Karen chuckled. "Sherman is probably joking. How could anything happen to Rita on her way home? Maybe she had an argument with him and didn't answer his calls, so he thought something happened."Vince, visibly impatient, replied, "Enough with the questions. Just wait at home. I told him the same thing when I called him, but he wouldn't believe me and even threatened me. I don't know if he even considers me as an elder!"Vince descended the stairs as he spoke, leaving Karen standing there with her arms crossed disdainfully.'Who in this family actually treats him as a real elder anyway? Doesn't he realize what an embarrassment he is by clinging to Sherman like a leech?'At times, Karen did not approve of Vince's behavior and would have scolded him already if it were not for the baby boy in her belly. However, it seemed like something bad really had happened since Sherman called Vince.Karen instinctively thought of Sadie. In case something unexpected happened, she needed her daught
'If he likes Rita that much, I might as well let her live. After all, we could benefit a lot from Sherman. But Sadie is right, too. She's alone now, so how could she even have the means to kidnap Rita? It seems I've been overthinking,' Karen comforted herself, hand on her chest.Meanwhile, Sadie's expression changed after hanging up the phone, and she briskly walked over to Esmond. "Mom called. You heard her, didn't you? She doesn't want anything to do with you. After you've settled the Rita problem, I'll find a way to arrange for you to meet with her, but for now, I have to go home."Esmond nodded. "I know I let you and your mom down before. Alright, sweetheart, you go home first. Daddy won't let you down with this matter, and I'll make sure it won't lead back to you."Sadie felt very unwilling when he referred to himself as her father, but she needed his help, so she had to bear with it for the time being.On the way back, Sadie's mood remained cheerful. She heard from Karen that
"Yes. So far, they haven't called or stated any ransom amount, but this is a very serious incident. My wife was taken on her way home, and I believe your officers understand what might happen next. Our only demand is to prevent the worst-case scenario. I want her back safe and sound, not a hair harmed."The lieutenant Sherman was talking to did not take the matter seriously, but upon realizing Sherman's identity, he immediately sat up straight. "I promise to ensure the safe return of your wife. We've mobilized a team to investigate and gather clues in the area."Sherman impatiently interrupted him, "Alright, handle it however you see fit. I just want her back safely."He hung up. Knowing he should not rely only on the police, he contacted the people who had some connection with the criminal world. He was not unfamiliar with unconventional methods, but some people were too arrogant, always thinking they could manipulate everything."Go find out if there's been any activity from Esmo
Vince had not expected to hear those words from Sherman's mouth. Genuinely incensed by his words, Vince spat in the direction Sherman had departed."Pah! Who does he think he is? How dare he speak to me like that! How could Rita have turned out so well if I had raised her like a stepdaughter? I provided her with everything she ever wanted ever since she was born. The fact that Sherman was able to marry her was all thanks to my pleading and insistence! And he still dares to say I don't care for her? What does he know about caring for her?"Vince paced angrily, his frustration mounting. 'Just who the heck did Sherman think he was? I'm his father-in-law, yet he looks down on me? If he's so high and mighty, then he might as well not marry my daughter! How can he accuse me of not worrying about Rita when she's in trouble? Of course I'm worried! He's making it sound like he's the only one who cares about Rita in the whole world. What's he playing at putting up such a loving act in front of
Vince could not see Sadie's smug smile since his back was turned toward her.'Seems like Esmond has employed more reliable help this time, making the abduction swift and decisive,' thought Sadie. Out loud, she asked with concern, "Dad, have you called the police?"Vince impatiently waved her off. "Enough, let's go back for now. Standing here won't bring Rita back. Sherman has sent people to look for her. I don't know if he'll call the police or not. If they've kidnapped her and he calls the police, it might put Rita in danger."Sadie nodded. "You're right. Let's go back. Mom might be worrying about us right now."Mentioning Karen reminded Vince that she was pregnant. He did not want to stay there either. After all, the people who had kidnapped Rita might target the others in her family as well."Alright, you don't need to worry about Rita's kidnapping. Let's go home."As they drove back home, they saw Karen—her baby bump showing—standing at the door and anxiously looking around.
Sherman felt a pang of heartache at the thought of how naive Rita was. Suddenly, he remembered a key figure in all of this—Esmond.Sherman recalled how he and Rita had embarrassed Esmond. Being a formidable thug for so many years, there was no way he would be able to swallow that humiliation."It better not be you behind this," Sherman muttered to himself.Sherman had kept tabs on Esmond after their previous escape, so if it was indeed him, there should have been some activity. However, after that incident, Esmond had been unusually quiet, even avoiding his own territory.Sherman could not let go of this lead.Just then, Lucy called. "Mister Sherman, we've found Esmond's whereabouts. He went to his casino as usual today, and we didn't see him near the Russell's mansion," Lucy reported.After hearing her report, Sherman became even more suspicious. Other than Esmond, he could not think of anyone else Rita might have recently offended.Using such drastic measures, even disregardin
"We were supposed to have dinner at home. I'm starving. Let's at least eat something. Even if we can go hungry, we shouldn't let the little one in your belly go hungry," said Vince.Karen reluctantly nodded. 'His daughter is missing. How can he still have the appetite to eat? This is totally unheard of!'…Meanwhile, Rita was lying in the back and swaying with the movement of a large truck with her eyes and mouth covered. She could only press her ear against the carriage, straining to listen to the sounds outside. She did not know who these people were or why they wanted to kidnap her.Just like Sherman, the only person she could think of that she had offended recently was Esmond. 'But I've been keeping my distance away from him, so why would he resort to such a drastic measure against me?'Rita could not find an answer; she did not know what went wrong in between. She was filled with anxiety and fear, not knowing what her kidnappers were up to. As the truck continued on its journ
'Does Vince even see Rita as his daughter? Or is he going to rely on the unborn baby in Karen's belly, whose gender hasn't even been determined, to take care of him in his old age?' thought Sherman.Sherman did not waste time with them. He pulled up a chair and sat down, decisively ordering the entire Russells' residence to be surrounded so that not even a fly could escape.Vince frowned and threw down his spoon in irritation. "What are you doing? Shouldn't you be focusing more on finding your wife? Why did you come here?"He was still sore about Sherman hanging up on him twice before.Sadie avoided Sherman's gaze when he looked at her. Karen even held onto her own belly tighter.Seeing the guilt in Sadie's eyes, Sherman knew she was involved in Rita's kidnapping. After all, Sadie used to watch him like a hawk, never wanting to miss a second, whenever he came to her place for dinner before.At that moment, Sadie was very afraid, and Sherman wanted to know just how many people wer