Chapter 1697

"Tell us what?!" Maria demanded, refusing to yield.

"Why should she? Just because you say so? Do you have any evidence? If my daughter kidnapped your son, show us the evidence!"

Elijah snorted coldly. "My son, Austin Fike, is the best evidence! He's recovering from what happened. How can his testimony be false? I will not let this slide if you don't hand Rhea over today. It'd be useless even if you try to get Secretary Rollins to help! Nothing will work!"

Before arriving, Elijah had prepared thoroughly. He reported the case to the police and informed higher-ups, fearing Cameron’s influence. Although Cameron generally enjoyed a good reputation, a past incident involving a vaccine development project had cast doubt on him. Unfamiliar with Cameron, Elijah had proceeded cautiously. Hearing Elijah mention Fabian's supposed advantage, he realized the situation was more complex than it initially appeared. The other party had likely conducted their own investigation before acting so boldly.

"Calm down," Fabian said calmly. "We're not enemies until we clarify this. You trust your son, and I trust my daughter. Why not let them meet to discuss what happened?" He glanced sideways at his wife, signaling her. Maria understood. She needed to warn Rhea, preparing her for whatever the Fikes might do.

"All right! Call Rhea out now!" Elijah had already sent men to surveil Rhea. Upon receiving confirmation of her arrival home, he surrounded the house before knocking. He felt confident in securing Rhea; he would search the house thoroughly if her parents refused to cooperate. He wasn't worried about her escaping.

Fabian smiled. "She's not home. That child is obsessed with work and hasn't been home for days. If you don't believe me, ask my wife…" Maria, displeased by the lie, complied after Fabian's wink. "That's right. Ree hasn't been home for days. She's obsessed with her work and experiments. She spends her days in the laboratory; she doesn't even have time to go to the mall."

"How could she kidnap your son? Besides, what's the point? We're not short of money, so there's no need for ransom."

"Ask that vicious daughter of yours!" Michelle spat, having witnessed her son's condition. The signs of torture were evident; his vibrant spirit was gone, leaving an empty shell. She believed Austin's claim, convinced Rhea was responsible, possibly mentally unstable.

"Enough talking. Hand Ms. Moore over!" The Fikes' impatience grew; they wanted to forcibly remove and interrogate Rhea.

"I told you, Ree isn't home," Fabian explained patiently. However, Elijah's cold smile betrayed the lie. "Mr. Moore, there's no use lying. My men saw your daughter return; we came immediately. How can you say she's not home? Do you take us for fools?"

"What?! How could I not know if my daughter is home? Your men must be hallucinating!" Fabian exclaimed in disbelief.