Chapter 282 Captive Truths

Chapter 282 Captive Truths

Hayden hung up the phone, feeling utterly perplexed.

Why would Anna suddenly ask him to monitor Jonathan's movements? What was going on?

Wasn't Jonathan her father?

Despite his questions, Hayden couldn't refuse Anna's request. Setting aside her formidable skills, the fact that her advice had single-handedly revived the Anderson Group from the brink of collapse warranted his unwavering loyalty.

After some thought, Hayden decided to approach Megan for information.

"Are your parents usually busy at home? I'd like to invite them to dinner sometime," he said casually.

Megan looked startled. Hayden had always made it clear he disliked Jonathan and Penelope. What had changed?

Assuming he was trying to please her, Megan brightened and answered without hesitation, "They're quite busy. I saw them drive off again this morning."

Hayden pressed further, "Do they go out every day?"

Megan nodded. "Not every day, but they usually leave in the morning and return before noon."

Having gotten what he needed, Hayden hurried through lunch with Megan before dropping her home. He then was in his car near the Rice estate, waiting patiently for Jonathan and Penelope to return.

Sure enough, their car pulled up just before noon. After confirming their arrival, Hayden drove away.

Early the next morning, he returned to his surveillance post. This time, he caught Jonathan and Penelope leaving. Interestingly, they were driving themselves—no chauffeur.

This struck Hayden as odd. He discreetly followed their vehicle.

Meanwhile, completely unaware of being tailed, Jonathan and Penelope were arguing heatedly in their car.

"It's been days, and we still haven't found her. And we can't release Louie—he's become our problem now," Jonathan snapped.

"How is this suddenly my fault?" Penelope fired back. "If your man Wesley hadn't been so incompetent, would we be in this mess?"

Her words only fueled Jonathan's anger. If they hadn't been approaching the abandoned factory building, he might have ordered her out of the car right there.

As the car came to a stop, Jonathan coldly commanded, "Get out."

Penelope wrapped herself in a heavy cloak and exited the vehicle, fuming.

From a distance, Hayden raised his binoculars, watching the scene with growing suspicion.

What was Penelope up to?

The furtive behavior of the pair suggested nothing good.

Thinking quickly, Hayden drove away before they could spot him. He waited until well past noon, when he saw Jonathan's car leaving, before cautiously returning to the site.

As he entered the abandoned factory building, a putrid stench hit him like a wall, nearly making him retch. Following the source of the smell, he came upon a shocking sight.

A man was tied to a pillar, his clothes in tatters, sitting in his own filth. Long, matted hair obscured his face, making identification impossible.

Hayden crouched down and pushed the hair aside. When he saw the man's face, he was stunned.

He immediately pulled out his phone and called Anna. "Ms. Rice, something terrible has happened. You need to come right away!"

When Louie regained consciousness, he found himself in a hospital bed.

His fingers had barely twitched when he heard an exclamation. "Louie's awake!"

Then came Lucy's booming voice. "You're awake! Louie, you're really awake!"

"Lucy, don't shake him. He just woke up—give him a moment," came Anna's considerate voice.

Louie sighed gratefully. Anna was always so thoughtful.

He saw Anna's concerned expression. Louie couldn't help but smile. Having Anna worry about him made everything worth it.

"Louie, how did you end up in such a state?" Lucy asked, her voice breaking. "If Hayden hadn't found you, you would have died!"

Louie chuckled weakly. "They weren't going to let me die. They even fed me regularly."

Hearing this, Anna frowned, her expression turning serious. "Do you know who kidnapped you?"

Louie shook his head. How could he know? He had only wanted to help Anna, and somehow ended up in this nightmarish situation.

Seeing his genuine confusion, Anna sighed. "Why did you post that missing person notice? Do you know Marigold?"

At the mention of Marigold, Louie's eyes widened dramatically. All his suffering had begun because of that name. Who the hell was this Marigold?

He nodded vigorously, looking directly at Anna. "I knew Lucy was helping you find this Marigold person, so I thought I'd help by posting the notice. Instead of finding her, I ended up getting imprisoned."

Louie couldn't hide his resentment. This had truly been an undeserved calamity!

Anna exchanged glances with the others, finally understanding the sequence of events.

"Rest well," Anna reassured him. "I'll take care of everything else."

"Who kidnapped me?" Louie persisted.

No one answered his question. As he continued to press, Lucy quickly stuffed a banana into his mouth.

"They said you collapsed from hunger, Louie. Eat this banana. You need to eat more," she insisted.

"But Lucy, who tried to harm me? Have they been caught?" Louie wouldn't let it go.

Lucy mumbled vaguely, "Don't worry about it. Just rest. Anna will handle the arrests."

Louie nodded. "I suppose you're right. I do need to recover. Those bastards nearly starved me to death!"

"You have no idea. They kept me tied up, giving me only water and a bit of bread each day. I almost didn't make it back," he continued, tears streaming down his face.

Lucy shifted uncomfortably, feeling both awkward and sympathetic. She occasionally glanced at Anna, thinking how unfortunate it was to have such a father and stepmother. Anna must be devastated.

But Lucy knew she couldn't let Louie keep talking like this.

Anna could no longer bear to stay. She stood up and walked out of the room.

Taking out her phone, she called the police station. "I need to see Jonathan and Penelope."

After receiving confirmation, Anna glanced back at the hospital room where Louie was crying without restraint. With a look of resolve, she turned and walked away.

Soon after, Anna arrived at the prison and requested to see Penelope.

She didn't have to wait long before Penelope was brought in.

As they sat facing each other, Anna studied her stepmother carefully.

Penelope was pale, her hair a mess, sparkle gone from her eyes.

In Anna's memory, Penelope had always been beautiful and elegant, but the woman before her was unrecognizable.

Yet Anna knew that a small setback wouldn't break Penelope. To truly bring her down, a far greater threat would be needed.