Lucas stared at Priscilla before asking, "Why are you here?"Priscilla sneered before grabbing his collar and pushing him against the wall. "Don't you know what you did, you old fox? Are you even related to Holls? I don't think so."Yet you dared to complain that she refused to support you on TV! Why should she support you? Who do you think you are?"Lucas chuckled sinisterly and said, "It's because she's your daughter, and I'm your ex-husband."Priscilla's expression hardened. "I've never seen such a shameless person like you!"Lucas replied, "What can I do? Both of you were living the dream life with big houses and luxury cars, yet I'm saddled with debt while renting a place. It's unfair to me! If you're feasting, the least you could do is toss me a bone, right?"Priscilla was filled with anger. "Have some shame! Don't you know how much money you've extorted from me all these years?"Lucas said, "You're only giving me tens of thousands of dollars each time, and at most 80 or 1
Holly's heart was beating rapidly. She was worried for Priscilla's safety. She suppressed her anxiety and said, "Get my mom on the phone. I want to hear her!"Lucas was at a loss for words and started panicking. After all, Priscilla was hidden in the underground secret chamber. She also couldn't speak since she was still unconscious.This was his first time kidnapping someone. It was just a spur-of-the-moment decision.Holly started suspecting him when he remained silent. "Are you lying to me?"Lucas gritted his teeth and said, "Just wait. I'll take some photos for you."Holly's tone hardened as she said, "Photos can be forged. Let's do a video call instead. I need to be cautious since the money you're asking for is substantial."Lucas hesitated before agreeing, "Alright."He asked Chanse to keep watch outside before bringing his phone to the underground secret chamber. He then started a video call with Holly.There was a musty smell in the underground secret chamber. It was da
Bryce calmly said, "Lucas is all bite and no bark. He's also the type to kiss up and kick down. You'll only play into his cards if you really go on your own. There's strength in numbers, so just do as I say."Holly was too worried about Priscilla's safety. She couldn't calm down and think properly. As such, she could only listen to Bryce.Once they had prepared a box of cash and a few lockboxes, they got into the car and headed straight to the outskirts.Bryce called Kolby on their way over. Holly shuddered as soon as she heard him utter the words "Detective Briant".She covered his phone and shook her head. "Lucas said not to call the police. He said he'd kill her if we did."Bryce replied softly, "We're not calling the police. I'm just asking Kolby for a police dog. I'll get him to come in plain clothes, and he won't be taking the police car."Lucas wouldn't take the risks as long as we didn't agitate him. Don't worry. He only wanted the money, he wouldn't kill someone for re
Kolby was the one holding the gun.As the captain of the criminal investigation team, not only was he skilled in solving cases, but he was also proficient in tracking. Someone like Lucas, who was an unprofessional abductor, wouldn't be able to notice an expert's ambush.There was a tracker installed in Holly's car. Kolby would be able to track her down, no matter where Lucas made her drive to.While they were transacting, Kolby hid behind an old building of the abandoned factory to take photos for evidence.Kolby took out his handcuffs and deftly cuffed Lucas' wrists. He gave Lucas' knees a kick and commanded, "Get up!"Lucas hurriedly got up from the ground with trembling knees. He glared at Holly and said, "You lied to me. You said you wouldn't call the police!"Holly didn't respond to him. She only took up her phone to call Bryce. "Did they find my mom?"Bryce's voice sounded from the phone when he said, "We found her. There's a secret chamber in the auxiliary building. The p
Kolby instructed, "Bring the money back for investigation. Send more men out to arrest Chanse.""Got it, Detective Briant."After that, Holly and Bryce accompanied Priscilla to the police station to give her statement.It was two hours later by the time she was done giving her statement. The sky had darkened considerably, so they sent Priscilla back to her place.After dinner, Holly asked, "What kind of secret are the both of you hiding from me, Mom?""I—" Priscilla, who was usually quick with her words, seemed hesitant and unsure of what to say.Holly grabbed her hands. "I'm not a child anymore. Actually, I could probably figure it out even if you don't tell me. Lucas isn't really my father, is he? A real father would still have some sort of parental love, even if he's got bad character. "But him? He has none at all, not even a single shred of it."Priscilla could only admit to it when she could no longer hide it. "You're right. That bastard isn't your biological father."Ho
Bryce only let Holly down after that.At that moment, someone walked past them again and cast them a curious glance. The way he was carrying her was just too extraordinary. At the same time, they were also good-looking.It looked regular when an ordinary person carried someone. But it was just like a scene from a romantic drama when good-looking people were doing it—sweet and romantic.Holly's cheeks burned as she hid behind Bryce's back, yet she was beyond happy deep down.It was a strange feeling—fresh and moving. She was brimming with affection, feeling electrified.Bryce took her hand and said, "I'll compensate for what you've lost moving forward."Holly gently pinched his slender fingers. "I feel like you're taking advantage of me."Bryce smiled slightly and said, "A father's love is like a steadfast mountain, but a husband's love can be just as unwavering. Love in this world, for the most part, tends to be universal."Holly felt a rush of warmth welling up in her chest, a
Holly was even more surprised and said, "Mom told me that I was a test tube baby, and my father is unknown. How would we be able to find my biological father by just collecting DNA in the police station?"Bryce held on to her hand and walked into the police station. His tone sounded solemn when he said, "Don't worry about it that much. Just follow me."They arrived at the laboratory responsible for DNA sampling at the criminal investigation department. Holly showed her ID card to the staff and applied for DNA database testing. The police extracted her blood and collected her blood sample. They then conducted the DNA test and entered the corresponding data. All these were done for free.While filling up the form, Holly could clearly see that they were entering the national DNA database for abducted children.The police sent Holly back to wait for the results after they were done. They would notify her by phone if there was a match in the DNA database.Holly was still confused whe
Lucas had gone on TV to accuse her of being cold-blooded and heartless. Even though the show was taken off air, and the trending topics were taken down, some secretly hired internet trolls to attack her in her comments section.Kind words could heal wounds, but hurtful ones could leave lasting scars.Although Holly knew the trolls were attacking her on purpose, she would still feel upset whenever she saw their comments.As such, she decided not to read them altogether. Out of sight, out of mind.Integrity reigned supreme in the court of public opinion. Those of upright character had their own discernment. They wouldn't be swayed by the crude words of internet trolls.…Soon enough, Chanse was also caught.He confessed to everything during interrogation. He was the one who played Lucas' show on the large screen during Samantha's engagement party.Why would Chanse do that? It was because someone had gifted him and Lucas a million dollars in cash, just to get Lucas to go on TV.