Chapter 203: Medical Clues

Chapter 203: Medical Clues

In the basement, Jasper slumped against the chair, his wrists burning from the tight ropes.

Jasper was smart—he'd figured out these men had kidnapped him for something involving Olivia. He feared becoming leverage to threaten her, but tied up here, he was powerless, completely at their mercy.

After what felt like hours, the burly man by the door pocketed his phone and stood up, stretching.

Jasper's attention sharpened as he caught fragments of conversation between the two guards.

"Boss said to keep a close eye on this kid. Nothing can happen to him."

"Why? What's the point of grabbing him?"

"Boss wants to use him as leverage against Matthew and Olivia. Word is Matthew's crazy about Olivia, and she's really protective of this little brother."

"Then we'd better keep him breathing, or the boss's whole plan goes up in smoke."

Hearing this, Jasper's heart clenched, but he quickly steadied himself. He knew he had to survive and find a way to escape.

He looked down at the necklace around his neck—Olivia's birthday gift to him. The pendant contained a photo of him and Olivia together. Suddenly, an idea formed.

Jasper took a deep breath, then began hyperventilating, his body trembling as he let his head loll to one side, looking utterly distressed.

"I... I can't breathe..."

He gasped the words weakly, his voice barely audible.

The two guards rushed over immediately.

"What's wrong with the kid?"

"Is he having some kind of attack? I heard he's got some terminal illness."

"Untie him quick, don't let him suffocate."

One guard loosened the ropes around Jasper's body. As soon as his hands were free, Jasper collapsed against the man, quickly slipping his necklace into the guard's pocket.

Jasper lifted his head, his face pale and covered in cold sweat. "My medication... I need my medication."

The two guards exchanged uncertain glances, remembering their boss's orders not to let anything happen to Jasper.

"You stay with him. I'll go ask what kind of medicine this kid needs."

The guard who'd untied him headed toward the door.

Jasper lay on the floor, relief flooding through him. The necklace contained a GPS tracker linked to his computer. If Olivia had his laptop, she'd definitely find the clue.

At the hospital, Olivia slowly opened her eyes to see the white ceiling above her. She flexed her fingers and noticed Matthew sitting beside her bed, holding her hand.

"You're awake? How do you feel?" Matthew's voice was gentle, filled with concern.

Olivia turned her head and saw Jasper's laptop on the bedside table. She reached for it, clutching it to her chest as tears began streaming down her face.

"Still no sign of Jasper? What if something terrible happened to him?"

Matthew wiped the tears from her cheeks, his voice firm with determination. "Nothing's going to happen to him. We will find him. Don't worry."

Just then, the hospital room door opened and Red Fox entered, carrying a manila folder.

Seeing Red Fox, hope flickered in Olivia's eyes.

"Any news? Did you find Jasper? Please tell me you found him."

If Matthew hadn't restrained her, she would have leaped from the bed to see if Jasper was following behind Red Fox.

"Mr. Matthew Howard, Mrs. Olivia Howard."

Red Fox's expression was grim, and seeing her face, Olivia's heart sank. This obviously wasn't good news.

Matthew felt Olivia's hand trembling in his. He looked urgently at Red Fox. "Do we have any leads?"

Red Fox shook her head, her expression heavy. "We found the suspicious vehicle that took Jasper, but it's been torched with gasoline."

Olivia swayed, nearly fainting again.

Red Fox quickly added, "Mrs. Olivia Howard, please don't panic. There was nobody in the car. They probably just wanted to cover their tracks. Mr. Jasper Smith should still be safe."

At these words, Olivia's tears flowed even harder. Matthew rubbed her back soothingly.

"Don't panic. We'll figure out another approach."

After Red Fox left, Matthew sat beside the bed, his brow deeply furrowed. He recalled his earlier call with Stanley. Despite being despicable and arrogant, Stanley didn't seem like the type to lie about something like this. If he said he didn't take Jasper, it was probably true. So who did kidnap him?

Just then, Matthew's phone rang. It was John calling.

"Mr. Howard, there's a situation I need to report." John's voice sounded urgent.

"What's the situation?"

"Our people just discovered that thirty minutes ago, someone purchased medication for variant ALS through Evergreen Hospital's online pharmacy system."

Matthew's pulse quickened. Jasper had mild variant ALS and needed medication to manage it. Could the kidnappers have bought the drugs?

"Track down that buyer's identity immediately!"

"Yes, sir. I'll arrange it right away."

After hanging up, Matthew looked at Olivia with a glimmer of hope in his voice.

"We have a lead. Someone purchased a variant ALS medication. We've already sent people to investigate."

Olivia lifted her head, her eyes full of expectation. "Please, darling, you have to help me find Jasper. I can't lose another family member."

"I will. I promise we'll find him." Matthew nodded, though privately he remained worried. If Stanley wasn't behind Jasper's kidnapping, the situation might be far more dangerous.

Meanwhile, Joan sat in her office, holding a document but unable to focus on a single word.

Although Jasper's kidnapping hadn't become public knowledge, as Matthew's assistant, Joan had access to more information than most. She also knew Stanley hadn't taken Jasper, yet he'd still vanished.

She'd initially thought Stanley had grabbed Jasper but was lying about it, but now she shared Matthew's suspicion that someone else was responsible. But who? And why target Jasper?

Joan frowned, suddenly thinking of Ryan. Ryan had always wanted to destroy Matthew—could this be his doing?

She pulled out her phone, found Ryan's number, hesitated for a moment, then dialed.

The phone rang several times before being answered.

"Joan? What made you think of calling me?" Ryan's voice sounded leisurely, with a hint of amusement.

"Ryan, do you have Jasper?" Joan's tone was direct, cutting straight to the point.

Silence stretched for several seconds on the other end, then Ryan's laughter came through.

"I didn't expect you to be so clever, figuring it out so quickly. That's right. Jasper's with me."