Chapter 607: Transmitting Information
Chapter 607: Transmitting Information
Jonathan felt a surge of panic and anger when he heard Melinda's words, but he quickly realized something was off in her tone.
Outsiders might not catch it, but having lived with Melinda for so long, he knew her speech patterns well.
She always emphasized important words to stress their significance.
When she said "okay" with a questioning tone, it was her way of telling him not to agree.
Despite the urgency of the situation, Jonathan was genuinely willing to make the exchange.
Melinda, fearing he hadn't understood, reiterated, "Please, don't do it!"
Jonathan was now certain—Melinda didn't want him to go through with the exchange.
Though anxious and worried, he decided to follow her lead.
"No way!"
Melinda breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing his refusal, feigning confusion, "Why not? Everything you have now is because of us. You promised to protect me. I'm in danger now, shouldn't you help me?"
"This guy is terrifying. If I fall into his hands, I'm dead," Jonathan's voice trembled with genuine fear, the mere thought of Hugo's face making him nauseous.
Hugo's face turned green with rage. He had always dismissed those who tried to curry favor with him, considering his interest in Jonathan a stroke of luck for the latter.
"Hugo promised he wouldn't hurt you. For my sake, please come over."
Jonathan knew Melinda too well. She would never harm others for her own safety, so her current words were insincere.
He felt heartbroken. Hugo was a lunatic, and even if Melinda fell into his hands, she wouldn't have a good time.
Her hoarse voice likely had something to do with Hugo, but since Melinda didn't want him to go, he had to think of another way.
"No way, I don't trust him. Get Elmwood to save you. I can't help you. Don't call me again."
Jonathan quickly hung up, fearing he might relent if he listened any longer.
Melinda reluctantly put down her phone, frowning, "You heard him. He won't..."
A loud slap landed on Melinda's face, leaving five distinct marks, showing just how hard the person had hit her.
Blood seeped from the corner of her mouth as she closed her eyes, taking deep breaths to stay calm.
Now that she was in his hands, she had to endure, even for the sake of the child in her belly.
"Useless! Aren't you supposed to be close siblings? He doesn't even care about your life. You should've tricked him into coming instead of wasting time talking."
Melinda spat out the blood, gritting her teeth, "You're right. I should've tricked him from the start. I was too careless."
Hugo fumed, "Reflect on this properly. I need to find a way to get him here."
With that, he stormed out, leaving Melinda alone.
Seeing the locked iron door, with only a sliver of light indicating it was daytime, she felt a wave of despair.
She wondered if Jonathan understood her message and could relay the information to Elmwood.
At that moment, Elmwood was checking factories one by one, having set his phone to vibrate to avoid being overheard.
As Elmwood exited a glass factory, his phone buzzed. He quickly pulled it out, surprised to see Jonathan's number. After a brief hesitation, he answered.
"I'm busy. What's up?"
"Mr. Sanctuary, Mel just called me."
Elmwood was stunned. "What? Mel called you?" It seemed unbelievable, but he knew Jonathan wouldn't joke at a time like this. "Tell me everything."
Jonathan urgently replied, "I think Mel wants me to relay a message to you. Listen carefully."
Jonathan recounted their conversation in detail, leaving Elmwood momentarily speechless.
"She's in an airtight warehouse with a strong smell. It's very quiet, with nothing around—no trees."
Elmwood recalled seeing trees around most of the factories he had visited. A place with nothing around must be unique.
"Did she say anything else?"
"No, but her voice was hoarse. I think things aren't good. I've seen Hugo deal with others; he shows no mercy. I'm worried he'll hurt Mel. Maybe I should go for the exchange and get Mel back first."
Jonathan was genuinely concerned for Melinda's safety and willing to make the exchange himself.
Elmwood stopped him, "You know Mel called you on purpose. She wouldn't want you to make the exchange. Besides, Hugo is a scoundrel. Even if you go, he won't release Mel. He just wants to mess with you."
Jonathan paced anxiously, "If I go, at least I can look out for Mel. I can't leave her like this. Maybe you can use me as bait to lure them out."
Elmwood considered the idea but knew it was risky, potentially costing another life.
"Forget it. The information you provided is useful. I'll have Stanley analyze it. He might figure out the location. Meanwhile, don't act rashly. Wait for our response."
He feared Jonathan might act on his own and disrupt their plan.
Jonathan knew the best thing he could do now was not to complicate matters.
"Got it. Let me know as soon as you find Mel."
"Will do!"
Elmwood hung up and immediately messaged Stanley, detailing the recent events and asking him to analyze Melinda's location based on the information.
Stanley quickly had Beckett pull up the industrial city's map, marking factories with strong smells and those without trees.
The industrial city had been abandoned for five or six years, and even smelly factories should have aired out by now.
A place with a persistent smell and no trees indicated it couldn't support plant life.
After years of neglect, most places were overgrown with weeds, but this one had nothing—likely a chemical plant.
Stanley checked the map and found ten chemical plants near the water source. Satellite images confirmed the absence of trees, matching Melinda's description.
They hadn't considered this location, not expecting Hugo to choose a place with such a strong smell.
Stanley immediately sent this crucial information to Elmwood, directing him to head that way.
Elmwood's heart skipped a beat upon reading the message. Such places contained toxic substances, and even after years, the residual gases prevented any plant growth.
This explained why Melinda saw nothing outside the warehouse.