Ste asked, "So, when Mr. Moore demanded the ransom, it was just a pretense?"


    Lind replied, "It''s both a pretense and the truth. I do want the money. Think about it-if I get my revenge and walk away with a fortune, isn''t that the best of both worlds?"


    He smiled at Ste. "I''ve kidnapped Haynes''s son and the woman he''s never gotten over. With a man like Haynes, do you really think he''ll let me off so easily? I might as well take my chances. One way or another, I can''t lose."


    This man was terrifyingly clear-headed. There are brutes you can overpower, but someone like this educated, calcting is far more dangerous.


    Ste fell silent for a few seconds before asking, "What exactly do you want to do?"


    The kidnapper answered slowly, as if savoring the idea, "I want Haynes to choose -between his son and his first love. I''m not a man of many virtues, but I always keep my word. Whoever he picks, I''ll let go."


    He paused, studying Ste. "Do you know why I''m doing this?"


    Not wanting to provoke him, Ste yed along. "Why?"


    A faint, mocking smile curved Lind''s lips. "Both of them mean the world to him. No matter which one he chooses, the other will haunt him. He''ll be consumed by regret-maybe even start to resent the one he saved. People are like that, you know. We always want what we can''t have. The one you lose will always seem more precious."


    Ste nodded thoughtfully. "You have a point. But honestly, this whole ''choose one'' game seems pointless."


    Lind raised an eyebrow. "Oh? And why''s that?"


    "Keen is Haynes''s own flesh and blood-the future heir to the O''Brien Group. He''s only five years old. No matter how much he dotes on Rachel, I doubt she could ever outweigh his own son."


    Lind considered this for a moment, eyes narrowed in thought. He nodded. "Fair enough."


    Ste went on, "If you really want Haynes to face an impossible


    choice, I can help you. Let Keen go and take me as your hostage. instead. I''m Keen''s mother. If Haynes picks Rachel over me, Keen will never forgive him. When he grows up, he might even turn against his own father. A war


    between father and son-that''s a far


    more interesting tragedy than what


    you''re nning, wouldn''t you say?"


    Lind looked at her with new interest. "They say when a woman is ruthless, men


    don''t stand a chance. You, my dear, are cold-blooded."


    He looked her up and down. "But what if he chooses you? Then you all get a happy ending, don''t you?"


    Ste smiled faintly. "If that happens, I''ll thank you for getting rid of my rival. You''re smart-you must know my rtionship with Haynes is far from good. He divorced me for Rachel. If he really does choose me, consider the ransom money my payment for Rachel''s life I''ll make sure Haynes doesn''te after you."


    She paused, then added, "You''re only set on mutual destruction because you assume Haynes will never let you go after this. But if I help you, you get your money and your freedom. Isn''t that a better deal?”


    Lind fell silent, clearly wavering. Who wouldn''t be tempted by such a fortune? After a few seconds, he looked her in the eye. "You''re sure you can get me out?" Ste nodded. "Release Keen, and I''ll vouch for you. But if you kill the O''Brien Group''s heir, Haynes will never stop hunting you. There won''t be a ce in the world where you can hide."