Chapter 0732
“Well done, Lucia. You’ve been very helpful. Is there anything else I should know about your husband?”
For a moment, Lucia hesitated, fear flickering in her eyes. She didn’t know how to respond without inviting more pain.
“This isn’t part of the interrogation,” Marcus said, his tone almost casual. “You can answer freely.”
“Go to hell, Marcus Bartz!” she spat, her voice filled with venom. “My father–in–law should have killed you too!”
Marcus grabbed her by the hair, his voice calm but laced with menace. “If I had more time, I’d love to play with you some more. But for now, I’ll leave you with this promise–today, you’ll be joining your husband and father–in -law in hell. The only question is whether your precious daughter will join you as well.”
“You’re an idiot!” Lucia screamed. “My daughter died months ago!”
“Wrong again,” Marcus said with a cruel grin. “Your daughter is alive. Not kicking, mind you, but alive. And I’ve already sent for her.”
He pulled off her blindfold and held up his phone, showing her a photo of Alexia Levett lying unconscious on a hospital bed.
Tears filled Lucia’s eyes as she stared at the image. Her defiance began to crumble, replaced by despair. Her life had already lost its meaning since her daughter’s supposed death, and now, the hope she thought she’d buried resurfaced, only to twist the knife further.
“Is… is that…?”
“Alexia Levett?” Marcus said mockingly. “Exactly.‘
“Marcus… No…!”
A gunshot rang out from outside the room. Seconds later, Marcus emerged, wiping his hands clean.
“What do we do with the body, sir?” one of his men asked.
“Get rid of it. Leave no trace.”
“Yes, sir!”
“Have you already checked the locations the woman mentioned?”
“Yes! And, as planned, we’ve got people at the declared airports and the ones that aren’t on the radar. The moment Frank’s people land, we’ll know. Trust us.”
“I know you’ll get it done. Where’s the old man?” Marcus asked, glancing at his watch. It was almost 8:00 p.m.
“We’ve got him in another room. Poor guy’s a wreck–let’s just say he’s not exactly holding up. He even wet himself after hearing his daughter–in–law’s screams.”
“Good. Now he knows what’s coming. Give me a moment; need to talk to Maximus Palmer.”
“Of course, sir.”
Marcus pulled out a cigarette and headed out to the courtyard. He dialed Maximus’s number. Meanwhile, Maximus was driving toward the Palmer group headquarters when his phone buzzed.
“What do you want, Marcus?” Maximus answered, annoyed
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+25 BONUS
Chapter 0732
“Are you on your way?” Marcus asked.
“Yes. Don’t distract me with nonsense,”
“Don’t go through with it. Don’t sign the deal,” Marcus said calmly.
“What makes you say that?”
“Maximus, you don’t know that family like I do. The only way to get them back is through force. I know you’re worried, but I’m already working on it. Don’t sign the damn agreement!”
“Marcus, I can’t just gamble everything based on your assumptions.”
“Damn it, Maximus!” Marcus snapped, flicking his cigarette to the ground and crushing it underfoot. “Could you stop being an idiot for once? They haven’t entered the country. I’ve got every airport–declared and hidden- covered. They’re not here.”
“Marcus, Frank’s got strong government connections. How do you know they didn’t arrive earlier?”
Marcus fell silent for a moment, weighing his options. If he wanted to get his son and the other children back, he’d have to use Maximus as bait.
“Fine, Maximus. Do whatever the hell you want. Just let me know if the kids are safe…” Marcus’s sudden change in tone caught Maximus off guard.
Maximus could tell Marcus was up to something, but he didn’t have the time to figure out what.
