Chapter 237: Baddie's action

“Yes, Zenith. We believed he was responsible.

“Oh my goodness, that Psycho son of a snake. Baddie exclaimed.

"Yeah, that's why I need your help. If I called him, he might not pick, but we believed if you called him, he would."

"Yeah, it's possible, but what do I tell him?"

"Pretend you're running a special promotion."

Baddie tilted his head.

"What kind of promotion?"

Alex replied calmly, "Tell him you're offering free services to selected clients this week."

Baddie couldn't help smiling. "Now that's a promotion."

A few people chuckled softly.

Alex continued. "Ask him to choose a day, a time... keep him talking naturally."

Thomas added, "The longer he stays on the line, the better our chances of tracing his location."

Realization crossed Baddie's face.

"Oh, so I'm bait."

Dan smiled apologetically. "Basically."

Baddie sighed dramatically. "I always knew my charm would save lives one day."

That earned another small laugh from the room.

He picked his phone again.

"Well..."He looked at Alex. "That's actually not a bad plan." He scrolled to the dial pad.

"I just hope his phone isn't switched off."

Alex's smile disappeared as quickly as it had come.

"Yeah...I pray so too.” His voice was heavy with worry.

For a brief moment, nobody moved.

Then Baddie paused before pressing the call button. He looked back at Alex. "There is one thing I don't understand."

Alex met his gaze.

"Who was kidnapped?"

The room fell silent.

Alex lowered his eyes. His fingers tightened around the edge of the table. When he finally answered, his voice was barely above a whisper.

"The man I love."

The words hung heavily in the room, and Baddie's expression softened immediately. He remembered the rumors.

"The same one…the one who lost his memory?"

Alex nodded. "He finally remembered me." A sad smile flickered across his lips. "We had just found our way back to each other."

His voice broke. "And before I could even enjoy having him back..."

He swallowed hard.

"They took him."

Baddie looked at Alex for several long seconds. The teasing vanished completely from his face. He placed a reassuring hand on Alex's hands.

"I'm going to help you in any way I can to get him back."

His tone was steady. "I promise."

Alex looked up. "Thank you."

Baddie gave him a gentle smile before taking a deep breath.

"Alright then..."

He unlocked his phone and hovered his thumb over the number. "Let's see if your suspect is in the mood for a little free entertainment."

Baddie looked around the room, his expression calm despite the tension pressing down on everyone.

He smiled. "If you guys are ready..."He picked up his phone.

"...then let's dig into this."

Dan nodded. "We're ready, Baddie."

The room instantly fell silent. Even the tapping of keyboards stopped.

Baddie inhaled slowly before dialing Zenith's number.

The call connected and started ringing.

Every heartbeat in the room seemed to match the rhythm of the ringtone.

Alex unconsciously gripped the edge of the table.

The line continued to ring.

Thomas silently motioned for the technicians to prepare the tracing software.

Unfortunately the call buzz finished without any answer. Alex stared at the speaker as if willing Zenith to pick up.

Call ended.

Alex slammed his fist onto the table. "Goddamn son of a bitch!"

No one spoke.

Baddie remained surprisingly relaxed. He leaned back in his chair.

"No, sweetheart." He smiled faintly.

"He's a psycho son of a snake."

That earned a few exhausted smiles.

"But don't worry, he won't resist forever."

Alex looked at him impatiently.

"Call him again."

Baddie shook his head immediately. "No." His tone became serious.

‘"Trust me. As far as he's concerned, every unexpected call is suspicious."

He placed his phone on the table.

"If I keep calling, he'll smell a trap."

Alex frowned. "So what do we do?"

"We stop chasing." Baddie smiled knowingly. "Psycho people hate being ignored and they always lose control."

He unlocked his phone.

"I'll text him."

Without waiting for anyone's approval, his fingers flew across the screen.

Everyone watched in silence.

A few seconds later, he read it aloud.

Hi, hottie. Call me to book your spot before it's gone. I'm offering free promotional services all week.

Only a few slots left. Don't bother calling if you're not interested.

He pressed Send, and then calmly placed the phone face-up on the table.

"Message sent."

Alex frowned.

"What? You send that? Let me see that again."

Baddie handed him the phone, and Alex read the message again.

Halfway through, he groaned.

"Oh, for crying out loud." He looked up. "Baddie..." His voice rose.

"That last line wasn't encouraging. You shouldn't have written that."

Baddie simply smiled, and folded his arms. "Sweet heart, that's exactly why it'll work."

Alex looked unconvinced. "I don't understand."

"If I sounded desperate..." Baddie explained patiently, "...he'd immediately wonder why. This message doesn't connect me to you or anything else except an interested client. It doesn't sound like bait. It sounds like a business promotion."

Thomas nodded thoughtfully.

"He's right, boss. If Zenith is cautious, desperation would've scared him away."

Alex reluctantly handed the phone back. "I hope you're right."

"I know I am."

The room settled into an uncomfortable silence. Minutes passed. Nothing. Baddie stretched.

"I'm starving."

Everyone looked at him. He smiled innocently. "May I eat here?"

"If I go downstairs and he calls..."

He shrugged. “...we lose our chance."

Sally immediately stood. "Of course. What would you like, dear?"

Baddie grinned.

"Chips and spicy salmon."

"You have excellent taste," Sally laughed.

Within minutes, the food arrived.

The smell filled the room. Ironically, nobody else had an appetite.

Only Baddie happily picked up a fry.  "Mm...This is amazing."

Just as he reached for another bite, his phone buzzed.

Every single person froze. Alex shot to his feet. Thomas held his breath. Dan leaned over the table.

Baddie looked at the screen. Then sighed.

"Oh." He said. "Sorry, guys. Just a client."

The room collectively groaned.

Baddie suddenly paused as a thought crossed his mind. He quickly put the call on speaker.

"Hello, handsome."

His voice became warm and playful. "I was actually about to call you."

"Oh?" the man replied. "Why?"

"I've decided to spoil my favorite clients."

Baddie winked at everyone.

"I'm offering complimentary services all week."

"Seriously?" The man sounded delighted. "When can I book?"

“Let me check my schedule.”

Baddie quickly checked an imaginary schedule.

"For you sweet Ben, Thursday evening? 9 to 11 pm."

"Perfect!"

"Day and time ticked. It's a date."

"I'll see you then."

The call ended.

The room stared at him. Jason blinked. "What was that?"

Baddie shrugged. "What?"

Everyone looked completely confused.

Baddie laughed. "Come on."

"We're pretending this is normal, aren't we?" He pointed at the phone.

"What if Zenith asked one of his friends to test me first?"

Silence. Then Thomas slowly nodded. "Actually, that makes sense."

Dan smiled. "Good thinking."

Baddie popped another fry into his mouth.

"Told you, I will do what I can to help.”

That instant his phone vibrated again. The caller ID displayed a name.

Zenith Calling...

Every sound inside the conference room died instantly.

Alex's breathing stopped. Thomas silently pointed toward the tracing team. The technicians immediately sprang into action.

Baddie slowly wiped his fingers with a napkin. His confident smile disappeared. He looked at Alex.

Alex gave a single nod.

"Answer it."

Baddie took one deep breath, then picked up a chips, put it in his mouth chewing like a normal eating guy would.

Then he swiped the answer button.