Meanwhile, James was the first suspect Stephen had in mind upon receiving Naomi''s call and learning that Tessa was missing.


    James'' whereabouts had been erratic ever since he returned to Orkford. The identity he used had been fabricated in advance, and the number he was using was registered under someone else''s name.


    Stephen couldn''t get his hands on James'' number, so he could only wait for James to reach out to him first.


    However, he couldn''t wait, not even for a second.


    The thought of Tessa being in danger sent Stephen reeling, leaving him with ck spots in his vision. His heart clenched with anxiety, and even breathing became difficult at the thought.


    Stephen forced himself to keep his cool and took out his phone to make a call. "I want to see Cayden."


    He had just ended the call when he received a call from an unknown number.


    He had a hunch that it was James calling, so he immediately answered the phone.


    "Why, good evening, dearest brother," James drawled teasingly, clearly in a mirthful mood.


    Stephen''s heart tightened at his tone. "You were behind Tess'' abduction?"


    Jamesughed and repeated, "Tess, huh?"


    Stephen fell silent, caught in the trap. On the other hand, James continued in anguid tone, "It seems I got the right girl. You still love her."


    Stephen barked sharply, "Come after me if you wish, but don''t you dare hurt Tess!"


    James chuckled lightly. "Now, now. Let''s not be hasty. Capturing her was always about you."


    "Where are you?" Stephen demanded.


    James gave him an address and added, "Be here at 8:00 am tomorrow. Oh, ande alone. If you dare call the cops, I''ll ensure that she disappears from this world forever."


    ...


    The following day, Tessa was brought to an abandoned building near the border of a province.


    This ce was originally intended to be a multimediaplex. s, the n was forced to a halt due to a funding crisis, and the developer had no choice but to cease construction. Now, it was a rather infamous abandoned building.


    It had gained its notoriety because many film crews had made this ce a set for their scenes.


    The car that Tessa had been stuffed in yesterday night had driven about 30 minutes before slowing to a stop at the deserted area.


    She had been gagged, and a ck hood was ced over her head.


    Soon after, Tessa felt herself being shoved up some steps.


    She heard the sounds of helicopter des roaring and quickly realized that she had been made to board a helicopter.


    She had no idea how much time had passed before the helicopter finallynded. Tessa couldn''t see a thing, so she had no idea where she was.


    After she disembarked from the helicopter, she was stuffed into another vehicle.


    Tessa could feel that the car she was in was speeding. If it hadn''t been for her seatbelt, it was highly likely that she would''ve been tossed around like a ragdoll when the driver made several sharp turns.


    The car raced down the road for a while beforeing to an abrupt halt.


    As soon as it did, the door swung open.


    Tessa was roughly manhandled off the car, and the hood on her head didn''t budge even the slightest. Her vision was filled with pitch ck, and she couldn''t make heads or tails of anything. It was so bad that she nearly fell.


    "James, here she is." Tessa remembered that voice. It was the highly skilled goon who had gotten out of the car yesterday.


    Nevertheless, the name "James" was enough to send chills down Tessa''s spine.


    That was the name of the man who had nearly gotten her killed.


    Stephen called him a lunatic, an inhuman beast.


    So, James didn''t even need to say a word before Tessa''s heart started to tighten


    in fear as terror began to consume her.