Chapter 254

Chapter 254

Half an hour later, the car pulled up outside an abandoned factory on the city's outskirts.

The rusted iron gate hung half-open, surrounded by overgrown weeds. The whole place looked utterly desolate.

Elena took a deep breath, pushed the car door open, and walked in.

Inside the factory, the light was dim. Discarded machinery and debris cluttered the space.

Indigo sat on an old sofa, swirling a glass of red wine in his hand.

"Indigo, where's my daughter?"

Elena stopped in front of him.

Her eyes swept the area quickly. No sign of Nora. Her heart jumped into her throat.

Indigo looked up at her and smiled, his tone unhurried:

"Ms. Reed, no need to rush. You came all this way—have a seat first."

"The kid's fine. I even got a doctor to look after her. She's not suffering."

"A doctor?" Elena's chest tightened, but she forced herself to stay calm, her voice cold.

"Nora's not well. She's already sick. If anything happens to her, Indigo, I mean what I say—I won't let you get away with this."

"Don't be so tense."

Indigo set down his wine glass and spread his hands.

"I already told you, I'm doing you a favor watching the kid."

"That crazy woman Chloe dumped her here and took off. I couldn't just abandon her, could I? After all, she's Kian's daughter. Technically, she's my niece."

He spoke as if he were doing them all a kindness, but the calculation in his eyes was impossible to hide.

Elena didn't have the patience for this nonsense. She cut straight to the point:

"You called me here. What do you want? Say it straight. Don't waste my time."

Indigo smiled and clapped his hands:

"Refreshing. I like talking to smart people."

He leaned forward, staring at her face, his tone laced with persuasion:

"Elena, you hid for five years, and then you come back now, at this exact moment. I don't need to spell it out, do I? Everyone knows. You're here for revenge, aren't you?"

Elena's heart stirred, but her face remained blank. She didn't confirm or deny it. She just looked at him.

Seeing her silence, Indigo grew more confident. He continued:

"I know you hate Kian."

"Everyone in Harmony City saw how he treated you back then. You suffered so much for him, nearly died, and what did he do? Turned around and showed up everywhere with Chloe. Built his empire. Why should he get away with it?"

"Let me be honest with you—the Lancaster Group is preparing to go public right now. Kian signed a valuation adjustment agreement. He's one step away from closing the deal."

Indigo's lips curled into a dark smile. "If some scandal broke out now, what do you think would happen to the stock price? A nosedive, right? All those years of work—gone."

Elena's heart sank.

Olivia had mentioned this.

Over the past five years, Kian had poured everything into the company. He'd not only absorbed the Lancaster Group but was also pushing for an IPO. He'd even signed a valuation adjustment agreement.

Indigo had picked the perfect moment to strike a fatal blow.

"Elena, we have the same goal. Why not join forces?"

Indigo dangled the bait.

"All you have to do is come forward and testify against him. Expose everything from back then. Bring Kian down. When it's over, I'll give you a third of his assets. How's that sound?"

He thought the offer was irresistible.

A woman who'd been hurt so deeply, carrying a sick child—facing such a huge payoff, how could she not be tempted?

Indigo leaned back on the sofa, picked up his wine, and took a leisurely sip, waiting for Elena's answer.

Elena had no intention of teaming up with Indigo.

She pressed her lips together, her mind racing.

Forcing her way out wouldn't work. Nora was still in their hands. If she backed them into a corner, Nora would be the one to pay.

Better to pretend to agree, keep Indigo calm, and wait until she saw Nora. Once she confirmed Nora was safe, she'd find a way out.

Decision made, she looked up at Indigo, her tone softening slightly:

"Working together isn't out of the question. But I need to see my daughter first. I need to know she's okay."

Indigo smiled, as if he'd expected her to agree all along. He swirled his wine glass lazily:

"Ms. Reed, you really are a smart woman. But let's be clear—while we're working together, the kid stays with me."

"Don't worry, I've got a doctor and nurse looking after her. She's getting the best care. Not a hair on her head will be harmed. Once it's done and Kian's finished, I'll hand her back to you safe and sound."

The moment he said that, rage flared inside Elena.

So this was his game?

He wanted to use Nora as a hostage to control her forever?

"Not happening."

Elena's expression turned ice-cold, her voice hard as steel.

"Indigo, don't push your luck. If you want to work together, give me my daughter back. Using a child as leverage—what kind of man does that?"

She stepped forward, her eyes blazing.

Indigo flinched theatrically, clutching his chest and shrinking back, his tone mocking:

"Whoa, Ms. Reed, don't be so fierce. I'm a timid guy. Can't handle being scared."

"I'm just thinking about our partnership, you know? What if you change your mind halfway through? Who do I cry to then?"

He shrugged, playing the shameless card. "The kid stays with me. That way, we both feel secure, right?"

Elena clenched her fists so hard her nails dug into her palms. The pain sharpened her focus.

Don't lose it.

She was on his turf. A fight would cost her. And Nora was sick—she couldn't take the strain.

She took a deep breath and forced the fury down:

"I'll say it one more time. I need to see Nora first. Once I know she's okay, we'll talk about working together."

Indigo stared at her for a few seconds. Seeing her determination, he realized pushing too hard would backfire.

Besides, she was already here. The factory was surrounded by his people. What could she possibly pull?

He smiled and stood up:

"Fine. Since you're so desperate to see your daughter, come with me. Let's let you see the kid first. Then we can talk business."

Elena followed him deeper into the factory, toward a partitioned room. Her heartbeat quickened. Her palms were slick with sweat.

He pushed open the door, and there she was—little Nora lying on a makeshift bed.

At the sound of footsteps, Nora turned her head. The moment she saw Elena, her eyes lit up. Her little mouth trembled, and tears spilled down her cheeks. She stretched out her small hand and called out softly:

"Mommy..."

That one word shattered Elena's heart.

She rushed over and scooped Nora into her arms, her fingers trembling.

The little body was burning hot—clearly running a fever. Nora whimpered pitifully in her arms, her small arms locked tightly around Elena's neck, terrified she'd disappear again.

"Mommy's here, Nora. Don't be scared. Mommy's here."

Elena patted Nora's back, her voice hoarse, her eyes instantly welling up.

She pressed a kiss to Nora's burning forehead, her heart aching and furious all at once.

Holding the soft, warm little body in her arms, Elena's mind raced through a thousand desperate plans.

Grab Nora and run?