Chapter 418 “Lilia, Lilia, Lilian, Lilian...” Joanna shouted in panic.
Unfortunately, no one answered.
Kody panicked and said anxiously, “Miss Haynes, don’t be anxious. I'll call Lilian now.” As he spoke, Kody quickly took out his phone and called Lilian.
Beep, beep, beep! The phone rang for a long time until an automated voice sounded. “Hello, the number you have dialed is not available. Please try again later...” He called three times in a row, but no one answered.
Joanna's face turned pale as she asked anxiously, “How is it? Did you get through?” “Lilian’s call hasn't been answered!” The first rule to follow when working in the Everett family was that the phone had to be turned on 24 hours a day.
Moreover, Lilian had worked with the Everett family for seven to eight years. She was a senior nutritionist and a childcare teacher, earning a high salary and a senior position. It was impossible for her not to answer the phone on a working day.
“Oh no, something might have happened.” “Hurry to the security room and check the surveillance footage. See if Lilian left the hospital with Miss Lilia.” “You guys, go look over there again.” “Okay, got it.” Joanna held her breath and almost lost her balance.
She had been too careless! She knew that someone had always wanted her dead, so she shouldn't have let her guard down.
Although she had brought bodyguards with her this time, not many people were allowed to enter the sanatorium’s ward.
Therefore, the bodyguards could only wait outside, which gave the criminals an opportunity.
If anything happened to Lilia, she would never forgive herself for the rest of her life.
“Lilia, Lilia, where are you? It's all Mommy's fault...” “Miss Haynes, this is not the time to be sad. Finding Miss Lilia is the priority now.” “Let's hurry to the surveillance room and see if Miss Lilia has been taken out of the hospital.” “Okay.” Soon.
The group of them arrived at the surveillance room.
“Miss Lilia is missing. Hurry up and pull out all the surveillance cameras!” The security guard in the surveillance room was originally dozing off when a few burly men barged in. He was so frightened that he did not dare to say anything and hurriedly checked the surveillance cameras.
Kody moved the mouse to check the location of Lilian.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇt“Here, here. it's Lilian.” In the surveillance footage, Lilian carried Lilia out of the ward.
Then, she walked out of the corridor. Unexpectedly, just as she reached the fire escape, a man wearing a mask and a cap suddenly rushed out.
The masked man wrapped his arm around Lilian’s neck and dragged her into the fire escape.
With a scream, the surveillance footage returned to normal.
After everyone saw that scene, their hearts tightened. “Hurry up and check the fire escape.” “Quick, quick, quick!” The two bodyguards left the surveillance room and immediately ran towards the fire escape.
Joanna snapped back to reality and took a sharp breath, feeling a chilling sensation that seemed to freeze her whole body.
She hurriedly followed him to the fire escape.
In the fire escape.
“Hurry up and look for them. They should be nearby.” “Here, here!” A bodyguard opened the trash can in the corridor and found Lilian inside.
At this time, Lilian was still unconscious, and Lilia was still missing.
“Lilian, Lilian!” “Get her out!” The two bodyguards worked together to carry Lilian out of the trash can. Kody reached out to check if she was still breathing.
“She’s unconscious. Hurry up and call the doctor!” As he spoke, Kody extended his thumb and forcefully pressed Lilian’s philtrum, exerting pressure for a while.
“Ugh... Lilian muttered and woke up from the pain.
“Lilian, where's Miss Lilia?” Joanna hurriedly bent down to ask, “Where's Lilia, Lilia!” Lilian blinked. Her mind went blank. She could not remember what had just happened! She only remembered being dragged into this place and strangled till unconscious.
“Miss Haynes, | don’t know. | was dragged here and then knocked unconscious...” As Lilian spoke, her head tilted and fainted again.
“Miss Haynes, hurry up and call the police! Miss Lilia must have been kidnapped.” Joanna shook her head violently. “We can’t call the police. What if it's a kidnapping? Once we call the police, what if the robbers kill the hostage?” Then hurry up and call Mr. Everett.” As he spoke, Joanna's phone vibrated.
Buzz, buzz, buzz.
Bruce video called.
Joanna calmed down and answered the call while trembling. “Hello.” As soon as the video call connected, Bruce saw Joanna's expression. “What's wrong? Why do you look so pale?” “Bruce.” Joanna's breathing was obstructed. She was so nervous that she could not speak.
On the other end of the video call, Bruce panicked when he saw Joanna like this. “What exactly happened?” “Bruce, Lilia. Lilia is gone!” Joanna said mournfully as tears burst out of her eyes.
Boom! Bruce's mind exploded, and every hair on his body stood on end.
His daughter and Joanna were the women he loved the most, and he couldn't bear the thought of anything happening to his daughter.
“Don't panic. Tell me slowly. What's going on?” Joanna choked and blamed herself. Her vision turned black as she fell forward weakly.
“Miss Haynes, Miss Haynes!” Kody hurriedly supported her so that she did not fall to the ground.
Joanna, don’t worry. I'll be right there!” Twenty minutes later.
Bruce rushed as fast as he could to the hospital.
“Where's Joanna.” Kody replied uneasily, “Miss Haynes fainted. She’s in the emergency room now.” Bruce's expression changed as he flew into a rage. “What exactly happened?” “Lilian was knocked unconscious by a criminal. Then, Miss Lilia went missing!” “A bunch of frash. Why can’t you guys handle such simple tasks? If Miss Lilia can’t be found, I'll make all of you pay with your lives!” Bruce shouted. His expression was terrifying, like a tyrant.
