<h4>Chapter 499: The Decision</h4><subtxt> Beneath the video was a chilling message:


    "October 22nd. If you fail to show up at the location I’ve specified, your sweet little angel will be the next child to permanently disappear. Don’t test my patience. I imagine if you saw the bloody scene, you’d be utterly devastated. In truth, I’d quite enjoy seeing that unfold..."


    E’s hands trembled slightly, as if an invisible force was squeezing the air out of her lungs, making it hard for her to breathe.


    Would that person really harm Elias? She couldn’t risk gambling on that.


    Kidnappers have always been ruthless; no one would expect kindness from such people. E wasn’t about to stake her son’s life in a wager against this mysterious man.


    But if she went, what if she fell right into their trap? Yet, the fact that he had sent a message to her indicated that he knew Elias’s whereabouts.


    No clue could be ignored.


    It was October 21st. She had just one day left to decide.


    During lunch, E overheard from the conversation that Eric and his team had run out of leads.


    Mason was working his usual schedule in Country W, showing no signs of abnormal behavior.


    The two other suspects under investigation had also turned up nothing. Not a single usable lead remained.


    E’s heart sank. Whoever had taken Elias had done so with such precision and thoroughness. Even the boat they used to escape had been hijacked. The ownerter revealed that while they were at sea, a helicopter had taken the men and Elias away.


    Everything had happened so quickly, yet with such wless execution. It was a masterful n, leaving behind no traces.


    As for the driver who had rammed Eric’s car, he was still hospitalized. Lucas believed that even if the driver admitted to deliberately causing the crash, he would likely have little valuable information.


    Theck of leads meant the search was bing increasingly difficult, with no clear direction to pursue.


    Eric’s face was dark with frustration. After hastily eating a few bites, he joined John and the others to analyze any possible ws in the case.


    Lucas, worried about E’s mental state, stayed by her side and chatted with her about Isabe, trying to lighten her mood.


    But the worry in E’s eyes never faded. Her resolve, however, was firm as she looked at Lucas. "Dad, don’t worry about me. I’m fine... I’ll wait for Elias toe back."


    Lucas’s expression dimmed, his voiceced with guilt. "Even if I’m the most powerful man in Country W, what’s the use? I couldn’t even protect my grandson."


    E sighed, her tone tinged with helplessness. "Dad, this isn’t your fault. No one can prevent such idents—not even the president."


    Lucas let out a bitter chuckle, his frustration evident. "If they were still in Country W, we’d have set up an imprable by now. But it’s been over a day and a night, and we still don’t have anything useful."


    E paused. Elias couldn’t possibly be in Country W. From the context, the perpetrators had ties to an ind—likely one of Europe’s many small, privately-owned inds.


    It made sense that Lucas’s men couldn’t locate Elias. Should she share this critical piece of information with Lucas and Eric?


    No... She couldn’t.


    If the information leaked, that man would surely harm Elias. If Elias lost his life because of her, she would never forgive herself.


    Sweat dampened E’s palms.


    Warm and mmy, her hands trembled as she lowered her gaze, concealing the turmoil and hesitation in her eyes.


    If she decided to go, the danger would be immense. But she needed to prepare herself—and to let Eric and Lucas know where she was headed, just in case.


    E pressed her lips together. She hadn’t touched herptop in days. Tonight... she would need to make a detailed n.


    Although she would feel guilty for leaving little Dorian behind, how could she stand by and do nothing to save someone in need?


    Little Dorian had Eric to rely on, but little Elias... he had no one by his side.


    "Mommy! When is big brothering home? He’s been ying for so long!" Little Dorian ran over, clutching his new toy—a talking duck. His big, expectant eyes sparkled with curiosity.


    E hesitated, her heart aching with bitterness. Thinking about her decision made her eyes sting with unshed tears. Leaving Dorian behind wasn’t fair to him, but she had no choice.


    "Because your uncle’s ce is so much fun, he doesn’t want to leave," Lucas chimed in with a smile, quickly pulling little Dorian closer. "Be good, Dorian. Your big brother will be back in a few days, okay?"


    Dorian nodded, nibbling on the lollipop Amelia had given him, before turning to E. "Mommy, why are there so many uncles at our house?"


    E sniffed, pulling her youngest son into a gentle hug and kissing his forehead. "Dorian, it’s because our home is peaceful, and the air is so fresh. That’s why they’re here to have meetings with Daddy."


    Dorian blinked his big, bright eyes and let out an understanding "Oh." Then, brimming with excitement, he continued eating and ying. Lucas stayed by his side, making sure he finished his lollipop before running off to y.


    Watching Lucas and Dorian having so much fun together, E secretly exhaled a sigh of relief. Perhaps, even in her absence, her little boy wouldn’t feel too sad.


    After all, he was still so young and such a foodie. As long as there was good food, he could be easily entertained.


    If everything went well, she would return with Elias, and they could resume their happy life together.


    "Grandpa,e catch me! Hahaha... Grandpa, you can’t catch me!"


    "Grandpa’s old and tired. Dorian, slow down and wait for me!"


    "No way! Grandpa, you’re being sneaky! I know you’re tricking me!"


    Dorian’sughter echoed through the air, and then he turned to E. "Mommy,e y with me too! My duck can walk! Hurry!"


    E put her phone down. This might be thest time she could y with her son.


    She joined in the game, and Dorian was thrilled to have his mom by his side. His happiness was infectious.


    E took countless photos with him, hoping they wouldn’t be their final memories together.


    That night, Eric didn’t return to the room until past ten. When he walked in, he found E staring nkly at herptop.


    "What’s wrong? Still not asleep?"


    E snapped out of her daze, a hint of unease flickering across her face. She closed theptop and gave him a faint smile. "Yeah, I haven’t slept yet."


    How could she sleep with so much going on? For the past two nights, both she and Eric had barely closed their eyes, their minds constantly alert.


    Eric sat down beside her, the bed dipping slightly under his weight. His cool hand reached for hers, and his gentle expression was tinged with pain.


    He leaned in and ced a soft kiss on her tightly pressed lips. "Want to take a bath together?"


    E shook her head. "I already did. See? I’m in my pajamas."


    Eric studied her face, noticing how calm she seemed. The anxious worry that once lingered between her brows hadpletely disappeared.</subtxt>