Chapter 369: Chapter 419

Chapter 419 Meanwhile...

The moment Lennon received a call from Fiona and learned that Mariela was missing, his first thought was Nikolas.

Since returning to America, Nikolas had been keeping a low profile, using forged identity documents and phone numbers registered under someone else’s name.

Lennon had no way to contact Nikolas. He could only wait for Nikolas to reach out first.

But he couldn’t wait, not even for a second.

The thought of Mariela being in danger made Lennon’s vision blur. A dull ache spread through his chest, his breathing turning labored.

Forcing himself to stay calm, he pulled out his phone and made a call.

“I need to see Bruce.”

As soon as the call ended, an unfamiliar number appeared on his screen.

A gut feeling told him it was Nikolas. Lennon answered immediately.

“Good evening.” The man on the phone spoke with a lazy drawl, amusement lacing his tone as he greeted Lennon with a teasing, “Brother.”

Lennon’s heart clenched.

“Did you kidnap Marie?”

Nikolas chuckled, “Marie.”

After a brief, deliberate pause, he continued in a languid tone, “Looks like I got the right person. You still love her, after all.”

Lennon’s voice turned sharp.“If you have a problem, take it on me. Don’t touch Marie!”

Nikolas let out a light laugh.

“Relax. The whole point of taking her was to get to you.”

“Where are you?” Lennon pressed.

Nikolas gave him an address, and then added, “Tomorrow morning at eight. Come alone. If you call the police, she will disappear from this world.”

The next day...

In a half–finished building on the outskirts of a border state.

It was supposed to be an entertainment complex, but when the developer’s funds ran dry, the project was abandoned, leaving behind a notorious ruin.

It became well–known since many film crews used the site for shooting scenes.

After being taken last night, Mariela had been transported in a car for about half an hour before it stopped in an open lot.

Her mouth had been gagged, and a black hood covered her head.

Then, she felt herself being led up a few steps.

A sudden roar of rotor blades split the air. Mariela realized she was being loaded onto a helicopter.

She had no idea how long they flew.

She couldn’t see anything and didn’t know where she was.

When the helicopter finally landed, she was shoved into another car.

She could feel that vehicle sped down the road, jerking sharply around corners. If not for the seatbelt, she would have been thrown off her seat.