The moment Emma Johnson was taken, the three kidnappers had tossed her phone into a muddy ditch to keep her location hidden.
Now Liam Williams couldn't reach her. Something was wrong.
His heart clenched. He grabbed his jacket and rushed downstairs, not even acknowledging Christopher Martin's calls.
All he wanted was to get home and find Emma safe and sound.
His black Land Rover tore through the streets. Liam floored the accelerator, blowing through every red light. The drive from the office to Emma's place took only five minutes.
But when he threw open the door, he only saw Sophia and James Johnson busy in the kitchen. Liam took two steps inside, but still no sign of Emma. A dark预感 settled in his chest. "Mom, where's Emma? She's not back yet?"
"She should be working late. Ah Hao, have a seat on the sofa. Dinner's almost ready." Sophia's heart swelled at his anxious expression.
This son-in-law must truly love her daughter to be this worried after just one day apart.
Liam paced the living room, but the unease wouldn't fade. He walked into the kitchen. "Mom, do you have the number for Emma's office?"
"There's a phone book in the drawer under the coffee table. Check there. Ah Hao, don't worry. Emma works late sometimes. You'll get used to it..." Before Sophia could finish, Liam had already disappeared from the kitchen doorway.
He grabbed the phone and dialed. After a few rings, an elderly voice answered. "Hello, security desk."
"Hello, I'd like to ask if the editor-in-chief of New York Fashion Magazine, Emma Johnson, is still in the office?" Liam got straight to the point.
"Editor-in-chief Emma left a long time ago."
"Are you sure? She's already left the building?" Liam pressed.
"Of course. She greets me every day. How could I be wrong? She left right after work."
"I see. Thank you." Liam hung up quickly, hesitated for a moment, then dialed another number.
"Christopher, I need you to check tomorrow's newspaper. Right now, find a way to pull up all the traffic camera footage from New York Fashion Magazine to Sunset Community. Look for a woman in a pink outfit." Liam could only think of one quick way to figure out where Emma had gone.
"Got it. I'm heading to the police station now." Christopher had just left the office when he got the call.
"I'll give you five minutes. Call me back as soon as you find anything."
"Yes, sir."
Liam had barely been home for a few minutes. He went back to the entrance to change his shoes, ready to head out again.
Sophia came out with a plate of fruit. She heard Liam mention something about surveillance footage and saw him preparing to leave. Suspicion crept into her mind. "What's wrong, Ah Hao? You just got back. Are you going out again?"
"Mom, Emma isn't at the office. I'm going to look for her. You and Dad stay here. I'll be back later." Liam didn't have time to explain. He grabbed his car keys and headed for the elevator.
"Ah..." This kid, was it really that urgent?
Christopher was efficient. As soon as Liam reached the ground floor, his phone rang. "Sir, I found the woman you described. At 5:38 PM, at the intersection of Bright Road, she was taken by an unmarked van. Preliminary guess: she's been kidnapped."
"Keep digging. Find out where that van came from, who took her, and where they went. I want answers." Liam's voice lost its calm. His tone rose, his eyes blazing with fury.
Who would dare kidnap his wife?
And what did they want? Money? Or something else?
Liam's heart tightened. He shoved his phone into his pocket, his fists clenching and unclenching.
Emma Johnson, you'd better not lose a single hair. Otherwise, he'd make sure everyone who hurt her paid.
Liam gripped his car keys, not knowing where to start looking.
Could he just wait for Christopher's news?
What if the kidnappers hurt her? What if they had bad intentions?
The more he thought, the more restless he became. He even called the city's police chief, personally asking him to investigate.
Liam would spare no expense. He just wanted news of Emma as soon as possible. Because he knew that with every passing minute, her situation could only get worse.
In less than an hour, his mood shifted from regret to anxiety, and finally to pure rage.
Damn it!
Liam spun around and slammed his fist into the wall. A sharp pain shot through his knuckles. For the first time in his life, he felt like he was falling apart.
Then he heard a noise behind him. Liam turned and saw a royal blue Mercedes-Benz parked in the distance.
He squinted. A young man got out of the car. And the woman in the passenger seat... was that Emma?
The woman he'd been desperately searching for. The woman who meant so much to him.
But now, Liam saw Emma smiling at that man. They walked toward him together.
Emma was still wearing a strange man's black leather jacket. This woman really had a death wish. Liam clenched his fist and strode toward them, his eyes sharp.
Elijah Clark's gaze was fixed on Emma. He didn't notice Liam approaching.
Emma looked up and saw Liam. She was about to speak.
But Liam didn't even look at her. He pulled her behind him, raised his fist, and brought it down hard on Elijah's handsome face.
"Liam! What are you doing?" Emma screamed.
Elijah stumbled back from the sudden blow. His mouth filled with the taste of blood.
But he didn't get angry. He just licked the blood from the corner of his mouth, spat it out, and raised a proud smirk. His tone was full of provocation. "So this is the famous president of Pinnacle Corporation, Liam Williams? I've heard a lot about you..."
Liam didn't answer. He swung his arm to land another punch, but Emma ran to Elijah's side and grabbed Liam's fist with both hands. "Liam, you've got it wrong! It's not him... It's not him! If it weren't for Elijah, I would have..."