Chapter 11A15 Million Bounty
The Kildenn River ranacross the entire city of Lasthelm and connectedwith the mountains on the outskirts of Bownstadt.
The mountains of Bownstadthadyet to be developed.
Every year, adventure–seeking hikers met their fate, and the area wasthusofficially designated as an uninhabitable zone. Trespasserswere forbidden.
Lenoracouldn’tswim, yet the police found pieces of her clothing in the
river.
It was not a good sign.
Purchase completed
Kidnapping, extortion, human trafficking, and rape… one horrifying thought after another flooded Zavier’s mind, making him shiver with dread. He dared not think any further.
As long as the kidnappers werewilling to release Lenora, Zavierhadmore than enough money.
Zavierstumbled from his office to the underground parking lot. After getting into his car, he floored the gas pedal and sped to thescene.
At thatmoment, the area where Lenora’s clothing was discovered had already been cordoned off by the police.
Several officers were gathered at the riverbank, searching and retrieving, trying to find more evidence.
The captain of the criminal police team held an evidence bag and quietly
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A Million Bounty
conversed with other officers.
Zavierimmediately recognized that the shredded fabric inside the evidence bag was from theknitted dress that Lenora had worn for her birthday.
“Nora!” Zavierhowledin despairas he jumped over the police line and rushed into the dense forest. He wasdetermined to find Lenora.
“Mr. Velez, please calm down!”
“The forest is very dangerous!Please do not run off.”
“Stop him!” The captainordered.
Two officers immediately moved to intercept Zavier, each grabbing one of his arms to restrain him.
The captainput away the evidence bag and looked at the desperateman in front of him with a complicated gaze.
It was said that the CEO of the Velez Group loved his wife dearly. It was certainly true.
Zaviercould not break free from the police. His bloodshot eyes were fixed on the Kildenn River ahead. He wishedhe had had the superpowerto see through the murkyandgreenish water.
Because of the heavy rainfall last night, thewater level had risen significantly.
The current was swift and violent.
Anyone who couldn’tswim had little chance to surviveif they fell into the
water.
11510
TULIS Million Bounty
“My wife cannot swim, and there’s no way she would have gone to the river alone. She must have been kidnapped. Officers,please, you have to find her!” Zavier’s voice was hoarse and dry, filled with sorrow. For the first time, he spoke with such desperation.
Zavier, who had always been proud and upright,pleaded the police officers in despair.
He looked awfully desperate.
“Mr. Velez, don’t worry,” the captain was moved by Zavier’s emotional plea. “We will do everything we can to findher. However…”
He turned and glanced at the vast river, where the powerful waves were stirring up the silt from the riverbed.
He had wanted toprepare Zavier for the worst. Yet he then changed his mind and comforted him instead.
“However, Mr. Velez, you must cooperate with our search. Please don’t act on your own like you did today.
“Before Ms. Brandt returns, please take care of yourself.”
“Okay.” Zaviernodded, his eyes closing in sorrow.
He was so afraid.
He was afraidthat Lenorawould never return to his side.
If time could go back, he would cherish Lenoraand never make the same mistake again.
In Fizzoria.
At the Finley’sManor.
20 24%
TEST
Danewalked up to Lenora, who was on the swing, and handed her at tablet.
“As you requested, we’ve already staged your disappearance in the uninhabited zone betweenthose two cities.”
He originally planned to cancel her residency and all her accountsafter she left for abroad, but Lenora insisted on creating a fake death scene to give those who knew her a sense ofclosure.
Lenoraraised an eyebrow as she took the tablet.
The number one trending topic in the country was“The CEO’s wife of the Velez Group mysteriously disappears; Zavieroffers a 15 million bounty to find her!”
Seeing Zavier’s news again, Lenora thought she would feel a heartache or regret.
Unexpectedly, there was nothing more than just a tremor in her heart. She felt nothing, even wanting to laugh.
Zavierhad completely broken her heart. Her heart was dead.
15 million. He really didhave money!
When she was by his side, he didn’t cherish her, running off to have affairs and seek excitement.
Now that she was gone, who was he putting on this act of deep affection for?
“I understand.” Lenorareturned the tablet to Dane, her tone indifferent. “The old Lenorais dead. The one who is alive now is Liliana Finley.”
“That’sa Finley. You’re not alone anymore. You have usby your side.”
Danenodded reassuringly.
He had been worried that Lenorawouldn’t be able to let go of her ties to her homeland, but now, it seemed he didn’t have to.
“Grandfather asked you to come have lunch. Let’s go.”
“Okay.” Lenoraresponded softly and followed Daneback to the room.
The table was already set for lunch, with a medium–rare steak paired with roasted bread, escargot, cheese sauce, and various dishes.
There were sets of knives and forks, too.
The others had already seated, and Lenoracasually glanced around, noticing that only Edward was missing.
Seemingly reading her mind, Cecilia smiled and explained, “Edward bullied you, so he was punished and can’t eat lunch. He has to write a self–reflection.”
So that was it.
Lenoranodded, sat down in her seat, and looked at the various utensils in front of her.
What Ceciliadidwouldn’t improve her relationship with Edward. It might even make Edward dislike her more.
Yet Lenoradidn’t intend to stop her. She had no fondness for this heryounger brother who shared the same characteristics as Melany.
On the opposite side, Biancathought Lenorawas struggling with the utensils. With a trace of disdain in her eyes,shesaid, “Lenora, let me teach you how to use the utensils. It’s quite simple.”
H
The escargot for lunch was something Biancahad specifically requested from the kitchen.
Since beginners found it difficult to eat escargot with utensils, it would definitely embarrass Lenora.
Since Lenorahad dared to mock her origins earlier, she would certainly fight back.
“See, just like this.” Biancaskillfully used the knife and fork to extract the escargot meat and placed it in her mouth. She then savoredit slowly.
“Liliana, it’s your turn.”
Everyone’s gaze, whether intentional or not, fell on Lenora.
Lenoraremained seated, not moving.
She was truly a bumpkin.
Bianca smiled smugly. “Do you want me to get you some Teblarian tableware?”
“Liliana, let me help you.” Daneintervened to ease the situation.
Unexpectedly, the next moment, Lenoraelegantly picked up the utensils, effortlessly extracted the escargot meat, and disdainfully placed it on her plate.
“Thank you, Dane. I just find the escargot a bit too pungent. I don’t like it, so I didn’t want to eat it.”
Implicitly, she was saying that she knew how to use utensils, but the dish was so unappetizing.
Bianca’s face darkened.
Chander U15 Million Bounty
11
She hadn’t expected Lenorato use utensils so gracefully, which made her earlier good intentions seem somewhat foolish.
But a bumpkin wasstill a bumpkin.
Knowing how to use a knife and fork didn’t equal being able to appreciate thecuisine!
She would have more chances to embarrass her!
