“… Do you understand? When the time comes, we’ll bring the person here, and you make sure to keep an eye on them. Once the deal is done, there will be benefits for you, for sure!”
Candice stood behind her father, watching as a burly man mercilessly poked her father’s shoulder, not holding back. Her father nodded and bowed, holding a few large red bills in his hand, a smile plastered across his face. Her stepmother stood beside him, even the crow’s feet at the corner of her eyes seemed to be smiling, nothing like her usual sharp and acerbic self.
“Understood, Ron. Please, rest assured. It won’t delay your matters and those of your brothers.” Candice tilted her head, her gaze fixed on her father’s hand. Would having money finally enable her to live a good life?
That night, her stepmother and father seemed unusually cheerful. Her stepmother even made two extra meat dishes and didn’t give Candice any cold looks while she ate. The next morning, during breakfast, her father kept urging them to eat quickly so they could go out, even changing into a new, spotlessly clean, indigo coat.
The three of them arrived at a small cabin on the mountain. In less than ten minutes, the man named Ron, whom Candice had seen the day before, pushed the door open and, unlike before, this time he had two children with him, a boy and a girl who seemed to be around Candice’s age.
The boy was slightly taller, emotionless, and seemed rather composed. Both he and the girl had their hands bound with rough rope, showing no sign of resistance.
At first sight, Candice’s attention was captivated. The boy had a strikingly handsome appearance, fair skin, bold eyebrows, prominent nose, tightly pursed lips, and bright, deep eyes, like stars shining. “This brother is so handsome!” This was Candice’s genuine thought upon seeing Patrick for the first time.
“There you go, these two, keep an eye on them! Dragging these two brats up the mountain so early, they must be starving… Hurry up, cook some food for me and the brothers!” Ron reached out, pushing the young Patrick and the girl forward. Candice’s father quickly pulled them over, and her stepmother promptly agreed, then hurried off to the kitchen.
Candice’s gaze remained on Patrick. She had never seen such a good-looking boy before.
After the meal, Ron and his henchmen didn’t leave. Instead, they drank and smoked in the spacious main room, while Patrick and the girl had been locked in a small room by her father, who then locked the door.
Her stepmother, with a nod and a bow, left the main room. When she saw Candice still standing outside, she pushed her away. “Go, go, go play by yourself! Don’t stick around here!” After scolding Candice, her stepmother left without paying her much attention.
Candice glanced in the direction her stepmother had left. At that moment, voices came from the main room. She walked over and leaned against the door to eavesdrop. The door was not completely closed, offering a narrow gap through which Candice could spy on the room’s activity.
“No, boss, why are we doing this business? It’s not worth the effort. Aren’t you afraid of getting caught?” It was a blond lackey beside Ron, whom Candice recognized.
Ron lounged on a kang, leaning against a wooden wardrobe, a few empty bottles at his feet. Impatiently, he clicked his tongue and said in a manner of an experienced person, “Tsk, what do you know? Fortune favors the bold, don’t you know? Besides, someone told me that this kid lives in the city, and his father… his father is a big shot in business! In short, in their family, he’s the only child, heh.”
After picking his teeth, Ron tossed the toothpick to the ground. “That person told me that as soon as we kidnap him, we won’t have to worry about food and clothing anymore. In the end, it’s just doing someone a favor. Once we sell this kid, when the money comes in, we’ll go abroad and live the good life. Who could find us?”
After speaking, Ron chuckled a few times. Candice frowned. So, they were going to sell that boy! Before she could react, she saw another bald man sitting on a stool speak up, “But, Ron, if that boy is an only child, what about the girl? Are we being deceived?”
Ron waved his hand, looking indifferent. “That girl is just a bonus. She nearly ruined my plans. I brought her back just in case. She’s pretty, and we can make a good profit by finding a buyer for her.”
“Alright, enough talk. Go check on them, but don’t make too much noise. We don’t want any bloodshed,” Ron said, somewhat inebriated. He then got off the kang, kicking over a bottle, which made a “thud” sound.
Candice quickly reacted, running to the open space outside, pretending not to know anything. When Ron and his men came out, they casually glanced in Candice’s direction before heading towards the room where the children were being kept.
Once they were out of sight, Candice, using her peripheral vision, saw one of the men holding a menacing black wolfhound. Worried about the boy, she discreetly followed them, hiding outside the window to eavesdrop.
Inside the small dark room, the girl sat huddled in a corner, while Patrick sat beside her, furrowing his brows as he surveyed their surroundings.
“Will we… will we be able to make it back home successfully?” The young girl swallowed and asked in a small voice. A girl in her early teens suddenly finding herself in a strange environment would naturally be scared.
“Don’t be afraid. Someone will come to rescue us,” Patrick affirmed with determination.
“The little bunnies are still dreaming. You expect someone to come to your rescue?” Ron’s voice came from outside, accompanied by his two lackeys and the large dog. Ron looked menacingly at Patrick, a mocking smile on his lips.
The men and the dog entered the small dark room.
“Who are you? Let us go!” Though Patrick’s hands were bound, his fists were clenched. He shielded the girl, showing no fear as he looked at Ron. But when he saw the large dog, his gaze became intense.
Ron sneered, and the dog, excitedly, started barking loudly at the two children.
“Us? Kids, blame your family for offending someone. Stay here quietly, and when your family sends the money, we’ll let you go.”