Chapter 371As the moon rose above the horizon, casting a fair glow on the landscape, Williams, Kane, Tom, and the rugged man marked by deep scars made their way to the border crossing into Emerald Falls.The air was thick with anticipation as they approached the checkpoint, where the towering gates stood framed by lush greenery. Shadows danced around them as the trees swayed gently in the night breeze, adding an almost eerie quality to the atmosphere.Williams adjusted the straps of his backpack, his eyes scanning for any sign of trouble, while Kane exchanged a few wary glances with Tom, who was busy observing the scarred man.The scarred man's intense gaze hinted at a tumultuous past, an unsung story hidden behind his weathered exterior.The group's nerves were palpable as they prepared to step into the city of Emerald Falls. Instead of flying, Williams suggested they take a black SUV, which they used.As the black SUV sped along the main highway leading into Emerald Falls, Williams
Chapter 372He stepped outside the sleek, upscale lobby of Sky Suites and took a breath of the crisp Emerald Falls air before pulling out his phone. The city was so different from Red Waters—clean, modern, and strangely calm. But his focus was elsewhere. Dialing Mr. Sterling, he listened as the phone rang, already running through the plan in his mind.“Mr. Sterling,” Williams said, his voice low but confident, “just got in from Red Waters. I’m ready to help you get your son back. And we’re doing this without giving those kidnappers a cent.”On the other end, Mr. Sterling’s voice rose with immediate relief and excitement. “Williams! It’s good to hear your voice,” he said, sounding almost buoyant. “I can’t tell you how much I’ve needed to hear from you. They’ve been calling, every day, every hour—threatening my son’s life, making demands. But knowing you’re here… that changes things.”“Indeed it does,” Williams said.“So, what's the plan? How are we going to outsmart them?” Mr. Sterling
Chapter 373Mr. Sterling took a deep breath and pressed the call button, his fingers slightly trembling as he dialed the number of the kidnappers. Williams stood beside him, watching closely, his face expressionless but his eyes sharp with intent. The phone barely had time to ring before a rough, menacing voice picked up on the other end, as though they had been waiting anxiously for this exact call.“About time,” the kidnapper sneered. “We were beginning to think you were backing out. If you want to see your son alive, this is your last chance.”Mr. Sterling held the phone tight, putting on a performance of forced calm and fear. “No, please, I have the money. I’ve arranged everything. Just… just tell me where to go, and I’ll bring it,” he stammered, his voice quivering just enough to sound desperate.Williams, positioned right next to him, pulled out his phone, angling it subtly to avoid the kidnapper’s notice. He began pressing buttons, pretending to work a tracking application. He
Chapter 374The phone rang a couple of times before Kane picked up, his voice gruff and impatient. “What’s the deal, Williams? We’ve been waiting for hours. You finally got something, or are we still sitting around?”Williams, leaning casually outside against the wall of Mr. Sterling’s mansion kept his voice low, steady and calm. “Kane, something just came up, and it’s big. Listen carefully. My informants just told me Jack and his crew kidnapped the son of a top-tier entrepreneur—a big shot. This kid isn’t just any target; he’s got a rich father willing to pay anything to get him back.”Kane’s tone sharpened immediately, laced with anticipation. “That bastard. Where is he? And how do we get to him? I’ve been itching to teach him a lesson.”“Calm down,” Williams interjected firmly. “We’re not taking out Jack. Not yet. He’s our link to Scarface, and we need Scarface more than we need revenge. The kid they’ve got? That boy is our top priority, we must rescue him too at all cost.”Kane sc
Chapter 375Meanwhile, James and Gregor were huddled near the battered wooden table, speaking in hushed tones. The faint glow of the lamp overhead cast elongated shadows across their faces, highlighting the intensity of their expressions.Coincidentally, they were working on something that might lead them to the kidnappers.James felt more confident than ever that the kidnappers had fully fallen for the false messages he had sent using Ben’s phone. With this advantage, he began formulating a new plan to outsmart them.“What if we release Ben?” James asked.“Release him?” Gregor was confused. “What do you mean?”James leaned forward, his fingers drumming against the table. “Look, Gregor,” he began, his voice tinged with frustration, “I know this might sound stupid, but releasing Ben is the only shot we have at ever rescuing that boy. The kidnappers already believe the fake conversations we sent through his phone. If we release him, there’s no way he won’t try to locate the others. But
Chapter 376The adjacent room was dimly lit, with a faint hum from the overhead lights casting a sterile glow over the sparse furniture. Ben sat slouched in a wooden bed, his wrists bound in worn metal cuffs that had clearly seen better days, his wrists tight from the handcuffs. His face, still bruised from past scuffles, showed little emotion as Gregor strode in, holding a fresh set of cuffs in one hand and a neutral expression on his face. James followed close behind, shrugging off his jacket and tossing it onto a nearby table, where he had already placed Ben’s phone and his own.Gregor approached Ben without a word. The air in the room was heavy, tension palpable. “Alright,” Gregor said gruffly, his voice cutting through the silence, “don’t act funny. I’m just here to change your cuffs.”Ben didn’t resist. Instead, he raised his hands in surrender, his movements deliberate and slow. “Go ahead,” he said, his voice hoarse but steady.Gregor leaned down, fumbling with the old cuffs a
Chapter 377Ben’s heart pounded in his chest as he sprinted down Montgomery Street, the dim city lights flashing past him in a blur.The cold night air bit at his face, but the rush of adrenaline kept him warm as he ran faster, dodging potholes and uneven sidewalks. His legs burned, and his breath came in sharp, ragged gasps, but he didn’t dare stop. He couldn’t afford to. He didn’t know how much time he had before James or Gregor realized he was gone—before they started chasing him down.The street was quiet, almost unnervingly so. It was nearing midnight, and the usual buzz of the city had given way to a deep, almost suffocating silence. The only sound that echoed in the stillness was the rhythmic thud of Ben’s feet pounding against the pavement.The street lamps overhead flickered intermittently, casting long shadows across the cracked sidewalks, as though the city itself was holding its breath. The world around him felt both foreign and unfamiliar, and the realization that he had
Chapter 378Up ahead, he saw a dimly lit bar on the corner. The neon sign flickered in the night, casting an eerie glow on the sidewalk. Ben hesitated for a moment. He didn’t want to draw attention to himself, but the bar could offer him some answers. He could ask around, get directions—maybe even find someone who’d help him.As he approached, he kept his head low, making sure to avoid any lingering eyes. He didn’t want to attract any suspicion, not tonight. The bar’s door creaked as he pushed it open, and the familiar smell of alcohol and stale smoke hit him as soon as he entered.The dim interior was bathed in amber light, the kind of place that felt stuck in time—dark wood paneling, worn leather stools, and a long, polished bar. The chatter of a few patrons in the back corner mixed with the soft sound of a jukebox playing an old song from the ’80s.The bartender, a middle-aged man with a scruffy beard, glanced up from wiping down the bar and gave Ben a once-over. Ben met his gaze b