"Is there really news about Deanna? Is she okay? Where is she now? Can I go with you?" Old Ashley asked a flurry of questions.
Especially the last one, she looked at Lance with great expectation. She wanted to find her granddaughter herself; only by seeing Deanna safe with her own eyes could she be completely at ease. Otherwise, waiting at home alone for news would be unbearable.
Lance understood her thoughts but still refused. "The situation over there is complicated and even dangerous. I know you want to see Deanna safe, but I promise, as soon as we find her, I'll report back immediately and let her talk to you."
Old Ashley was disappointed but did not insist. She wanted to save her granddaughter, not cause trouble. Samantha, however, noticed something in Lance's expression and became thoughtful. She felt her son was hiding something but decided to wait until he returned to ask.
Half an hour later, Lance and Gunner boarded a helicopter heading to Abla Chelsea Quays. Shortly after their departure, Eula received the news and instructed Avery, "Arrange a plane; we're going too."
Avery nodded and went to make arrangements. Just before boarding, Eula stopped him. "You stay here. Bella has seen you; if you go, you'll be exposed. I'll take Prosser."
"Please be careful," Avery urged with concern.
Eula nodded and boarded the plane. After a few hours of flying, they arrived at Chelsea Quays before Lance.
As soon as they landed, Eula led her men onto the cruise ship where Bella was staying. Bella was caught off guard and quickly subdued, then brought before Eula. Seeing the room full of foreigners, Bella panicked.
"Who are you? What do you want? I'm a Chiaz citizen!" She tried to use her nationality to protect herself, knowing that Chiaz's policies were very protective of its citizens abroad.
Eula ignored Bella's threats, walked up to her with authority, grabbed her chin, and said coldly, "You kidnapped Deanna and made me take the blame, causing me billions in losses and Lance's disdain. Where is Deanna?"
Eula tightened her grip, causing Bella to cry out in pain and shock. This person knew Lance and was looking for Deanna?
Seeing Bella's hesitation, Eula increased the pressure. "Why aren't you talking? Tell me where Deanna is!"
The feeling of suffocation frightened Bella. Weighing her options between denial and truth, she chose the latter. This woman must have found something; if she didn't speak, she would be tortured.
"I'll tell you! Deanna escaped; I don't know where she is now."
"Escaped?" Eula asked skeptically.
Bella nodded, hiding some details. "That day, I was about to take Deanna off the ship when she broke free and jumped into the sea. If you want to find her, search nearby. She has no money and can't have gone far. I've told you everything; can you let me go now?"
She looked at Eula pleadingly, already planning her escape. Her instincts told her this woman wouldn't let her go easily.
Indeed, Eula had no intention of releasing Bella. She let go of Bella and sneered, "Let you go? Dream on. Lock her up in a room. If she escapes, you won't live either. The rest of you split into four groups and start searching for Deanna immediately."
"Yes!" Her subordinates obeyed and left quickly.
Soon, only Eula and her confidant Prosser remained on the deck. She took out her phone to contact Lance; she needed to keep up appearances and couldn't wait for Lance to find her.
Lance answered the call with a frown but listened as Eula spoke first. "I've found out who took Deanna. The person is under control now, but Deanna has escaped. I've sent people to look for her. Do you want to come over or wait until we find her and bring her to you?"
"No need; I'm already here," Lance replied coldly.
His response was a trap; he deliberately didn't ask for Eula's location to see how she would react.