Chapter 318:

Mabel's eyes welled with tears, and she trembled. The man glanced at her and removed the gag. "What is it you want to say? Let's hear it," he prompted.

Mabel cried out, "Why is my ransom five million dollars, and hers only one million? Isn't Elyse your actual target? Why kidnap me, too? Aren't we in the same boat? Why?"

Mabel broke down. The man found her tears amusing. He stroked his chin, observing her for a moment. Mabel's tears quickly bored him, and he shifted his attention to the quiet Elyse.

He asked, "Any ideas why I did this?"

Elyse remained calm, quickly assessing the situation. As Mabel pointed out, the kidnappers specifically targeted her, indicating they wouldn't release her easily. But why the ransom scheme? And why the differing amounts?

Though Elyse was puzzled, the man didn't give her time to think. He removed her gag and demanded an answer.

Biting her lip, Elyse hesitated before saying uncertainly, "Are you planning to release one of us?"

Before the man could respond, Mabel erupted. "You're wasting your breath. They plan to release you because you're only worth a million, while I'm valued at five million. Dad loves money so much, he'll definitely pay for you."

Mabel felt aggrieved. "What did I do to deserve this? Why was I kidnapped, too?"

Elyse's lips quivered. She doubted the man intended to release her.

The man clutched his stomach, laughing. Then, turning to Elyse, he asked, "So, who do you think I intend to release?"

After a pause, Elyse replied, "It's not for me to decide."

The man nodded. "That's correct." He snapped his fingers, and Elyse and Mabel were escorted back to where they had been tied up.

Observing the tearful Mabel, Elyse felt a pang of sadness. She hadn't been entirely truthful. She believed Mabel would be released. After all, Lanny and Glenda had never truly cared for her.

Secretly, she hoped Jayden would learn about the kidnappers' conversation with Glenda. If she could stall for time, Jayden would rescue her.

As these thoughts circulated, Elyse gradually composed herself. When first kidnapped, she'd considered escape plans but abandoned them. If the kidnappers had wanted to kill her, she wouldn't have survived this long.

Considering Mabel's comments, Elyse concluded the kidnappers had a different agenda. She wouldn't be killed immediately. She needed to observe their next move. Any rash action could provoke them.

Realizing the kidnappers likely wouldn't act soon, she decided to conserve her energy. She closed her tired eyes and fell asleep.

On the second night, Lanny and Glenda drove to Templefail Harbor. They'd quickly gathered five million dollars and arrived without informing anyone.

They stopped at a deserted, long-abandoned dock with small bungalows and run-down warehouses.

Lanny and Glenda had been waiting for half an hour when the lights flickered on, startling them into screaming.

A man appeared in the distance. He said enthusiastically, "You two are quite punctual, and I'm pleased you haven't told anyone. I believe you've been anxiously waiting to see your daughters. Let's not keep you waiting any longer."

He clapped his hands, and two muscular men appeared, each seizing a girl. Elyse and Mabel had sacks over their heads.

Elyse limped forward; Mabel hopped on one foot, sobbing. Despite her hoarse voice, she continued to cry.

The man asked the quivering Glenda and Lanny, "So, which of these two girls do you choose?"

Glenda lifted the suitcase. "We brought five million dollars. We're here for Mabel."

"Mabel! I'm here! Mom! Help me! My leg hurts!" Mabel screamed hysterically.

Elyse remained silent, seemingly indifferent.

The man was surprised. "Are you certain? This is a five-million-dollar price, not one million. That's a four-million-dollar difference."

Without wavering, Glenda exclaimed, "Mabel! I choose Mabel. She's my daughter. I don't want the other one."

...