On the hospital bed, Joanna woke up after being unconscious for a while. “Lilia, Lilia...” Seeing this, Bruce quickly went forward. “Joanna, you're awake?” Joanna took a few deep breaths and broke down into tears. “Bruce, Lilia is missing, Lilia is missing!” “I know. | already know. You have to remain calm.” It's all my fault! It's all my fault!” Joanna burst into tears.
Bruce hugged her tightly and comforted her. “I've already sent people to look for her. If she was kidnapped, it must be for money.” “Don't panic. Before the kidnappers get the money, they definitely won't hurt Lilia. The kidnappers will call soon...” When Joanna heard this, she cried even harder. Tears streamed down her face, and she was so desperate that she could not speak.
If Lilia was kidnapped, with the Everett family’s financial resources, no matter how much ransom was asked, they could afford it.
But she worried that Ryan had abducted Lilia. The situation would be different.
Ryan hated her to the core. He might very well take revenge on her by hurting Lilia.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmIn the next hour, Bruce and Joanna looked like it was the end of the world.
Every second seemed to pass in endless darkness.
Finally, Bruce's phone rang.
Beep, beep, beep! Bruce held his breath and quickly picked up the call. “Hello!” On the other end of the phone, a distorted voice from a voice changer said. “Hello there, Mr. Everett.” Bruce gasped. This voice was very familiar to him.
Just like the kidnapper who abducted Princess Martha before, it was the same kind of voice changer. “Who are you, exactly?” “Do you have my daughter?” “That's smart!” “Please don’t hurt my daughter. How much do you want? I'll give it to you.” “I don’t want money this time. | want people.” Bruce frowned. “Who do you want?” “I want... Joanna.” Bruce subconsciously, glanced at Joanna.
Joanna had already heard everything. She hurriedly snatched the phone away. “Hello, who are you? Please do not hurt my daughter. What do you want me to do? I'll agree to everything.” On the other end of the phone, a malicious voice sounded. “| want you dead!” When Joanna heard that, her heart skipped a beat.
No need for further speculation. The person who kidnapped Lilia must be Ryan.
Previously, she had always thought that he had hidden overseas. She did not expect him to still be in Greyport.
“As soon as you die, I'll send your daughter over.” 0 Joanna took a deep breath and tried her best to calm down. “Alright, | promise you. However, | want to make sure that my daughter is still alive. Let me hear my daughter's voice. Let my daughter talk to me.” “Mommy, cough, cough, um...” Chapter 419 “Lilia, don’t be afraid. Mommy will save you.” “Mommy...” Lilia’s crying stopped abruptly. It was obvious that she had been carried away.
Joanna tried her best to calm herself down. “What do you want me to do to make you let my daughter go?” The person on the other end of the line was silent for a few seconds before he suddenly laughed maniacally, “Jump down from the Emporium Building. I'll let your daughter go once you are dead.” When Bruce heard this, his face turned pale. He snatched the phone back. “Who are you? Why are you doing this?” “Do you know the consequences of your actions?” “I can give you money. What do you want? | can give you anything. As long as you let my daughter and Joanna go.” The kidnapper laughed even more maniacally. “I only want Joanna dead. Only one of them can live.” “As long as Joanna jumps down from the Emporium Building. I'll immediately let your daughter go. Otherwise, you will see your daughter's corpse! I'll give you one day to consider.” As the kidnapper spoke, he hung up.
“Wait! Wait” Bruce called out a few times.
But the call had already ended.
Joanna calmed down, and her eyes revealed a calmness as though she had accepted her death.
As long as her daughter could return safely, she would give up her life for her.
Bruce had guessed Joanna's plan. He immediately went forward and hugged her. “Joanna, don't be stupid. Even if you die. the kidnapper might not let Lilia off” “In this situation, we can only call the police.” Joanna shook her head sadly. “We can't call the police. What if the kidnapper hurt Lilia?” “Don’t worry. I'll discreetly call the police. With the help of the authorities, we'll catch the kidnapper.” Joanna's expression was unfocused as she stopped Bruce. “No, we can't call the police.” “If the police cause too much commotion, the kidnappers might find out. It will surely be detrimental to Lilia. The kidnappers® motive is not for monetary gain. We must not provoke them.” “You can’t jump off a building, can you?” “For Lilia, I'm willing!” Bruce grabbed her arm and shook it hard. “Joanna, don't be silly “I won't allow you to do that. Do you hear me?” “What else can | do? Lilia is already sick, and this will terrify her... Joanna said, her voice choked with tears. She felt as if her heart was being torn apart.
Her daughter was currently ill. Her life was extremely fragile. If she experienced further distress and abuse, there would be a possibility that she might not be able to withstand it even before the kidnappers took any action.
Bruce pondered for a few seconds and frowned. “Joanna, let me tell you the truth. The kidnapper is Ryan.” Joanna's reaction remained calm, even without Bruce saying anything. She knew deep down that the kidnapper must be Ryan.
“I know | know it’s him. No one wants me dead more than he does.” “Don’t be anxious. When he calls again, confront him directly.” “Confront him? What difference would it make? He already wants me dead. Even if | confront him directly, that won't change his mind.” Bruce sighed. “Why don’t you ask your father to persuade him?” “Dad?” “No, Dad is so sick now. He can’t be agitated anymore. Besides, he can't talk now. Even if he goes to persuade Ryan, it won't help.” “Then let's go ahead and wait for him to call again. We'll discuss it with him and see if there are other conditions. In short, | 1/3