Nick was shocked. "Take me to it!""Promise me that I can build my station here." Hayden stood his ground."You probably won't be able to do it in the city center. It's too obvious, and you might alarm someone that even I can't handle. I might have my connections, but I don't get to do whatever I feel like doing either," Nick said. "How about places in the suburbs?""That's fine as well," Hayden said and walked outside, with Nick following closely behind.Though Hayden was merely a teenager, Nick could not help but feel like he was working for Hayden.Nick led Hayden to his car to circle for an ideal spot…"Hayden, what kind of chip did you insert into your mom's phone?""A GPS chip.""Oh. Did you buy it? Is it something invented in Bridgedale? I heard that phones have GPS function but would only be traceable once switched off." Nick was extremely interested in the chip Hayden was talking about."I didn't buy it. I can track the chip in my mom's phone even if her phone is swit
There was a car closely following Nick's car, and he turned around and spotted the black car."It's rare for someone your age to be this organized," Nick complimented. "Let me know if there's anything you need help with. I sent my men to the pit earlier today and the staff there said that they haven't seen your parents in the past few days.""Okay."After sending Hayden to the spot where the station would be built, Nick stood on the side to watch for a while.Hayden had brought along a large group of people, who were moving equipment out of the car and were already starting to build the station.Everything went on smoothly in an organized fashion while Hayden stood to monitor the others.Noticing that he had underestimated Hayden, Nick could not pluck up the courage to talk to him. After all, he realized anything he had to say meant nothing to Hayden as Hayden was fully focused on building the station to find Avery.Sweating profusely under the unforgiving sun, Nick eventually r
Meanwhile, in Aryadelle, Tate Industries.Natalie had been keeping a close eye on Ylore news, but she had not seen what she had hoped to see.She did not mind, though.Elliot and Avery had been locked inside the basement of an abandoned house in the suburb. She had sent someone to place a device that blocked all signals, which meant that there was no way they could call for help.One of the exits was locked and the other was completely sealed, so their only fate was death.She counted the days and realized that the two had been locked inside the basement for four days. Whether they could survive or not depended on a variety of factors. Elliot was strong and might still be alive, but Avery seemed more fragile and must be dead by now.Natalie's heart leaped with joy at the thought that Avery was dead. Soon, Tate Industries' name would be changed, and Natalie already had a new name in mind: Jennings Industries."Ms. Jennings, why are you smiling like that?" Her assistant walked i
"I was just asking, but I know what kind of a person you are. Once you set your mind to something, no one can change your mind," Dean said and continued after a pause, "Giving this a try isn't that bad. Even if you fail, everything will simply remain the same. Elliot wouldn't fire you.""Who knows? He only set this target for me so that I would give up. I am too stubborn, and I enjoy proving my worth, so I won't regret it even if I fail in the end.""I do admire your perseverance, Natalie.""I admire you, too, Dean. I personally think that you are just as talented as Elliot.""Don't say that! I can't hold a candle to him!" Dean gaped and glanced around. "Natalie, you mustn't say things like that!""This is my office, Dean, you don't have to worry. I only said so because I know word won't get out," Natalie said just in time for the assistant to return with the tea.Natalie accepted the tea and asked the assistant to leave.Dean looked over at Natalie after the door was closed."
The next day, Ben arrived in Ylore.Dean had informed him that Elliot might be in an accident and Ben could not simply sit still, so he decided to hurry over.Chad took Ben to where Hayden was building his station.Ben adjusted his spectacles as he stared at the incomplete station in confusion. "GPS chip? And it requires a specific type of signal station?""I'm confused too and asked Hayden about it last night. He said that it wasn't your typical GPS chip but that it was something he created on his own.""I thought he has school right now?""He should have his own free time outside of school, too! In any case, he says that the GPS chip he created was encrypted and required signal from a specific station. He mentioned that someone in Bridgedale has already started using the GPS system he created," said Chad. "He's been working non-stop until twelve in the morning, and he only takes a break when I force him to. He then comes back here before dawn."Ben's expression darkened. "Why
Ben and Chad followed Nick to a nearby restaurant to eat.At the restaurant, Nick sighed. "This is the sixth day since they went missing."Both Ben and Chad completely lost their appetite at the remark.The longer they took, the less hope they had in finding them. No matter where Elliot and Avery were, they had to be in a horrible situation if the others could not reach them.At three in the afternoon, the station was completed and Hayden hurried to the closest hotel from the station where he had been staying for the past two days.It was five hundred meters from the station and he could see the tower from the window of his room.He returned to the hotel and shrugged off the raincoat, while Chad helped remove the helmet he had been wearing."Hayden, why don't you eat something first?" Ben handed him a lunchbox."It can wait until after I find Mommy!" Hayden was not feeling hungry at all, but his voice was already hoarse from dehydration."Just take a sip of water, then!" Ben o
