chapter 12
1046 Words
Nathan was still in Ethan’s office, his expression smug as he adjusted the cufflinks on his expensive suit. Ethan, arms crossed and jaw clenched, stood by his desk, his patience running dangerously thin.
Nathan for your own good I just hope you're not playing games with my sister," Ethan said, his tone cold. "Because whatever you’re hiding—it’ll come out eventually."
Nathan scoffed, rolling his eyes. "You really think you can intimidate me, Foster? Stick to your legal battles. This is out of your league."
Ethan was about to fire back when Nathan’s phone buzzed in his pocket. He glanced at the screen, irritation flashing across his face, but when he answered the call, his demeanor shifted instantly.
"Hello?" Nathan’s voice was sharp, impatient.
A distorted voice came through the line. "Mr. Hill. If you want to see your fiancée again, you’ll need to pay up."
Nathan’s entire body went rigid. "What the hell are you talking about?"
Ethan immediately noticed the shift in Nathan’s face. His arrogance drained, replaced by something close to fear.
The voice continued, calm but menacing. "Sophia Foster is with us. She’s safe… for now. But if you want to keep her that way, we need twenty million dollars. Cash. No police, no games."
Nathan’s breath hitched. His mind raced. This wasn’t happening. This couldn’t be happening.
Ethan, watching his reaction closely, narrowed his eyes. "What’s going on?"
Nathan barely heard him. His heart pounded as the voice returned.
"And one more thing," the kidnapper added, "Miss Foster’s friend is with her. If you want her released too, you’ll need to add another fifty thousand dollars."
Nathan’s knuckles turned white as he gripped the phone. "You’re lying."
The kidnapper chuckled. "You think so? Maybe you’d like to hear her voice?"
A few seconds of rustling, then Sophia’s voice, trembling but defiant, came through the line. "Nathan, please—"
Then the call cut off.after which a video clip of Sophia tied up was sent,
Nathan still standing started pacing the floor anxiously. His fingers trembled as he watched the video sent to his phone, his mind racing through the conversation he had just had with the kidnappers.
Ethan watched him closely, his own patience thinning by the second. "Nathan, talk. Who called?"
Nathan exhaled sharply, running a hand through his hair. His voice was strained when he finally spoke. "They have Sophia."
Ethan’s entire body went rigid. His jaw clenched, and his hands balled into fists at his sides. "What do you mean, ‘they have Sophia’?"
Nathan hesitated. "She’s been kidnapped.That was when Ethan saw the video still playing,They’re asking for twenty million dollars."
The words barely registered before a white-hot fury spread through Ethan’s chest. His mind went blank for a second, his entire focus narrowing to one thing—getting his sister back.
"Who the hell are ‘they’?" he demanded, stepping forward to watch the video for any clue..
Nathan shook his head. "They didn’t say. Just that she’s alive, and if I want her back, I have forty-eight hours to come up with the money."
Ethan’s fists slammed against his desk, the loud thud echoing through the office. "And you didn’t think to tell me this the second you hung up?"
Nathan exhaled, looking visibly shaken. "I was trying to process it!"
Ethan inhaled deeply, forcing himself to think rationally. He needed details. He needed control. "Did they say where to bring the money?"
Nathan nodded. "They’ll send a location later. No police, no tracking devices, or they’ll hurt her."
Ethan’s nostrils flared. He wanted nothing more than to tear the kidnappers apart with his bare hands, but first, he needed to get Sophia back safely.
Then, something hit him. "Wait… Sophia wasn’t alone tonight. She was with Chloe."
A pause.
Nathan didn’t respond immediately, which sent Ethan’s instincts on high alert. He straightened, his expression darkening.
"Did they mention Chloe?" Ethan asked, his voice sharp.
Nathan hesitated for a second before shaking his head. "No. They only talked about Sophia."
Ethan’s eyes narrowed. "You’re sure?"
Nathan nodded quickly. "They said Sophia. Nothing about Chloe."
Ethan studied him carefully, trying to read between the lines. Something about Nathan’s response felt… off. Like he was holding something back.
But there was no time to push. Not yet.
"I’ll pay the ransom," Ethan said firmly.
Nathan’s head snapped up. "What?"
"You heard me. I’ll get the twenty million."
Nathan’s face twisted with something that looked like shame. "I… I don’t have that kind of money. I’d have to—"
"I don’t care what you have or don't have," Ethan cut him off coldly. "Sophia is my sister. I’ll pay whatever it takes."
Nathan swallowed hard, nodding. "Okay."
Ethan grabbed his coat and phone. "I’m going with you."
Nathan stiffened. "No, you can’t."
Ethan shot him a dangerous look. "The hell I can’t."
"The kidnappers said I have to come alone," Nathan said quickly. "No one else. They made that clear."
Ethan gritted his teeth. He didn’t trust Nathan—not one bit. But he couldn’t risk doing anything that would put Sophia in further danger.
Still, something gnawed at him. "And Chloe? You’re sure they didn’t mention her?"
Nathan hesitated. It was barely a second, but Ethan caught it.
"Nothing," Nathan said firmly. "It was only about Sophia."
Ethan wasn’t convinced.
If Chloe was with Sophia, why wouldn’t the kidnappers mention her? Why demand money for Sophia and not Chloe?
His gut told him there was more to this than Nathan was letting on. And Ethan Foster always trusted his gut.
"Fine," Ethan said, his voice clipped. "But if you think for one second I’m sitting back while my sister is in danger, you don’t know me at all."
Nathan exhaled. "I’ll handle this."
Ethan didn’t believe that for a second.
As Nathan turned to leave Ethan requested he send the video clip of Sophia the kidnappers sent, Nathan left immediately after that.Ethan picked up his phone and made a call.
"Luke," he said the moment his head of security answered. "I need you to track Nathan Hill. Now."
He wasn’t taking any chances.
Because something about this wasn’t right.
And Ethan Foster would get to the bottom of it—no matter what it took.
- Writer
