"Did you see the photos?"
"Odelia, what do you want?"
"Lambert, I used to have a good impression of you. You're handsome, capable, and of high status. If you had chosen me, I would have led a stable life. But you were blind, rejecting a great woman like me for that idiot Lydia. And your mother went further, not only killing my child but also making it impossible for me to become a mother again. Don't you think your family owes me?"
"So this is revenge?" Lambert asked calmly, his tone steady. "Odelia, I think you need to see a psychologist."
"Stop the nonsense! I'm asking you a simple question. Do you want to save your mother or not?"
Lambert's pupils contracted slightly, his palms sweating. Despite his outward composure, his heart was racing. Seeing his usually dignified mother being humiliated stirred an indescribable pain within him. After a long pause, Lambert adjusted his emotions and asked, "What do you want?"
"My demands are simple: a
"I’m not that stupid!" Lambert hung up the phone decisively. Westside warehouse, huh?Lambert indeed wasn't going to call the police, but that didn't mean he couldn't seek help. He made several calls to his friends.Families like theirs typically employed bodyguards, and he intended to use them.Not knowing the exact situation, these bodyguards needed to be prepared and discreet to avoid alerting the enemy.After making the necessary arrangements, Lambert drove towards the Westside warehouse.The Westside warehouse was a cluster of abandoned warehouses on the outskirts of the city, an area notorious for its poor security and a haven for delinquents, even beyond the reach of the police.Odelia’s choice of this location was strategic; unless she exposed herself, it would be hard for anyone to find her.By the time Lambert arrived, it was completely dark.The area was teeming with idlers dressed in bizarre outfits, som
"What will it take for you to release my mother?" Lambert’s tone was somewhat harsh, which made Odelia laugh. He was anxious, which was good for her."Why don’t you beg me? Maybe if you beg, it will work." Odelia suggested, her eyes twinkling mischievously.Lambert remained silent, prompting Odelia to continue, "But begging alone isn’t enough to show your sincerity. How about you kneel and beg? Maybe if I’m in a good mood, I’ll let Nydia go."Nydia's eyes widened with hatred as she glared at Odelia. How dare this woman...Odelia noticed Nydia’s gaze and her expression turned cold. "What are you looking at? Look again and I’ll gouge your eyes out!" She quickly corrected herself, "No, I can’t do that yet. You need to see your son willingly kneel before me."Odelia’s eyes then settled on Lambert. Would this god-like man kneel for his mother? She was oddly excited to find out.With a loud thu
It was late at night, and the neighborhood where Lydia lived was quiet. Wythe’s shouting was particularly conspicuous. Afraid of attracting unnecessary trouble and delaying the plan to rescue Nydia, Odgen ordered the bodyguards to knock Wythe out.Seeing this, Lydia struggled desperately, but it was futile.Frustrated, Odgen knocked her out too. He left a bodyguard to look after Wythe and then took Lydia out of the house.After leaving the neighborhood, Odgen dialed Odelia’s number. Odelia, seeing the call, smiled playfully. The show was finally about to begin, and she was excited."Odelia, I have Lydia. Where do we exchange the hostages?" Odgen’s voice was urgent; he didn’t want to waste a second. His long-time wife was being held, and he couldn’t let her suffer.To Odgen, Lydia was the cause of all the problems.If not for her, none of this would have happened, and Odelia wouldn’t be so crazy. It was onl
Upon hearing that Odgen had arrived, Nydia's eyes lit up with hope. Surely he had come to rescue her!Meanwhile, Lambert was deeply suspicious of Odelia and her associates' demeanor towards Odgen's arrival. Why were they so pleased? Had Odelia struck some other deal with his father behind the scenes?Lambert's unease grew, realizing he had underestimated Odelia. Her cunning was truly surprising.Soon enough, Odgen was brought in, accompanied shockingly by the unconscious Lydia. In an instant, rage surged within Lambert as he rushed forward, attempting to seize Lydia."Stop him!" Odelia quickly ordered her henchmen. Lambert found himself outnumbered and blocked, forced to watch helplessly as his father and Odelia continued their "exchange".Odgen's gaze fell upon the bound Nydia, eyes reddened with fury. He demanded of Odelia, "I've brought the person, now release Nydia!""Dad!" Lambert interjected angrily, "You can't do this!""Why ca
"Lambert, what should we do now? You have to save your mom. She's been through hours of this torment, and I'm worried her health won't hold up much longer," Odelia said urgently.Lambert clenched his lips tightly, feeling helpless for the first time. If it had only been his mother, he might have found a way, but now he had to comply with Odelia's demands.Odelia was exhilarated; she had never imagined that controlling others' fates could be so thrilling and empowering. Her eyes were bloodshot, her face contorted with a terrifying expression."Lambert, how about I give you a chance?" Odelia said, her voice tinged with a sinister edge.Lambert's gaze turned cold as he awaited Odelia's next words, knowing they wouldn't be good.Odelia walked over to where Nydia and Lydia were bound. "You can only take one of these women with you. The other one will pay with her life for my child. How does that sound for a deal?"Lambert bit his lip, a hint of b
Only Lydia understood how terrible this feeling was.Fear inexplicably filled her body, and her limbs, stiff from being bound for so long, could only obey Odelia's commands.Lydia shook her head desperately. "No! I don't hate her!""Really? You must hate her. Let me help you. Just kill her, and it will all be over! No one will force you to leave Lambert. Isn't that good?" Odelia's voice was loud and mocking.Lydia trembled all over. Her hands and feet refused to obey her, but to Odgen and Nydia, Lydia clearly seemed under Odelia's spell."Lydia, what are you doing? Lower your gun! Do you even know who you're aiming at?""I'm sorry, I don't want to, but I can't control my body..."Odelia laughed triumphantly. "Yes, that's right! Just like I said. Pull the trigger, and you won't have to endure the Halsey family's scorn anymore. You won't have to separate from Lambert because of their objections. Isn't that great?"Nydia looked at
Odgen's heart-wrenching cry echoed through the air, causing Lambert to shut his eyes in agony. He embraced his father tightly, pleading, "Dad, please don't do this... Mom is still waiting for us..."As Odgen's emotions began to subside, tears blurred his vision. He looked suddenly aged, stumbling into the emergency room.Lambert, equally distraught, didn't even glance at Lydia standing nearby. He followed his father inside, his heart heavy.Tears streamed down his face; this was his mother, who despite opposing his marriage and orchestrating his future, had always loved him.Nydia, pallid and weak, her gaze unfocused, lips drained of color, knew her time was near. She summoned all her strength to catch Lambert's eye.Lambert dropped to his knees beside her bed, bowing his head deeply. "Mom, I'm so sorry! I'm so sorry!"Regret consumed Lambert. If only he hadn't been so headstrong, or if he had temporarily accepted Odelia's conditions, perhap
Frustrated, Wythe had no choice but to turn to Thera for help. Perhaps as an adult herself, she could comfort his mom properly.Thera arrived shortly after receiving the call. Just minutes ago, Lambert had called her asking to take good care of Lydia.As she pondered over what was going on with this family, Wythe called again, making Thera realize something serious had happened.Arriving at the villa past nine in the morning, Thera brought breakfast, knocking on the door.Wythe answered; the mature child's eyes welled up as he choked out, "Godmother, Mom came back and went straight into her room. She looks like she's been hurt..."Thera hugged Wythe and ruffled his hair. "I understand, Wythe. Go have your breakfast. I'll take care of your mom."Wythe nodded obediently, while Thera knocked on Lydia's bedroom door.Inside, Lydia sat motionless by the door, eyes vacant, tear streaks dried on her face. She curled up, consumed by profound