The others followed him out of the car.Hayden had installed the system on his iPad and strode toward the red point marked on the map.Chad's eyes reddened at how remote and desolate the area was."This whole area belonged to that criminal organization." Nick had been here before and said, "It's deserted, so no one comes here under normal circumstances.""I guess there are still survivors from that same organization and they are probably the culprits behind this kidnapping," Ben said.Chad could not help but shed tears at what Ben had said."Chad, I'm just guessing. Don’t cry." Ben did not want his theory to be true, as that would mean that there was no chance that Elliot and Avery were still alive."Ben, I think what you said makes sense." Nick stepped on the muddy path alongside them. "Apart from the members of that organization who know about this place, no one else would bother coming here."Chad took off his glasses to wipe his tears."Alright, don't cry." Ben tapped him
There were no furniture or dividing walls. Only the kitchen and washroom were in separate rooms. "Baam!"In the kitchen, one of the bodyguards pushed a cabinet down.Since they could not find Avery's phone despite the fact that there were merely a few pieces of furniture in the hut, they had resorted to shoving all the furniture down.To their bewilderment, a miracle unfolded before them once the cabinet was moved aside."Mr. Felix, there's a door here!" The bodyguard shouted once he spotted the rusted door.Everyone else ran over in an instant."Bring it down!" Nick commanded once he saw the door.The bodyguard cleared his throat. "Boss, we can just open it." He then pulled the door open and an entrance appeared. It was dark. They gasped.Ben had not expected his theory to be right. Chad was overwhelmed with a premonition that Elliot was long gone.Just as the others stared dazedly at the entrance, Hayden went past them and darted into the darkness."Hayden! Let the body
Three years later…Ivy and Robert stood at the airport in Aryadelle, anxiously waiting."It's been three years! Your boyfriend is finally here to see you!" Robert exclaimed before shifting the conversation. "He's not here to break up with you, is he? After all, you haven't seen each other in three years. A lot can change."Ivy sighed, "Robert, can you not jinx it? Although we haven't met in three years, we talk on the phone and video call every day!"Robert quipped, "Digital romance.""Anyway, he promised me that he's going to settle down in Aryadelle this time, and we won't be apart again," Ivy said. Robert smirked. "He's got a strong sense of pride. When he meets Dad later, they might not hit it off, and he'll buy a ticket to leave tonight!"Feeling helpless, Ivy was at a loss for words. Just then, a familiar voice called out, "Ivy!"Ivy immediately looked over to the source of the voice and saw Lucas stepping out of the exit, dragging his suitcase behind him. A smile sp
Mr. Woods did not expect Hayden to be so direct, and he found himself momentarily caught off guard. He had come to ask Hayden for money, but he had not thought about exactly how much he wanted. After all, Hayden's family was extremely wealthy, and he did not want to ask for too little and feel shortchanged, nor did he want to risk asking for too much and having Hayden refuse. It was a tough decision. After a brief internal struggle, Mr. Woods turned to Hayden and said, "I know your family is one of the wealthiest in Aryadelle, so why don't you name the price? I trust you won't mistreat my son and our family." Hayden furrowed his brows slightly. Shelly, noticing his hesitation, quickly chimed in, "Uncle, why don't you make an offer? We're not very familiar with this process. If you insist on us naming a price, we might need to consult my father-in-law." "Elliot Foster, you mean?" Mr. Woods asked. Shelly nodded. "Yes. My father-in-law isn't as easygoing as my husband. After a
"All right. Let's find a place nearby to sit and talk." Mr. Woods breathed a sigh of relief. "Good! Our house is actually nearby. Would you like to visit? Ivy has been with us for many years, and our staff has a close relationship with her." Hayden glanced at Shelly and asked, "Should we go?" "Sure!" Shelly said. Mr. Woods immediately invited Hayden and Shelly into his car and drove them to the Woods' mansion. Upon arriving, Mr. Woods instructed the servants to serve tea and refreshments. He pointed to the butler and said to Hayden, "This is our butler. He hired Ivy's grandmother." Hayden nodded. Mr. Woods then introduced Hayden: "This is Irene's older brother, the renowned businessman Mr. Hayden Tate." "Hello, Mr. Tate. Irene was a wonderful young lady," the butler said. "We all liked her very much. When we heard of her passing, we were truly saddened. Fortunately, she didn't actually pass away! Ivy is a very sensible and resilient girl, one of the strongest I've eve
