Chapter 219
On the third day, Caden and Yolanda departed for Averibon to attend a scientific conference. A group of paparazzi photographed them together in the airport cafeteria; the images quickly went viral, portraying them as the perfect couple.
Alicia saw the news and clicked on a photo. Caden, amidst snowy winter streets, wore a black coat; his gold-framed glasses lent him an air of sophistication. Around his neck was the familiar scarf. She paused, momentarily stunned. He was still wearing the scarf she had given him. Why? He didn't understand her reasons, but chose not to dwell on them. While together, she'd often found him exasperating, but now, apart, anything connected to him evoked unexpected emotions. She felt profoundly affected. Shaking off these thoughts, she returned to her work, determined to distract herself.
Time passed quickly, but Monica remained absent. Half an hour earlier, Alicia had tried calling Monica, but she hadn't answered. Assuming Monica was exhausted, Alicia hadn't called again; instead, she booked a table at Monica's favorite restaurant. She dialed Monica's number again. After a long wait, someone answered. Alicia sighed in relief. "Monica, are you awake?" she asked.
An unfamiliar voice replied, "He's still unconscious. It may take days."
The disturbing tone alerted Alicia. Holding her breath, she asked, "Who are you?"
The person laughed. "Who I am is irrelevant. What matters is whether you want to save your close friend."
Alicia remained calm, hoping Monica's phone had been stolen and this was a malicious scam. Then, as the call ended, a photograph arrived showing Monica unconscious, her face pale, eyes partially open, revealing bloodshot veins. She appeared to be asleep, yet signs of a desperate struggle were evident. A deep fear filled Alicia. Was Monica injured? What had happened?
Alicia couldn't remain inactive. She considered calling the police, but then received another message: "I have hacked your phone. If you contact the authorities, I will cut off one of his hands immediately."
Alicia realized she couldn't act impulsively. Another message appeared, providing an address and demanding she come alone. Before she could process this, a video arrived. In it, Monica, now conscious, hung suspended in the air above a cage of snarling, salivating dogs. Monica's terrified screams echoed. The camera panned to a man's cruel, sinister smile. "Did you get the address I sent you? I'll expect you before dark, or your friend will be the dogs' dinner."
Alicia stared, ghostly pale. Another video followed; Monica was lowered closer to the dogs. One bit her leg; blood gushed. Monica screamed. Tears streamed down Alicia's face as she gripped her phone, desperately pleading with the man to stop. Her defenses crumbled. The man's threat echoed: Monica would die if anyone else got involved. She couldn't risk calling for help.
Panicked, Alicia grabbed self-defense tools and ran out. Winter night fell fast in Warrington. Fear gripped her as she accelerated, driving faster than ever before. The steering wheel guided her to a desolate mountaintop. The journey was long and arduous, but she finally arrived. A solitary figure stood in the distance, a terrifying silhouette against the darkness.
Alicia jumped from the car and ran towards the figure. Her hoarse voice screamed, "Where is my friend? Where is she?"
The man stepped forward silently, quickly covering her eyes and dragging her inside. Alicia didn't resist; she knew these were ruthless people. Her only chance to save Monica was to obey. With her eyes covered, her other senses sharpened. The man smelled strongly of asphalt and animal fur—livestock, perhaps chickens or ducks. Alicia mentally noted this detail.
The man led her into a room. Expecting a foul odor, she instead smelled warm, surprisingly pleasant air. Tensing, she remained still. With her vision blocked, she relied on sound. The click of leather shoes echoed as someone approached, then stopped.