“What about you? Have you obtained any information about Julia’s whereabouts?”
Since yesterday, Edward seemed anxious. As soon as he saw Kairos coming to his house this afternoon, he bombarded him with questions.
Knowing that Bella had been kidnapped, Kairos took the initiative to search immediately since yesterday. He even mobilized all his men to find Julia’s whereabouts.
“No,” Kairos shook his head. “Initially, my people managed to locate where Julia’s car was parked. But after further investigation, she was already gone. I think she’s smart and deliberately switched vehicles to avoid being tracked. And when we checked her phone’s position, Julia was no longer there.”
“Damn it!” Edward cursed. His jaw clenched. His expression a mix of frustration, anger, and worry. “Bella is really in danger. I’m sure Julia can be reckless.”
Kairos sighed repeatedly. If scrutinized, his face indicated someone preparing to get angry.
“From the beginning, you’re the one who got Bella into trouble,” accused Kairos. His voice clearly showed his displeasure.
“What do you mean? I’m the cause of all this?”
Kairos nodded casually.
“Just so you know, when you were on duty in Switzerland, Bella was subjected to abuse by Julia and her assistant. At that time, Julia clearly tried to kill the baby Bella was carrying. Luckily, Bella managed to defend herself and escape until she finally met me. Really, Edward. If only you could have been decisive from the beginning, none of this would ever have happened. If from the start you could have taken a firm stand, I’m sure Bella wouldn’t have suffered. That’s why I intentionally hid Bella so she wouldn’t meet you again.”
Edward was shocked. Of course, he only just found out the fact that Bella had been with Kairos all this time.
“So, Bella is with you? You’re the one hiding her from me?”
Kairos nodded.
“I deliberately did this to protect Bella. And now, look what happened? Once again, Bella is in trouble, and even her life is in danger, all because of you.”
“Because of me?” Edward seemed unwilling to accept it. “How is all of this because of me, Kairos? I didn’t even know anything.”
“Are you blind? Ah, I forgot, you’re just plain stupid,” Kairos retorted casually. “Read carefully the messages Julia sent. She’s deliberately holding Bella hostage to ask something from you, right? Once again, if you had been firm from the beginning, none of this would ever have happened. That’s why, if Bella and her baby get hurt, you’ll be the first one responsible.”
Edward was speechless. He wanted to protest, but upon reflection, Kairos’s words had some truth to them. It was his fault for being indecisive and slow to make decisions and choices from the beginning.
“I beg you, can we now focus on finding Bella’s whereabouts?” Edward finally asked. Cornered, he felt he couldn’t argue or protest against Kairos’s harsh accusations anymore.
“No need to tell me. I’ve mobilized everyone, including the authorities, to find Bella’s whereabouts.”
A few seconds after Kairos spoke, Edward’s phone rang. Seeing a private number calling, Edward immediately answered it. Perhaps this call was from Julia purposely using a secret number to avoid being tracked.
“Hello.”
“Darling…”
Edward’s suspicion was correct. It was indeed Julia calling him.
“Julia, where are you?”
Laughter erupted immediately from the other end.
“You’re asking my whereabouts? Do you miss me, Edward? Ah, I’m sure you’re missing my touch. Do you want to meet and make love to me? Well, at least to alleviate your longing.”
Edward sighed. He felt disgusted hearing Julia’s recent words. Glancing at Kairos, his friend signaled him to activate the loudspeaker so he could clearly hear what Julia was saying.
“Stop your nonsense, Julia Estelle. Where is Bella right now?”
Once again, Julia laughed.
“Patience… no need to rush. I promise to hand Bella over to you. As long as you follow my instructions first.”
“What do you want?” Edward asked without beating around the bush.
“Prepare $100 million for me.”
“You’re insane!” Edward exclaimed. Julia’s request sounded excessive. Even though Edward was wealthy, $100 million wasn’t a small amount for him.
“Who’s insane?” Julia replied. “I think that amount is equivalent to the price of Bella and her unborn baby. If you’re not interested, I might as well just get rid of them both.”
“Don’t!” Edward exclaimed again. He saw Kairos, his friend, signaling him to just follow what Julia instructed. “Fine, I’ll give you a $100 million check. Where should I hand it over to you?”
“Good… I like it when you’re firm and not beating around the bush like this. But before I tell you where we should meet, you also need to prepare a few other things.”
“Goodness, Julia Estelle…” Edward sighed in frustration. Was $100 million still not enough for Julia to give additional conditions and requests? “What else do you want?”
“I just ask you to come alone. Make sure not to bring the police or anyone else. Also, make sure I can leave safely without any interference. But, if you violate my request, I swear to God I will eliminate everyone you love.”
Edward took a deep breath. Following Kairos’s signal, he followed the requirements Julia asked for.
“Alright. I’ll follow all your requests. Please let me know where I should exchange the check for Bella.”
“Don’t worry. Just wait for news from me.”
Once the call ended, Edward took a deep breath again. He felt dizzy and worried about how to deal with Julia without hurting Bella.
“$100 million is not a small amount of money, Kairos,” Edward said.
“I know. Just give Julia what she asks for. We’ll lure her out. After that, my men and I will immediately ambush her.”
“But, you heard yourself that Julia has given a threat, didn’t you?”
Kairos nodded casually. Then he sighed.
“Don’t worry. Julia won’t be able to do anything. Just trust me. Now, your task is just to pretend to follow what Julia orders. If she informs you of her location, contact me immediately.”
***
“It’s not in vain that I kidnapped you.”
Julia grinned widely. In front of her, Bella sat in a chair with her hands and feet tightly bound. She seemed to struggle even to move, let alone stand up.
“Edward won’t be foolish enough to obey your orders.”
Julia burst into loud laughter. Her face clearly mocked after hearing Bella’s words.
“Are you willing to bet? It’s precisely because Edward is famously foolish that I’m sure he’ll grant all my requests.” Julia chuckled. Besides, if Edward were clever, he would have sensed the affair she was having long ago.
“After I get the money I need…” Julia continued. “Feel free to take Edward for yourself. Furthermore, I no longer need him. Feel free to use him as you wish. You don’t have to worry about me interfering with you two.”
Julia spoke as if Edward were a used item ready to be donated. She spoke as if Bella deserved to receive something that she had already finished using.
Leaving Bella for a moment, Julia seemed to prepare herself. Then, she was heard making a phone call.
“I’ll leave in five minutes. We’ll meet at the place I’ve chosen. Once again, if you bring the police or anyone else with the intention of ambushing me, don’t blame me for taking drastic action and ending Bella and your future child’s lives right then and there. I swear to God, I won’t let you meet them!”
Bella, who clearly heard that, could only swallow hard. Worried and scared, she feared that something terrible would happen to her and the baby she was carrying.
Then, Julia approached Bella. She heard her calling out, ordering the man she had paid to move Bella into the car.
“Let go!”
Bella tried to resist. But, being overpowered, she couldn’t do anything as she was dragged and forced into the car.
“If you want to stay safe, I hope you can cooperate. Don’t worry, if Edward obeys my orders, I won’t hurt you. So, be quiet or I’ll smack your head!”
Bella swallowed hard. Choosing silence, she didn’t say anything more. Praying silently in her heart, she hoped that God would be with her and save her from the clutches of the insane woman now sitting in front of her.
“Hurry, take me to Cityburg. After getting the money from Edward, you must take me to the airport immediately. Today, I must leave London.”
“Alright, Ma’am. I’ll take you right away.”
Julia seemed impatient, hoping that her plans would go as she desired.