Ivy's eyes were red as she said, "Hayden, Lucas' mother has passed away, so I won't be able to spend time with you for a few days." "It's okay. Given what has happened, we're not in the mood for fun either. After we attend his mother's funeral, Shelly and I will return," Hayden said. Ivy nodded. "How are funerals handled here?" Hayden asked. Given Lucas' relationship with Ivy, his younger sister, he felt a sense of duty to help Lucas with the funeral arrangements. "It's similar to how it's done back at home. Wealthy people can have elaborate funerals, and those with less money can opt for simpler ceremonies. Those who can't afford much at all can forgo the ceremony and opt for a simple burial," Ivy said. "What if someone wants a more elaborate funeral?" "Hayden, do you want to help with his mother's funeral? He doesn't have any close relatives here, so there's no need for an elaborate ceremony," she explained. "I see. Go and talk to him about it. I'll help with whatever I
Lucas hung up, tears welling in his eyes. Ivy stood by his side and asked, "What's wrong, Lucas?" "My mom has passed away. You should keep your brother company! I need to head back to the hospital." "I will come along! Aunty seemed fine just now, so why did she suddenly pass away?" The two hurried toward the car, completely forgetting about Hayden and Shelly. Hayden and Shelly watched as they left awkwardly, and Shelly said, "Honey, let's go to the hospital. I think Lucas' mother has passed away." "Sure." The two caught a taxi and hurried after Lucas. Meanwhile, in the hospital, Lucas arrived to first encounter the doctor and then his father. Mr. Woods tried ingratiating himself with his son, saying, "Lucas, I came to the hospital to see your mother, but when I arrived, she had already passed away. What a shame!" "Are you sure she had already passed away before you came? I was here earlier today, and when I saw her, she was still alive!" Lucas said. Mr. Woods reto
Mr. Woods sneered, "What do you mean? Are you looking down on me? Although the Woods family has fallen on hard times, we're still a prominent family in Taronia! Lucas may be foolish, but are you any wiser? If it weren't for me backing Lucas, would the Fosters even look at him?" "Shut up! The Foster family isn't narrow-minded like you! Ivy's family doesn't dislike Lucas, so don't go causing trouble! They don't want to see you at all!" Lucas' mother retorted. Mr. Woods scoffed. "Is that so? Do you really think they don't look down on him? Why wouldn't they? Are they planning to make Lucas marry into their family instead of the other way round?" "It's none of your business! You never cared about Lucas, and now that he's independent, he doesn't need you anymore! You wouldn't have come to me repeatedly if Ivy wasn't Elliot Foster's daughter and if she wasn't interested in Lucas. Do you really think I have no idea what you are plotting?" Mr. Woods countered, "What nonsense are you ta
Ivy did not hesitate, immediately shaking her head. "I'm not leaving. Don't worry about me; just focus on yourself." "Staying here is just a waste of time." "I've been studying and interning so hard for so long. What's wrong with taking a break now?" Ivy argued. Before long, Hayden and Shelly had finished their shopping, and Ivy and Lucas immediately joined them to go to the hospital. Lucas' mother had no idea that Ivy's brother and sister-in-law were coming to visit her, so she appeared a bit uncomfortable when they arrived. She tried to sit up, but her body failed her. Ivy raised the head of the hospital bed. "Aunty, my big brother and sister-in-law came over to Taronia for a visit. They wanted to see Lucas and you." "Oh, this is really embarrassing. It's a blessing for my son to know Ivy..." Lucas' mother muttered sheepishly. Shelly reassured, "Aunty, don't say that. Lucas is outstanding. Otherwise, Ivy wouldn't have fallen for him." Lucas' mother continued, "I've
Throughout the meal, Ivy found it hard to enjoy her food. Lucas and Hayden discussed everything that mattered, and the conversation went smoother than anyone had anticipated. Hayden was not upset, nor was Lucas. It was a better scenario than what Ivy had hoped for, but she still felt depressed. "Lucas, my husband and I would like to pay your mother a visit. Would that be okay?" Shelly asked after finishing her food. "Sure," Lucas said. "Don't we need to ask your mom first?" Ivy asked. "It's fine. We can just head over right away and introduce them once we arrive." Lucas' mother grew weaker every day and had stopped using her phone altogether, so it was her nurse, whom Lucas had hired, who reported his mother's condition to him daily. "You restarted your business and have to take care of your mother simultaneously; you're really strong. Most people would crumble under the pressure," Shelly commented. "Ivy had a tougher life before. She didn't crumble, so I won't eith
After what Ivy said, Lucas added, "I want to focus on my career for now. Marriage is secondary until I become more successful." Hayden sneered. "Running a business isn't as simple as it seems. What if you fail or never achieve anything out of the ordinary?" "If that happens, I won't drag Ivy down," Lucas said. "At least you know your place." Ivy felt as though her cheeks were on fire. "Hayden, even if Lucas fails, I won't give up on him. I won't let him go just because of his financial state." Shelly grabbed Hayden's hand again, signaling to him to control his temper; he could be rude to others, but he could not be so demanding with Ivy. Ivy sensed that she was slightly out of line, and her tone eased. "Hayden, we shouldn’t judge people based on their wealth. Our family is rich enough, and there really aren't that many people out there who can compare to our financial state, so why does it matter how wealthy my partner is?" "Ivy is right. Love matters most. Even if we man