Chapter 7
Caitlin sat in the interrogation room, completely helpless.
No matter how many times she tried to explain, no one listened. In the end, they threw her into a detention center to wait things out.
The moment she walked into the shared dorm, all eyes locked onto her.
woman with short hair and a toothpick between her lips said to her, “Hey, newbie. Go greet our leader.”
The so–called leader was sitting on one of the beds, buzz cut and all, staring Caitlin down with a sharp, hostile glare.
Before Caitlin could even say a word, that short–haired woman kicked her knee, forcing her to the ground.
Then, she spat at Caitlin, “Can’t you move faster? Do you want to die?”
That leader got up, yanked Caitlin’s hair, and said hoarsely, “Are you the one who’s messing with my friend’s guy? You’re pretty, though.”
Hearing that, Caitlin figured it out.
She gritted her teeth and said through the pain, “Eleanor told you that? Do you know that she’s the third party?”
A slap landed hard across her face.
“I already know that. But Eleanor said the one who isn’t loved is the real third party. Otherwise, why would Mr. Jackson let you end up here to learn your lesson?”
Chapter 7
Caitlin’s mind froze.
So that was what Xander wanted?
She thought she was numb by now, but the tears she’d been holding back. all day finally broke loose.
Before she could even catch her breath, that leader patted her cheek. “You’ve got three days. Time to learn how things work around here.”
With that, Caitlin was dragged away.
On the first day, they filled her food with sand and stones and forced her to eat it all.
The next day, they hung her up by the iron bed and used her as a punching bag, kicking and hitting her like she was nothing.
On the third day, they stripped her and touched her roughly.
Those three days felt like living in a nightmare.
When she finally got out on bail, she was completely spaced out.
She didn’t even realize she got into the wrong car. The man claiming to be Xander’s lawyer wasn’t one at all.
He worked for Xander’s partner.
Xander had set a trap, cornering his business partner until his partner was forced to file for bankruptcy and drop the appeal.
Pushed to the edge, that partner snapped.
He kidnapped Caitlin and Eleanor at the same time.
The ride felt endless before the car finally stopped. They were dragged
06.25
Chapter 7
out and taken to an old, run–down dock.
Caitlin spotted the man right away.
“Mr. Castillo?!” Her heart sank, and she tried to persuade him. “Please don’t do this. Let’s talk. We can work something out.”
Kenneth Castillo sneered, his eyes full of hatred. “Talk? If talking worked, Xander wouldn’t have crushed me like he did.
“You guys leaked the intel first, then pushed me to the edge. If I’m going down, you’re all going with me!”
Then, he grabbed his phone and called Xander.
“Xander, I’ve got both of your women right here. You’ve got one hour to show up with 15 million in cash. If you’re late, I’ll set one on fire and toss the other into the sea.”
“You’re insane!”
There was a pause, then Xander’s cold voice came through the line. “If either of them gets hurt, I’ll make sure you regret it for the rest of your life.”
Kenneth laughed darkly. “You don’t scare me, Jackson. The clock is ticking. You’ve only got one hour.”
After hanging up, he tied both women up.
Caitlin was suspended over the sea, while Eleanor was on land, surrounded by gasoline.
Before the hour was up, Xander showed up.
He glanced between the two women, then focused on Kenneth. “Let them go,” he demanded.
Chapter 7
Kenneth smirked. “Things have changed, Mr. Jackson. You have to listen to me. Where’s the money?”
As he spoke, he tightened his grip around Eleanor’s neck.
Xander didn’t dare to argue and slid a black case toward him.
“There’s 15 million. Now let them go.”
Kenneth opened the box, counted the cash, and smiled sinisterly. “Too bad. I changed my mind. Now you can only pick one. One of them must die.”
0625
Chapter
