At four in the afternoon, Elysia walked into the coffee shop with Elliot and Evan in


    tow.


    Zane had been waiting for a while.


    He was dressed in cks and a white shirt, looking a bit worn out yet still managing to exude a sunny, boy-next-door charm.


    Zane had that bookish, honest-guy look.


    His features were sharp and dignified, the kind that made you think, "Wow, he''s got it all together!"


    Anyone who didn''t know him would never guess that beneath his handsome and genteel exteriory a heart as ck as coal.


    Elysia clenched her fist discreetly, marching straight toward him.


    Elliot and Evan followed closely, purposefully beaming at Zane as he greeted him with exaggerated enthusiasm, "Hello, Mr. Zane!"


    Seeing the face that looked so much like Tarquin''s sent a shiver down Zane''s spine.


    He had no intention of ying father to Tarquin''s kids.


    Once he and Elysia were together, they''d have children of their own.


    As for Tarquin''s kids, he''d make sure they were out of the picture.


    In Zane''s eyes, he was the only one worthy of Elysia bearing children for.


    No other man deserved it.


    Feigning warmth, Zane raised his hand to tousle Elliot and Evan''s hair, "Hey there."


    Elysia sat down across from Zane, and told Elliot and Evan, "I need to talk to Mr. Zane, why don''t you go y in the kids'' area? I''ll call you when we''re done." "Okay!" Elliot and Evan chirruped, dashing off toward the y area in the corner. Quite the little actor.


    Elysia exined, "These two just wouldn''t stay home, so I had to bring them along."


    "I totally get it. Kids that age are all about their moms."


    Elysia cut to the chase, "Any news about Winona?"


    Zane frowned slightly, releasing a gentle sigh.


    "Winona''s been kidnapped. The kidnappers reached out today demanding money. They threatened to sell her off to Burmalia if I don''t pay Worse, they said if they couldn''t sett her, they''d kill her."


    Elysia''s eyes widened, "Did you... did you call the cops?"


    "No, they warned me they''re watching every move I make. If I go to the police,


    they''ll kill her immediately."


    "Isn''t contacting me risky?"


    "No. What they fear is the police. As long as we don''t involve them, they won''t do anything drastic. Money is their endgame."


    Zane


    at Elysia with a falsely


    you


    SO


    have some peace of mind."


    you


    Elysia frowned deeply, "How can you be sure they really have Winona?"


    Zane pulled out his phone, locating a video and handing it to Elysia, "They


    sen


    s after calling.!!!to


    Winona in the video. Take a look."


    Elysia took Zane''s phone hurriedly.


    With just one nce, she covered her mouth, tears springing to her eyes.


    In the video, a young, pretty woman was shackled, wearing filthy clothes, curled up in a corner.


    When someone called her name, she looked at the camera, terrified!


    But she quickly covered her head with her hands, trembling.


    Her arms were covered in scars, evidence of abuse.


    Even though Winona''s face only appeared for a few seconds, Elysia recognized her instantly!


    It was Winona!


    What had happened to their Winona?!


    Elysia felt a deep ache in her heart.


    Zane handed her a tissue, "Don''t be upset. At least she''s alive. We still have a chance to see her again."


    Elysia ignored the tissue, instead standing abruptly and heading for the restroom. She feared she might lose control, might tear Zane''s deceitful mask right off his face!


    Zane got up to follow her, and Elliot and Evan quickly trailed behind.


    Meanwhile, Tarquin was glued to Elijah''sputer screen, watching all of this unfold, his brow furrowed in intense concentration.