Chapter 7

Rachel drove Joel to a remote, unfinished building on the outskirts of the city. There were weeds everywhere, and it was completely abandoned.

She dragged him along, swiftly making her way into the unfinished building, but his body no longer could keep up with her pace.

Joel staggered along, struggling to catch his breath in gasps, yet Rachel was seemingly blind to it. She was only moving forward anxiously.

She finally came to a halt.

Joel looked up and saw Christopher with his hands bound. He was hanging from the rooftop. He cried out, "Save me, Rach!"

"Chris!" Rachel was heartbroken. She tried to comfort him and said, "Don't be afraid, I'm here now. I won't let anything happen to you!"

"Just as the rumors say, Ms. Rachel really does love her lover very much." A group of abductors walked out while asking gleefully, "Have you brought the money?"

Rachel coldly replied, "How am I supposed to get you five million dollars in such a short time?"

One of the abductors said, "So the deal is off the table then? Fine, I'll cut this rope and let your lover meet his demise—"

"Wait!" Rachel dragged Joel by his arm and pushed him out. "I'll trade him in instead"

The abductors frowned. "What kind of joke is this, Ms. Rachel? Do you think we're stupid?"

Rachel said, "He's sold every organ in his body. He's probably worth more than five million."

Joel collapsed onto the ground and stared at her in disbelief, yet she only had eyes for Christopher.

She continued, "I'm sure you guys wouldn't dare to spend the five million even if you managed to get it, since the police will be on your tracks.

"It's better for you to take him to Northern Moyona instead. A healthy young man's organs would surely fetch a good price. It'll be the safest option for you guys there."

The abductors exchanged glances, seemingly sold by Rachel's words.

The police would surely be on the lookout for them with abducting and extorting such a large sum under their belts. They'd be living on the run.

It would be better for them to just bring a live person to Northern Moyona. Once they sold off his organs, they'd be able to live a carefree life in Southeast Aysea for the rest of their lives.

Christopher continued to cry. "My wrists hurt, Rach—"

Rachel urged the abductors, "Hurry up and release my lover!"

The abductors split into two groups. Two of them grabbed hold of Joel while the other two cut off the rope.

Christopher fell from the rooftop. Rachel swiftly ran over and caught him. "Don't be afraid. I'm here now."

He said, "I knew you'd come and rescue me, Rach!"

Meanwhile, Joel was mercilessly dragged away by the two men. He struggled and yelled, "You've been deceived by her! I'm her real partner!"

The abductors burst out laughing. "You're her partner? Everyone in Hallowbrook City knows how much Ms. Rachel loves her lover. She wouldn't have handed you over for us to sell your organs if you truly were her partner!"

Joel's heart turned cold. The Rachel from before did love him dearly, but she was now a completely different person.

The sound of sirens echoed from downstairs. Several dozen armed SWAT officers soon surrounded the entire unfinished building.

When the abductors realized they were tricked, they cursed, "You wretch! You set us up!"

Rachel was already taking cover behind the SWAT officers with Christopher in tow.

The SWAT officers shouted at the abductors, "Release the hostage, and we'll show mercy!"

Surrounded by the police, the abductors were forced to surrender as they had nowhere to escape. Joel was finally rescued.

When he walked past Rachel, she said, "I called the police earlier. I only traded you out knowing that you'll be fine."

Joel chuckled coldly. "What if the police had been a moment too late? Or what if the kidnappers panicked and threw me off the building?"

Rachel frowned and said, "What's the point of talking about things that didn't happen?"

"You're right. There's no point at all." Joel smiled bitterly and stopped talking.

"You better not go home for now. Just go stay in the hospital instead. Chris just went through a shock and needs to rest," Rachel said while hugging Christopher.

Joel nodded and replied, "Don't worry. The things you're worried about won't happen."

As the hostage, the police assigned an officer, Lily Bloke, to look after him.

Lily told him, "We'll take you to the hospital for a full check-up to see if you're injured."

Joel smiled and agreed to it. However, when they arrived at the hospital, he said, "You can drop me off here. Thank you."

Lily was worried. "I'll leave after your check-up."

"There's no need to. I'm fine. I just need to get some cold medicine from the doctor. You must have duties to attend to, so you can head back first. There's no need to stay with me," Joel said.

Lily nodded and said, "Alright then. You can just contact me if you feel unwell after this."

Joel replied, "Alright. Thank you."

He smiled while watching Lily hurry away. He then turned around and walked in a different direction.

The sign on the building read: "Body Donation Department."

Joel powered off his phone, took out his SIM card, and snapped it in half. He then tossed the pieces into a trash can.

After that, he took a deep breath before walking into the building.

Rachel would never be able to find Joel again from now onward.