Shenmaine used GPS to find Ross, then zeroed in on Danielle.

The results were clear. They were on opposite ends of the city. This wasn’t about Danielle. They’d used her to bait Ross.

She called Alex, Ross‘ assistant in Lightspring City, and gave quick orders, and the helicopter took off.

Phones weren’t allowed mid-flight because they interfered with helicopter signals, but Shermaine bypassed that. She texted Joshua: [Reach out to Danielle’s dad.]

The night stretched on, bringing a chill. Deep in the abandoned factory, lights glowed, revealing a dozen dark figures.

Ross slipped in unnoticed until he demanded, “Where is she?”

His voice was icy, nowhere near the warm, easy tone that usually felt like a spring breeze. This sounded like a harsh autumn wind, making them shiver.

The sudden voice jolted everyone. They went stock-still for a beat before realizing Ross was standing there in the murky light.

“Jesus, you nearly gave me a heart attack!” someone yelped.

“Who dropped the ball on guard duty?” growled a fierce-looking guy in a leather jacket with a gold chain.

“Paul was supposed to be watching,” someone muttered.

“Where the hell is he?” the fierce-looking guy asked.

They called for Paul, but only echoes answered.

Paul lay crumpled on the floor, his face bruised and swollen, knocked out cold.

Ross repeated, “Where is she?”

The guy in charge, wearing a leather jacket and a thick gold chain, sneered, “You really came alone?”

“Yeah,” Ross replied.

“Huh, you actually showed up by yourself. Impressive,” the man said with a nasty smirk. “You’re a straight shooter. I thought I’d need all these guys to deal with you, but looks like I can handle you on my own.”

“So she’s not here,” Ross said, his voice turning menacing.

The man stepped forward, pulling off his jacket to show off his massive arm muscles. “That’s right. You got conned. The woman isn’t here.”

Ross rolled his neck, joints cracking, and undid a couple of buttons on his shirt. “As long as you know where she is.”

“Even if I do, you’re dead tonight,” the man boasted, oblivious to the danger he was in.

Over at the dock warehouse, Danielle was still unconscious from the drugs. Footsteps echoed, and someone crouched beside her, gently touching her cheek. His voice was cold and possessive. “Dr. Shelly, you belong to me.”

He stared at her for a moment, then turned to the man behind him. “When will she wake up?”

“Maybe ten more minutes,” came the reply.

“Make sure you play your part perfectly,” he ordered.

Chapter 310

The rat-faced man grinned at the young, good-looking guy. “Don’t worry, Mr. Jean. We’re professionals. Your money’s worth it.”

Mr. Jean was Jason.