CHAPTER 163.

The rain hammered down relentlessly, drumming against the taxi’s windshield as it drove through the streets.

Inside the cab, Alexander sat rigidly in the backseat, his mind racing with frantic thoughts. The driver, oblivious to the turmoil in his mind, made casual conversation, his eyes occasionally darting to the rearview mirror.

"Did you just hear that news?" the driver asked, breaking the silence. "The states has turned into something else, imagine yesterday they talked about the kidnapping, today they've tagged it to a philanthropist"

Alexander stiffened, his heart skipping a beat at the mention of kidnapping. He forced himself to maintain a calm demeanour, leaning slightly forward. "I haven’t been following the news lately, but that's just how the country is."

The driver glanced at him through the mirror, seemingly eager to chat. "It’s huge! The police are all over the city with checkpoints and roadblocks. They’re on high alert, and everyone’s talking about it, I'm aware."

Alexan