When she saw the notification on the phone’s screen ‘Call with Uncle Sidney – 38 seconds’, her eyes flashed suddenly and she realized that she had accepted Sidney’s call!
“Uncle Sidney!” Aubree used all her strength to shout out but she was immediately slapped!
“So it’s Uncle Sidney? Then we’ll go on handsfree so that you can listen to your niece groan!”
Sidney was silent for a moment and then said coldly, “Release her if you want to live.”
“Are you so scared that you’ve lost your mind? How dare you threaten us!” The person who held the phone was furious and tossed the phone aside. He then walked over to Aubree with the intention to rip off her clothes, “I’ve not tasted such a young girl!”
“Don’t touch me!” Aubree bit that person’s finger until it bled.
“Don’t touch her!” Hendrix used all his strength to lunge forward even when he was tied to the chair. He fell in front of her in an attempt to protect her and prevent anyone from getting close to her.
“Hendrix…” Aubree’s eyes were obscured by her tears. She wanted to crawl closer to Hendrix but was held back by someone.
She looked helplessly when a man, whose eyes glared terrifyingly while holding onto a thick iron rod, walked towards Hendrix. She yelled in horror, “Hendrix! No!”
But, the iron rod swung ruthlessly onto Hendrix’s leg without mercy, practically trying to kill him.
Hendrix perspired profusely and the veins on his forehead throbbed from the pain. Though he was in immense pain, he didn’t utter a word and looked towards Aubree, “I’m… alright…”
Aubree cried, “Please let go of him…”
“I’m the son of Tristan Elliot of the Elliot Group! As long as you release me, my father will give you whatever amount of money you want!” Hendrix had no choice but to use his father’s name.
The group of them stopped what they were doing and exchanged looks with each other.
He was the only son of the Elliot Group. That must be worth something!
Toby seized on the opportunity, “20 million for the both of you!”
Without hesitation, Hendrix endured the pain as he muttered, “I’ll give you 40 million if you release us!”
As soon as Hendrix voluntarily raised the ransom amount, it opened the floodgates of greed. The eyes of the man, who Aubree bit, lit up and shouted immediately, “80 million for 2 lives.”
Hendrix was young and only now did he realize that he was foolish to raise the ransom amount.
“You are asking for too much!”
The group of them laughed, “Rascal, 40 million is for your life, 80 million for you and your girlfriend’s life. Make your choice!”
Before Hendrix could answer.
“100 million, as long as you release the girl.” Sidney’s voice came over the phone. He was calm and collected but with a tone, that refusal was not an option.
Those present were stunned. 100 million for just one life?
“Transfer the money before we release her!” Anyone can claim to pay a 100 million. They will only believe it when the transaction came through. They looked at each other and then towards Toby.
Toby lit a cigarette and gave Sidney the bank account number. Very soon, a 100 million was transferred to his account.
They couldn’t believe their eyes and counted the number of zeros several times.
“There’s another 100 million once she’s home safely.” Sidney’s magnetic voice and presence made Aubree feel relieved. But Uncle Sidney’s negotiation did not include Hendrix.
Aubree couldn’t help but shout out, “Uncle Sidney, what about Hendrix?”
But Sidney didn’t answer.
The group of filthy men had just wanted to fool around with the woman and didn’t expect to score a 100 million. Each of them should end up getting more than 10 million.
“Send her to a road with taxis and make sure she boards the taxi,” Toby ordered.
“Uncle Sidney, Uncle Sidney! What about Hendrix! Uncle Sidney!” Aubree cried anxiously as she was dragged away. Hendrix was still there! Why wouldn’t Sidney help him?
“You said 80 million for two of us! Now my Uncle Sidney gave you 100 million. Why can’t you release him?” Aubree didn’t know why Sidney didn’t react to this but she had to say something!
“Little girl just leave quietly, since someone paid for your ransom.”
“Release him and I will beg Uncle Sidney to give you more money.” Aubree ran towards Hendrix to undo the rope. Hendrix was losing consciousness from the pain.
“I give you 10 seconds to get her out of there. Otherwise, I will not give you the other 100 million.” Sidney started to sound angry.
When they heard that, they immediately separated Aubree and Hendrix.
“Hendrix!” Aubree cried and wanted to hold onto Hendrix’s hand but was forcibly taken away.
As she left the factory, she saw Hendrix slumped on the ground writhing in pain and she looked directly into his horrified and desperate stare.
From then on, that look remained a thorn in Aubree’s heart, unremovable and unforgettable.
They were still young then but that experience was seared into their memory.