There was no single question and hesitation.Just a clear response.
“Instructions received.We will keep in contact.Rescue teams are on their way.”
The call ended.Slowly,I pushed myself up,leaning on the wall.
Moments later,my phone rang again.It was my father.I picked up the phone,but before I could say anything,his low,dangerous voice asked one word,"Location?"
I told him about the mall and the security room.
"Ten minutes,"he said and hung up without another word.
I let out a shaky laugh.
Ten minutes.That was all he needed to mobilize the nearest team.
And every second of those ten minutes felt like a year.
I sat in the cold chair in the security room,staring at the frozen screen,my heart pounding.
How terrified must Emma have been?Was she calling for me?
Ethan Lorrimer,how could he do this?
When the ten minutes were up,the security room door opened.Two men in black suits walked in.They looked serious and gave a small bow.
“Miss,the car is ready.Sir ordered everything to be done as you requested.”
I stood,my legs weak but my eyes sharp.“Take me to Ethan and Natalie.Now.”
“Right away.”
In the car,I closed my eyes.My mind was a storm.I saw Emma smiling and calling me“Mom,”then crying and struggling on the screen.I could still hear Natalie’s cruel voice.I remembered Ethan’s cold,indifferent face.
The pain in my chest was so sharp I could hardly breathe.
The car stopped in front of an upscale apartment building.I recognized this place.Ethan had bought it long ago as an investment.
Back then,I thought nothing of it.Now I got it.This was where he hid his mistress.
Two bodyguards escorted me upstairs to the top floor.
From inside,I heard faint music and a woman’s laughter.I drew a deep breath and kicked the door hard.
A loud bang echoed.The door didn’t open,but the noise inside stopped at once.
“Who’s there?”Ethan’s impatient voice came from inside.
I said nothing,but I kicked once again.
One guard signaled,stepped forward and with a strong kick,the lock broke.The door was violently kicked open.
The scene inside made my blood boil.
Ethan stood in a robe,his hair still wet from a shower.Natalie clung to him in a thin silk slip,holding a glass of wine.
Women’s underwear was scattered across the floor.The air reeked of their scent.
By the sofa lay a brand-new orange designer handbag still in its box.Condoms and birth-control items were ripped open and tossed around.