Bella was secretly annoyed but had to remain calm. She wasn't confident she could harm the two little ones under Lance's watchful eyes without getting caught. So, she temporarily put the matter aside.
Lance had been dropping off the two little ones at school for several days without incident. That day, after watching them walk into the school, he turned to Xavier and asked, "Has Bella taken any action?"
"No, but her people watching from the shadows haven't left. They seem to be cautious of you and are waiting for an opportunity," Xavier speculated.
Lance's eyes turned icy. "Bella just won't give up!"
Xavier didn't respond, knowing Lance didn't need his input. After a few seconds, Lance's cold voice filled the car again. "How are the arrangements I asked you to make?"
"Everything is ready; we can act anytime," Xavier replied respectfully.
Lance nodded in satisfaction. "Good, let's do it tonight."
Xavier acknowledged the order with a nod.
Later that evening, Bella received an invitation to a business party at the Z Club. Initially uninterested, she changed her mind upon hearing that Lance would be there and promptly confirmed her attendance.
At seven that night, Bella arrived at the club in a tight, sexy dress. She arrogantly handed her invitation to the staff and waited to be led to the event. The staff member's eyes flickered upon seeing her invitation.
"Miss Cody, please follow me," he said, putting away the invitation and gesturing for her to follow.
Bella clutched her handbag and followed him. As they turned a corner, the situation changed abruptly. The previously respectful staff member suddenly grabbed her.
Bella was stunned. When she realized what was happening, her beautifully made-up face showed shock and anger. "What are you doing?" she demanded, struggling against him.
Despite her efforts, she couldn't match his strength and didn't want to risk exposing herself in her revealing dress. The staff member tightened his grip on her wrist and spoke coldly, "Miss Cody, don't waste your energy struggling. Come with me; someone wants to see you."
After he finished speaking, he grabbed Bella and headed towards the nearby elevator.
Although Bella was extremely flustered inside, she managed to pick out the key point from what the staff had just said. "Who wants to see me?"
He dragged Bella towards a nearby elevator despite her frantic questions about who wanted to see her. The man's silence only heightened her fear. She tried to negotiate her release or at least find out who had sent for her, but he remained unresponsive.
The elevator ascended to the twenty-third floor before stopping. The man pulled Bella out into what looked like a hotel corridor. Her pupils contracted as she realized this meeting in a hotel room couldn't mean anything good.
As they were about to exit the elevator, Bella mustered all her strength and lunged at him. But he seemed prepared for this and dodged swiftly before hitting her neck with his hand. Pain shot through Bella's neck, and she blacked out.
When she regained consciousness, everything was dark. Her hands and feet were bound, and the air reeked of alcohol. By the moonlight filtering through the window, she could vaguely see someone standing nearby.
"Who's there?" Bella demanded warily.
A few lewd voices answered from the darkness, "Hey hey, looks like our beauty is awake. Time to have some fun?"
Bella's face paled with fear as she realized what was about to happen. "You dare touch me? I'm the eldest daughter of Cody Group! If you harm me, my family will never let you go!" she shouted in an attempt to intimidate them.
Just then, the room lights flicked on brightly. Applause echoed as Xavier stepped forward with a mocking smile. "As expected of Miss Cody from Cody Group; you're truly skilled at threatening others."