Ryan hissed in disgust, quickly texting back, "I don’t want to see you in my house when I return." He shoved his phone back into his pocket, only for it to beep again. Expecting another message from Bella, he reluctantly checked it. This time, it was from an unknown number: "I know where she was taken and who took her."Ryan’s heart skipped a beat. He immediately dialed the number, his hands trembling as the phone started to ring."Hello?" a gruff voice answered."Who is this? What do you know about Mrs. Jessica’s disappearance?" Ryan demanded."Calm down, Kendrick. I have information, but it comes at a price," the voice replied coolly."Name your price," Ryan said, desperation evident in his tone."We’ll discuss the terms in person. Meet me at the old warehouse on 5th and Main in one hour. Come alone, and don’t involve the police, or you’ll never see her again," the voice warned before hanging up.Ryan clenched his fist, trying to control his rage. He turned to the police officer. "I
Ryan’s blood boiled with anger. He texted the address to the police before he carefully moved to the front door, taking a deep breath before kicking it open."Hey Ryan shouted, storming into the cabin.The man turned, a look of shock and anger on his face. "Who are you, what are you doing here?""I could ask you the same thing. Why are you holding that woman hostage?" Ryan demanded, his fists clenched."It’s none of your business man, leave here now Mr. ," The man said, trying to stay calm.“Where's Mrs Jessica? Ryan asked Before the man could answer, the sound of approaching sirens filled the air. Ryan turned to see police cars pulling up outside the cabin."You led them here?" The man said, panic in his eyes.Ryan stepped aside as the police stormed the cabin, quickly taking the man into custody. The woman was untied and rushed to safety, her eyes filled with relief."Thank you, she whispered to Ryan.Iris sat up in bed, her eyes red from crying. Skylar held her hand, trying to offe
Ryan, Iris, and Skylar returned to the living room, their minds racing with the new information."We need to find this Ivan," Ryan said. "If he’s planning an attack, we have to stop him.""How are we going to find him?" Iris asked.Ryan, Iris, Skylar, and a team of police officers arrived at the address from the file. The place was heavily guarded, but they managed to slip past the guards and into the building.Inside, they found Ivan and his accomplice, deep in discussion."It’s over, Ivan," Ryan said, stepping into the room. "We know everything."Ivan looked up, a smug smile on his face. "Do you? I think you’re too late, Kendrick."At that moment, a loud explosion rocked the building, and chaos erupted.Ryan, Iris, and Skylar were thrown to the ground by the force of the blast. As they struggled to get up, they saw Ivan slipping out a back door."Go after him!" Ryan shouted to the police officers.Iris grabbed Ryan’s arm, her eyes wide with fear. "Ryan, what if there are more bombs?""
Back in his car, Ryan saw the text Iris had sent him and the cracked screen of her phone. Frustration and pain overwhelmed him, and he hit the steering wheel hard, screaming in anguish. Tears streamed down his face. He called his investigators, yelling at them for their sluggishness. "Now Iris has been taken! Find her and her mother, or you're all finished!" he threatened.He then called the police, reporting Iris's disappearance and the threatening text she had received. His next call was to Skylar, his voice desperate. "Sky, Iris has been taken. I need you to meet me."Ryan's absence from work had not gone unnoticed. Investors were growing anxious, and the company's stock was plummeting. The press caught wind of the turmoil, bringing unwanted attention to the Kendrick family.Mr. Kendrick, who had been resting since his last attack, received the news of Ryan's mismanagement and the company's troubles. He decided it was time to intervene.Skylar arrived at the designated meeting s
"Mr. Kendrick's eyes narrowed. "And how does that affect my company? That company was handed to me by my father. If I had handled it the way you have, it would be history by now. You don't go to work, you don't attend board meetings, you don't even engage with our investors. Do you know how much we have lost due to your negligence? You refuse to grow up, and now everything is crumbling around you."Mr. Kendrick's words stung, but Ryan knew they were true."This is how you intend to control my empire when I'm gone? The Kendricks are known for their wisdom. What's happening to you? You don't act like you have our blood running through your veins. I expected more from you, Ryan. You went as far as deceiving everyone, including me, about your marriage when it was all a contract."Ryan was shocked to hear that his father knew about the contract marriage. "How did you find out?" he thought."Have you forgotten who I am? I'm your father, and I have eyes everywhere. This is your mess, Ryan. Fi
The inside was dimly lit, and the sound of dripping water echoed through the space."Look over there," Skylar said, pointing to a small office in the corner. "Maybe we can find something in there."They made their way to the office and began searching through the papers and files scattered on the desk. After several minutes, Skylar found a folder labeled "Kendrick.""Ryan, look at this," she said, handing him the folder.Ryan opened it and found documents detailing transactions and communications between Bella and an unknown party."This is it," Ryan said, his heart racing. "This is the proof we need. Bella is involved in this.""Let's get out of here," Skylar said. "We need to take this to the police."As they turned to leave, they heard footsteps approaching. Ryan and Skylar froze, hiding behind the desk.The footsteps grew louder, and they could hear voices."I told you to keep this place secure," one voice said angrily. "We can't afford any mistakes.""I did, boss," another voice repli
Ryan and Skylar sat in the restaurant, strategizing their next move. Ryan was frantic with worry, and Skylar tried to remain calm to support him."We need to figure out where they took Iris and Mrs. Jessica," Skylar said, tapping her fingers on the table."I know. I've got my father's men looking into it, but we need to find more leads," Ryan said, frustration evident in his voice.Skylar's phone buzzed, and she quickly checked it. "I've got a contact who might know something. He's got connections with some underground networks. I'll set up a meeting.""Do it. We need every lead we can get," Ryan said, his mind racing Later that evening, Ryan and Skylar met Skylar's contact, a man named Marcus, in a dimly lit bar."I hear you're looking for someone," Marcus said, his voice low and gruff."Two people, actually. A woman and her daughter. They were abducted," Skylar explained, showing him photos of Iris and Mrs. Jessica.Marcus studied the photos and nodded. "I might know something, but it
After the investors had left, Luca turned to Ryan. "Buddy, I've known you for years, and I've never seen you in such a mood. You were absent-minded throughout the meeting. What's going on?"Ryan sighed as they stepped into the elevator. "There's a lot happening, Lu. A whole lot," he said, running a hand through his hair. "Iris is missing, after her mother went missing. And Bella is at my house, pregnant with my child."Luca's eyes widened in shock. "What?!!!""It's a mess, Lu. I don't know where to start," Ryan said, his voice breaking."Start from the beginning. What happened to Iris and Mrs. Jessica?" Luca asked, his concern evident.Ryan took a deep breath and began to explain. "Iris and I were getting close, despite everything. But after an argument with Bella, Iris ran out, and then she disappeared. I got a text from her phone saying she needed help, but I couldn't find her. Later, I found out that Mrs. Jessica was abducted from the hospital."Luca listened intently. You had all