"Poppy?" Soren was taken aback, then let out a coldugh. "What kind of joke is this? Poppy is a kind person; she would never do something like that. Besides, our engagement is just days away. She has no reason to harm Evangeline."


    Even as he said the words, the image of Poppy kicking the small dog at the mall, her expression a mixture of irritation and disgust, shed through his mind. For the first time, a seed of doubt was nted.


    "We had a listening device in Evangeline''s bag," the bodyguard added. "We heard it clearly, there''s no mistake. The men she hired are currently in police custody. You can go and question them yourself..."


    "No need to ask. It''s obviously one of Evangeline''s tricks."


    Before Soren could respond, Flora stormed into the room. She rushed to his side and grabbed his arm. "Soren, Poppy''s life is in danger! Why are you so concerned with Evangeline right now? You need to find Poppy!"


    "This has to be Evangeline''s doing. She''s so in love with you, she probably went crazy with jealousy and kidnapped Poppy."


    Flora was frantic, utterly convinced of Evangeline''s guilt. No one in Serenity City would dare to cross the Fawkes family no one except Evangeline, who was arrogant enough to believe Soren would never touch her.


    Soren was about to speak when his phone rang. The caller ID was a randomly generated virtual number.


    "It must be Poppy''s kidnappers!" Flora eximed.


    Soren''s expression darkened. He answered the call without a word. A deep, electronically altered male voice came through the speaker.


    "Tomorrow at one p.m., Soren Fawkes will bring thirty million in cash to the central za. Come alone. No police, no backup. Or we kill the hostage immediately."


    Flora leaned in close. "Evangeline, stop hiding! I know it''s you! Where is Poppy? Bring her back now!"


    But there was no response. The recorded message simply yed again from the beginning.


    "It''s a recording," Soren said, ending the call.


    Flora, furious, kicked a nearby table leg. Seeing Soren''s grim silence and the serious look in his eyes, she paused. "Soren, you''re not actually falling for her trap, are you? content


    He looked at her. "It wasn''t Evangeline," he stated tly.


    "Why?"


    "I can''t think of a motive for her to do this."


    He didn''t tell Etora about his recent interactions with Evangeline. If Evangeline truly loved him enough to resort to such extreme measures, she would havepromised with him earlier. There was no need for such a convoluted plot. More importantly, his gut told him it wasn''t her. In fact, he was sure Evangeline was in real danger too.


    "Soren, if you think like that, you''re ying right into her hands..."


    Flora tried to argue, but Soren raised a hand to stop her. "The target is me. Stay out of this, and don''t tell anyone what''s happened."


    Flora looked worried. "Soren, are you really nning to go alone tomorrow?"


    He nodded. "Go home. I''ll have someone notify you if there''s any news."


    Flora felt helpless. But she knew that regardless of whether the kidnapper was Evangeline, Poppy was in their hands, and her brother was at a disadvantage. Alright, S?ren careful," she said. "And remember, your engagement to Poppy is so close..."


    Soren cut her off. "Don''t worry. I''ll bring her back."