Chapter 64
The sudden disappearance of women had the entire city abuzz, particularly after bloggers exposed the murky world of cyber scams. This dark industry, usually hidden, was now laid bare.
Chase didn't need a deep dive to understand the danger any woman caught in that web faced. He contacted prominent figures from the local business scene. The Reyes family, known for handling multi-million, if not billion-dollar projects, were usually inaccessible to someone like Chase. Yet, they were eager to meet him.
Several female PR representatives were present. Chase sat in a booth, cigarette in hand, looking worn and jaded. I’d never seen this side of him before. Initially, I desperately hoped he would find my body, bringing peace and closure, perhaps even a chance to vanish from this world.
But now, I was in no hurry. Watching from afar, I realized that as long as he remained unaware of my death, he would be trapped in this endless search. His eating and sleeping habits were erratic; he tossed and turned nightly—perhaps karma.
From my vantage point, I observed the spectacle. The group's leader, ever sleazy, couldn't keep his hands off the young women.
“Mr. Reyes, we understand you wish to collaborate. What makes us worthy of partnering with the Reyes Corporation?”
“Don’t sell yourselves short. He wouldn’t be here without a serious problem. Tell us what you need, Mr. Reyes, and we’ll do our best.”
Chase sat up, extinguishing his cigarette. His voice was rough. “I need your help finding someone. She vanished at the start of the month, and I fear she was taken by traffickers.”
The men, shrewd as they were, seemed hesitant to engage in such a risky situation. Everyone knew the heads of these international scam rings had local roots and powerful connections.
“Mr. Reyes, this is serious. Why not go to the police?”
Chase swirled the ice in his whiskey. “If the police were effective, would there be so many alerts now? What about those already taken? By the time they find them, it could be too late.”
I knew why he avoided the police—he’d missed his chance. He and the Kennedy family had pressured the police to back off. How could someone as proud as him admit he was wrong?
Chase downed his drink, slamming the glass. “I know you have connections with those scam bosses overseas. I’m asking for a personal favor. Bring her back, and the Reyes family owes you a significant debt. Name your price.”
That was a considerable offer. A favor from the Reyes family could catapult their businesses.
Gregory carefully asked, “Mr. Reyes, who is this woman to you?”
“She’s my…” Chase paused, then changed tack. “She’s my cousin.”
I leaned back, chuckling silently. Since my death, he’d been sinking lower and lower in my estimation. If I had been caught by scammers, my reputation would have been ruined. How could the Reyes family accept a tarnished woman as his wife, even if I were found alive? Chase would still divorce me.