Ryan''s revtion sparked my intense curiosity.


    I pressed for more details, asking, "And? Is there anything else?"


    "No... You know the situation, and I was on borrowed time. Plus, when I started investigating, I realized that finding even this bit of information was quite a lot of trouble," Ryan replied earnestly.


    "When did you think about looking into this?" I was curious.Property ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    "It was after returning to Bibury and recalling when we first met, along with everything that happened afterward. I wanted to help you figure out the things you''ve been suspicious about. But once I started digging, I found out how peculiar it all was."


    I hadplete faith in Ryan''s words. It seemed my parents were not what I expected. They weren''t northerners, and certainly not from Bibury.


    "Finding that old teacher was incredibly difficult, and the old man is almost 90 years old now, but he''s sharp as a tack, with a remarkably clear mind. He said he felt uneasy after getting thatrge sum of money, so he decided to relocate his whole family to the capital.


    "It took a lot of time and effort for me to find him. Following up further became challenging due to ack of leads and time constraints. I even extended my vacation and took almost a month off before returning to Foswood with Joyce."


    "Looks like there''s a story here," I murmured into the phone.


    "Yes, I even suspect... Though it''s just a suspicion... That your surname might be fake," Ryan told me. "I thought I could continue my investigation if I could go back to Bibury during Thanksgiving."


    My head throbbed again. I massaged my temples absentmindedly and said, "It looks like it must be rted to this notebook."


    I thought about the forms in that notebook, wondering what they could be.


    Could my dad have connections to Bermuda? I hesitated to let my thoughts wander any further.


    If they were from Bermuda, how did I end up in their hands?


    "Chlo... Chlo, are you still listening?"


    "I''m here!" I quickly snapped back to the present. "Ryan, finish up your business in Sris and return to Foswood. It''s a critical time, and none of us are in the office. I''m worried.


    "Don''t worry about what''s going on in Bibury. As and the police here can handle it. But I still don''t know when I''ll be able to go back. I''ll feel more at ease if you''re in Foswood."


    "All right, got it. I''ll return to Foswood tonight. Don''t worry. No matter what happens, stay calm, don''t get worked up. Trust that As can handle it," Ryan reassured me. "Yeah, okay." I finished talking with Ryan and hung up the phone.


    "My wife told Ryan about this," Mike said a little awkwardly.


    "It''s okay. He''s worried, but thepany in Foswood can''t be left unattended. I''m afraid it might be a diversion tactic, and we can''t afford any mistakes on that front. That''s why didn''t ask Ryan toe," I


    exined to Mike.


    "Understandable. It wouldn''t have helped even if he hade back. With the police involved, there''s nothing we can do," Mike said, then asked me, "What do the kidnappers want with your dad?" I shook my head, saying, "I don''t know. They just want an old notebook of my dad''s!"


    As we spoke, my phone suddenly rang sharply again. I nced at the screen and hurried back into the room.


    As immediately understood, reaching for my phone. The police officer in charge promptly gave instructions to his prepared team. "Get ready to trace their location."


    "Got it!" The IT specialist was ready and waiting.


    As calmly answered the phone, and the voice on the other end spoke again. "Time is running out. Let me repeat, I want that notebook."


    "Sure, but I''ll need to see if the


    hostage is safe, or there''s no deal." As''s voice remained firm, not yielding an inch. "The item is in my possession, but if you want it, you''ll have to follow my instructions. warn you, if anything happens to him, you know the consequences."


    I understood. As was intentionally prolonging the call. Otherwise, he wouldn''t have said so much.


    The IT specialist stared intently at theputer, fingers rapidly dancing on the keyboard, and all we could hear was the clicking of the keyboard.


    "Don''t be so arrogant, As. Let me see the notebook before I show you the hostage. I set the conditions. for this game. Don''t forget, the hostage is in my hands," The kidnapper said sinisterly. en FindNovel