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    "I know her life is at stake," Theodore said, "or I wouldn''t have called you. Since the kidnapper hasn''t contacted you, there''s no point in continuing this conversation. I''m hanging up now."Published by N?v''elD/rama.Org.


    "Wait," Sebastian called out to him.


    "What now?" Theodore replied, clearly impatient.


    "If the kidnapper contacts you again, you need to tell me!"


    "You too. If the kidnapper calls you, you have to inform me. For Rose''s safety, the more people who work together, the better the chance of protecting her. Let''s put aside our past grudges until she''s safe."


    "Alright," Sebastian agreed. "It''s a deal. Whoever gets thetest information must inform the other."


    After hanging up, Sebastian smashed his phone to the ground.


    "Theodore, I don''t believe a word you say."


    Time passed by.


    By midnight, Theodore still hadn''t slept.


    Nighttime was the best time for a deal. The kidnapper might just call him at this time.


    He kept waiting, staying awake through the entire night.


    By morning, he hadn''t received a call from his bodyguards, nor had Sebastian contacted him.


    If the kidnapper had reached out to Sebastian, it was possible Sebastian wouldn''t tell him. Even if Theodore called to ask, he wouldn''t get any answers.


    If Sebastian was determined not to tell him, there was no point in asking. And if the kidnapper hadn''t contacted Sebastian, asking would be useless anyway.


    Theodore rarely felt this helpless.


    When he realized he had lost Rosalie


    and could never win her back, he


    was in pain and felt lost-but at least, she was safe. Even though he was heartbroken, he deserved it.


    But now, Rosalie was kidnapped, and her life was on the line. He


    ет


    couldn''t imagine the torment she might be enduring, and it terrified him. If he could, he would dly trade his life for hers just so she could return safely.


    "Rose, how are you doing now?" Theodore lifted his head and gazed at the lonely moon outside the window.God, or whatever higher power might be out there, I don''t know if you''re real or not. But if you are please protect her. I''ll do anything. Just don''t let her be hurt."


    Theodore didn''t believe in God or any divine being, but at that moment, it was the only hope he had.


    ...


    By noon, the sun was hanging high up in the sky. It was the brightest time of the day.


    With a loud bang, the door to the room was flung open, startling Rosalie, who jumped from her chair.


    A masked man strode in, and Rosalie backed away.


    The man grabbed her arm, and yanked her roughly. "What are you hiding from?"


    "What do you want?" Rosalie was terrified. She was at his mercy, and he could do whatever he wanted. She wasn''t naive enough to believe he wouldn''t hurt her in such a situation.


    Rosalie forced herself to look up and stare directly into his eyes, trying to discern his true intentions. But all she saw in his dark eyes was an endless abyss, revealing nothing but sheer terror.


    The man pulled out a pair of handcuffs, and cuffed her hands.


    "What do you want?" Rosalie demanded angrily. "You brought me here, but haven''t told me what you want. Do you think this is fun?"