However, if Raymond was willing to cooperate with her, she might consider letting him off the hook.
Unfortunately, she knew that was impossible.
So, she had no choice but to find a way to eliminate Raymond.
Melinda sat in her hotel room, her eyes glued to the screen in front of her.
Stuart had gathered a team, working with complex equipment, trying to locate Raymond and the kidnappers.
"How's it going?" Melinda couldn't help but ask.
"We've pinpointed their location," Stuart replied. "Mr. Thomas's boat is approaching us, but we haven't confirmed the exact position of the kidnappers yet. They seem to be on a ship out at sea."
Hearing this, Melinda's nerves tightened again.
On a ship at sea? That meant Raymond was in serious danger. The thought made her heart race and her legs feel weak.
"Don't worry too much," Stuart said, noticing Melinda's anxiety. "Mr. Thomas isn't someone to be easily dealt with. If he's going, he must be confident he can return safely."
Melinda nodded, but the worry on her face didn't lessen.
The camera zoomed in, and Melinda saw Celestia sipping tea on the third deck.
"It's her!" Melinda's eyes widened in shock. "Celestia! How could it be her?"
Stuart saw Celestia too, his expression changing slightly. "It seems Celestia is behind this."
"Why... why would she do this?" Melinda's voice trembled.
"Maybe it's for Rufus," Stuart suggested. "Rufus has always wanted to take back the Thomas Group. If Raymond is out of the picture, Rufus might have a chance."
Melinda's heart pounded. Celestia... working for Rufus? That meant Sam was in danger too. The thought made her feel like she couldn't breathe.
"Don't worry," Stuart reassured her. "Mr. Thomas knows Celestia is behind this. He'll have a plan. All we can do now is trust him and wait for his safe return."
Just then, Stuart's phone rang. It was Raymond.
Stuart quickly answered and put it on speaker.
"Hello, it's me," Raymond's voice came through. "I'm close to the kidnappers' ship. How are things on your end?"
"We've located the kidnappers," Stuart said. "But we haven't been able to gather any audio information yet."
"No problem," Raymond replied. "Keep monitoring their movements and report to me. Remember, don't make any moves until I've rescued Sam."
"Got it," Stuart responded.
Melinda listened to Raymond's voice, tears streaming down her face.
"Melinda?" Raymond heard her crying. "Are you scared?"
"I..." Melinda tried to speak but found herself choked with emotion.
"Don't be afraid," Raymond said gently. "I'll come back safely, and I'll bring Sam back too. Trust me."
Melinda nodded, trying to calm herself. "Okay, I trust you."
"Good," Raymond said with a smile. "When I come back safely, what reward will you give me?"
Melinda smiled through her tears. "What do you want?"
"Let me think..." Raymond pretended to ponder. "How about you marry me? I think that's a pretty good reward."
Melinda couldn't help but laugh. "Alright, if you come back safely, I'll marry you!"
"Raymond, if you come back safely, we'll get married."
Melinda's words seemed to cast a spell, making Raymond's eyes deepen.
He looked at her intently, his voice hoarse. "Do you mean it?"
"Yes," Melinda said without hesitation. "So, you have to come back safely."
Raymond smiled, a warmth and brightness in his expression that had never been there before. "Don't worry, even if I have to crawl back from hell, I'll come back to marry you."
Melinda's heart tightened, and she quickly spat a few times. "Don't talk about hell. You have to come back whole and safe."
Raymond gave her one last deep look before turning to board the speedboat.
For Melinda, the next moments were pure agony. She stayed glued to the surveillance video, not daring to blink, afraid of missing any sight of Raymond.
Occasionally, she saw him on the deck, but Sam was nowhere to be seen.
Melinda's heart felt like it was being squeezed by an invisible hand, making it hard to breathe.
"Melinda, you should eat something. You'll collapse if you go on like this," Stuart said, bringing her a bowl of pasta.
Melinda shook her head. "I can't eat." Her eyes never left the screen.
Suddenly, the screen flickered, and the two boats were only a few hundred feet apart.
Raymond's speedboat reached Celestia's ship, and Celestia came out to greet him, a smile on her face but no warmth in her eyes.
"Raymond, you finally came," Celestia said, wearing a tight dress, exuding charm. She knew her cover was blown, but at this point, there was no need to hide anymore.
Raymond looked at her coldly. "Celestia, hand over Sam."
"Sam?" Celestia laughed lightly. "If you want Sam, you'll have to get through me first." She clapped her hands, and a bodyguard brought out a small boy from the cabin.
"Sam!" Melinda cried out.
On the screen, Sam's face was marked with blood, looking disheveled. But his eyes were resolute, staring straight at Raymond.
"Mr. Thomas!" Sam shouted.
Raymond's gaze softened instantly. He looked at Celestia. "What is this?"
"Nothing much," Celestia said with a smile. "Just showing you what happens to those you want to protect when they're in my hands."
She reached out and gently touched Sam's cheek. Sam winced in pain but didn't cry out.
Raymond's eyes turned icy. "Celestia, I warn you, if you harm him, you'll pay the price."
"Price?" Celestia laughed as if she had heard something amusing. "Raymond, do you think you still have the right to talk about price with me?"
She waved her hand, and the bodyguard stepped forward, pressing a gun to Sam's head.
"Raymond, if you want to save him, surrender yourself," Celestia said with a hint of triumph in her voice.
Raymond took a deep breath and slowly raised his hands. "Fine, I'll surrender. But you have to let him go first."
"Let him go?" Celestia laughed again. "Raymond, do you think I'm a child? I'll let him go, and then your people will capture me?"
She shook her head. "No, I won't do that. If you want to save him, you have to satisfy me first."
Raymond's eyes turned cold. "Celestia, this is your last chance. Let him go."
But Celestia acted as if she hadn't heard him, continuing, "I didn't want it to come to this. But you wouldn't listen to me and insisted on being with Melinda. Since you chose her, you have to face the consequences."
She clapped her hands again. "Take Raymond and tie him up."
Raymond's heart pounded as the bodyguards moved toward him. He glanced at Sam, who was trying to stay brave despite the fear in his eyes. "Sam, stay strong. I'll get us out of this."
Sam nodded, his small face determined. "I believe in you, Mr. Thomas."
As the bodyguards grabbed Raymond, he didn't resist. He knew he had to bide his time and wait for the right moment to strike. "Celestia, you're making a big mistake," he said, his voice steady.
Celestia smirked. "We'll see about that, Raymond. We'll see."