Chapter 349
Chapter 349:
A dark, mocking laugh echoed through the line. “Rumor had it you only cared about your current husband’s child, not your ex’s. I doubted it at first — but seeing how upset you are over Miss Palmer, I’m convinced. I trust you’ll deliver the antiques to the address we send, without trying anything clever p>
The call cut off, leaving Monica frozen in stunned silence.
Kristine’s eyelids fluttered open, and an awful stench immediately assaulted her senses. Before she could even determine where she was, the sound of sobbing filled the air.
She turned her head and spotted Elyse, tears streaming down her face.
Irritation simmered within Kristine as she forced herself to take in her surroundings. They were inside what appeared to be an abandoned factory. Dust and decay hung in the air, thick with the smell of mold. Just drawing a breath left her dizzy and nauseous.
She swallowed back the urge to be sick, squeezing her eyes shut to collect herself.
That brief calm was shattered by a booming, furious voice erupting nearby.
“Let go of me! Are you out of your mind? Do you have any idea who you’re dealing with? How dare you kidnap me p>
Kristine recognized the voice immediately. It belonged to Jemma.
Squinting against the dim light, she turned toward the commotion. There, just as she expected, Jemma was bound hand and foot. Their eyes met, and for a brief moment Jemma’s shouting stopped as she stared back.
Spotting Kristine tied up and sprawled on the floor, Jemma broke into a gloating laugh. “Well, look at that — you’ve been kidnapped too, Kristine. I couldn’t have asked for a better outcome p>
I𝘯te𝗻s𝖾 rо𝗆a𝗻𝗰𝘦 𝘰𝗇.с𝗼m
Kristine rolled her eyes. “You do realize you’re tied up just like me, right p>
That wiped the grin from Jemma’s face, but she quickly lifted her chin in defiance. “I’m nothing like you. You could sit here forever and no one would bother paying your ransom. But I’m different — Mom is already working on getting me out. Want to make a bet on it, Kristine p>
Kristine said nothing and looked away.
A smug smirk curled Jemma’s lips. “See? I knew you wouldn’t dare. Deep down, you know Mom doesn’t give a damn about you p>
Elyse’s sobbing quieted as she absorbed the taunt. She lifted her tear-streaked face and fixed Kristine with a look of malicious delight. “So you really are completely alone, Kristine? If I’d known — maybe I would have handed Colton over to you sooner p>
A chill crept into Kristine’s eyes, but before she could respond, the sound of the door creaking open cut her off.
Her attention snapped to the entrance as the two men who had abducted her strolled inside. Noticing all three were awake, the kidnappers seemed entirely unfazed. Their lips curled into thin smiles. “You’re up — good. Now pick up the phone, contact your families, and let them know it’s time to pay p>
One of them thrust a phone into Kristine’s hand.
Jemma burst out laughing, unable to contain herself. Her laughter drew a cold look from the kidnappers. Shrinking from their glare, she quickly tried to explain. “She’s the last person anyone would pay to rescue — I just found it funny that you picked her first p>