Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
Xia Ruya was brought to a room in an abandoned building, which was dark, cold and reeked of a damp odor. The pungent stench of mold made her barf.
Her limbs were tied together and there was no way for her to move at all. She had a smelly sock stuffed into her mouth which could not tolerate the stench at all. Yet, she was completely helpless.
She sat on the uneven cement surface with her back pressed tightly against the stained wall. The pain from the injuries in her back that she had sustained from being beaten up constantly reminded her that she had to escape… but there was no way for her to.
She had already been held hostage at that place for three days and her bags, heels and other belongings had also been taken away from her. Her clothes were also tattered and torn. Apart from feeding her, taking her to relieve nature’s calls and occasionally venting their frustration on her, the bunch of men would leave her alone most of the time.
She reckoned that they were testing her patience and endurance.
The longer she was kidnapped, the more afraid she would be and she would soon break down in despair. Hence, it would be easier for them to get more money from her.
The four men who had abducted her sat around an old table and played a game of poker. Every now and then, they would pick at their noses and wipe their boogers onto the table. They would also dig their ears and wipe the disgusting ear wax onto themselves. They were extremely uncouth and continuously hurled vulgarities.
The thought of having to share the same room as those boorish men made her feel a strong urge to scream.
At this moment, the redhead’s mobile phone began to ring.
“You guys continue playing. I’ll go outside to answer this call,” said the redhead, who then stood up and walked out of the door.
Xia Ruya got a great shock and subconsciously closed her eyes, feigning to be asleep, for fear that they would hit her again after finding out that she was still awake. She had already had enough.
The redhead kicked Xia Ruya forcefully when he walked past her and rebuked. “Shameless bitch!”
Trying her best to bear with the pain, Xia Ruya waited until he walked away before heaving a huge sigh of relief. However, she felt extremely dejected.
At this moment, the sounds of the redhead speaking over the phone could be heard.
Her heart pounded and she pressed her ear against the wall in a bid to hear his conversation. The redhead’s voice was a little muffled and faint.
“I’ve already abducted her as you requested. What are you trying to do? You made us wait two days and you didn’t give me an answer at all.” The redhead sounded extremely exasperated and continuously hollered over the phone.
Previously, he was given 200,000 yuan to kidnap Xia Ruya, whom he heard was the adoptive daughter of the Wen Family and the illegitimate daughter of the Xia Family. However, she had been abandoned by the Wen Family and disowned by the Xia Family ever since the news of her colluding with Ning Shuqian to plot against the Wen Family was leaked.
The man was extremely enticed by the offer and he felt that there wouldn’t be other frills involved if he were to kidnap an orphan like her. Once they got the money, they would be able to flee and enjoy a life of luxury.
Hence, he roped his buddies in and abducted Xia Ruya.
However, he was careful enough not to tell them about his plan. He decided that it would be more than kind for him to brush them off with some money once the task was completed.
No one would be willing to share their money with someone else.
He was not that silly.
The person on the other end of the line continued, “That woman Xia Ruya is very cunning. I did that solely because I want to test her patience and make her cooperate with us. By then, it’ll be easier for us to get the money.”
The abduction of Xia Ruya was rather smooth, and their next step was to make Xia Ruya take out the money.
He had already done some investigation and found out that most of Xia Ruya’s assets comprised of real estate properties and jewelry, all of which she had entrusted to her lawyer and kept in the bank respectively. Hence, they were untouchable.
He then shifted his attention to her bonds, stocks, and cash in her bank!
After a rough estimation, he deduced that the assets totaled up to an incredible number.
The redhead said in a calmer tone, “We’ve been following your instructions for the past few days and beating her up as you asked. She’s on the verge of despair and your plan is going to work out soon.”
Pleased with his answer, the person on the other line said, “Don’t worry, once everything is done, you’ll be rewarded handsomely.”
The redhead shrieked. “Handsomely rewarded? How so? Don’t think you can brush me off with just 200,000 yuan. I’ve just committed a crime and am at risk of going to jail.”
Before he was approached, he had no idea how massive of a net worth Xia Ruya had. Now that he did, he began to get greedy. How could a mere 200,000 yuan satisfy his appetite?
“We’ve already discussed this and agreed on the price beforehand.” Not expecting the redhead to go back on his words, the person on the other end of the line cursed in his head, Haven’t you people done enough illegal acts? You people have committed fraud, abduction, human trafficking, and drug trafficking. Any of those would put you behind bars too!
The man in gray retorted haughtily. “I didn’t know how much money Xia Ruya has. Now that I do… I can just abduct her and take all of her assets.”
He began to get unreasonable.
The man on the other end of the line said, “Trust is important when it comes to making deals and exchanges. Aren’t you being a bit too much by going back on your word?”
The redhead said, “You’re wrong. We only made a verbal agreement and the terms can be changed at any one time. There’s no black and white agreement, anyway. Be thankful that I didn’t just disappear and do it on my own.”
He had never thought of cutting off contact with the man on the other end of the line because of how hefty of a sum it was. Besides, the identity of the other man was unknown and the redhead was afraid of offending him and getting into hot soup.
The man on the other end of the line remained silent, seemingly pondering over his words.
Knowing that he had made the right move, the redhead barked. “Just tell me whether you agree to it or not. I’m not someone you can fool.”
The man on the other end of the line took a deep breath and said angrily, “Alright, I’ll give you another 100,000 yuan once the task is completed.”
The redhead flew into a rage and barked. “100,000… are you just trying to brush me off!?! My buddies and I worked so hard to pave the way for you and yet, we’re not getting anything at all… Well, I don’t mind just falling out with you now. It won’t do us good, but it won’t do you any good either.”
Greatly taken aback, the man on the other end of the line answered, “300,000. No more. If you’re still not willing to do it, you may try doing it on your own. Since I can find you, I definitely know everything about you people. Everything that you’ve done in the past can put you behind bars. Also, I may be weak now, but I can still deal with you people effortlessly.”
That was the redhead’s Achilles’ heel. Although he felt indignant, he had no choice but to give in. “Fine, 500,000 it is then. After everything is done, you shall transfer the other 400,000 to me.”
Previously, they had already paid him 100,000 yuan as a deposit.
Hence, they reached a consensus and worked together.
However, they did not notice that Xia Ruya was trembling uncontrollably.
