in the family group. Flora quickly understood what had happened: Ava had also planned to attend the charity gala tonight but was kidnapped on her way to the White Manor.

Two hours had passed since the incident, and during that time, no one had been able to contact Ava.

The kidnappers were very arrogant, only dropping one line: have the ransom ready, don't call the police, or they'd never see her alive or dead.

Flora's expression became serious. "How much money do the kidnappers want?"

Robert covered his face, looking pained. "They didn't say a specific amount."

They had already prepared five million dollars in cash and were having people withdraw more.

"Flora, do you have any..."

Yara started to speak worriedly, but was interrupted halfway by a suddenly ringing phone.

Seeing the caller ID showed an unknown overseas number, Robert became instantly agitated. "This must be the kidnappers calling!"

He tried hard to control his inner panic, but his hand still trembled as he pressed the answer button.

As soon as the call connected, a low voice processed through a voice changer came through the speaker: "Robert, your daughter is in my hands now."

At these words, Robert immediately broke down and shouted, "Please don't hurt her, don't kill her! However much money you want, we'll give it to you!"

Yara and Owen quickly chimed in, "Yes! You can have as much money as you want, just don't hurt the child!"

"Everyone calm down!" Seeing everyone immediately taking such a submissive stance, Flora's left eyelid twitched. She stepped forward and snatched the phone, yelling at the kidnapper on the other end, "If you want money, don't you dare hurt Ava, or if you push me too far, I won't give you a single cent!"

"Just say how much you want, and I'll have someone get it right now. Tomorrow's the weekend, bank staff won't be working. By then, even if you want it, you'll have to wait two more days."

"Flora!"

Robert hadn't expected Flora to suddenly grab the phone and dare to provoke the kidnappers like this. Afraid the kidnappers might hurt Ava in anger, he immediately scolded harshly, "Are you crazy?!"

He knew the two had conflicts, but he hadn't expected her to be so vengeful, deliberately putting his daughter in danger at such a critical moment!

"Think you can make me angry? No way!"

Flora ignored Robert's 'advice,' pulled out her own phone and started operating it, while continuing to provoke the kidnappers: "If that's what you think, I can't help it. But I can tell you clearly, I was just recognized by the White family a few days ago. My biological mother is Ava's father's own sister. If something happens to her, I'll be the White family's only heiress, able to directly replace her original position and become the most beloved princess."

"If she dies, she dies. I can learn how she used to accompany my parents and stay by Uncle Robert's side. If you kill her, you'd actually be doing me a favor." Flora covered her mouth and giggled, her expression full of careless arrogance.

Robert's eyes turned red with rage, his face shifting from red to dark, trembling with anger. "Flora! You bitch!"

He slammed the table and stood up. Nolan beside him quickly pushed him back down, and Owen also urged, "Flora, calm down and talk to them properly!"

He knew she was deliberately provoking the kidnappers, but these words were too harsh, too heavy. If she completely enraged the kidnappers, there was no guarantee they wouldn't take out their anger on Ava and kill her.

The kidnapper clearly hadn't expected Flora to be more calculating than him. Unsettled by her instigation, he hesitated: "I want twenty million dollars. Tonight at midnight, you come alone. We'll exchange money for the person."

Flora hesitated slightly. "Okay, but the time's too tight. I can't gather that much cash right away. Can you give me two more days?"

"Tomorrow noon at the latest."

"Make it evening! That's safer for both of us."

Through Flora's negotiation, the kidnapper finally set the time for tomorrow evening, and only allowed her to come alone.

"Alright, send me the address when the time comes." Flora agreed readily, and the two happily settled on this transaction.

As soon as the call ended, Robert's face darkened as he forcefully broke free from Nolan's restraint. He stared at Flora angrily, clearly ready to get physical.

Flora focused intently on operating her phone, responding lightly to his obvious anger, "If you hit me, you won't be able to save your daughter."