In the dimly lit factory, Alia sat on a cold metal chair, her wrists bound tightly with rough ropes. The air was thick with the metallic tang of rust, and the faint sound of dripping water echoed around her. Her sharp gaze darted through the shadowy surroundings, trying to glean any useful information. Strands of sunlight pierced through the broken roof, illuminating the dusty floor. Occasionally, the chirping of birds broke the oppressive silence.
Her dry lips pressed together as she lifted her head to look at the nearby kidnappers. Her voice was weak but clear. "Can I get some water? I've been unconscious for so long, and I'm parched. You wouldn't want me dying of thirst, would you?"
The tall man leading the group sneered and turned to her with a tone dripping with disdain. "You've only been out for an hour. How could you be that thirsty? Don't try to pull any tricks! Do you think you're some noble lady from a story, using clever schemes to outwit us? Sit tight, or I'll make sure you learn the rules the hard way."
Alia listened to his taunts with an outward calmness, though her mind raced. The one-hour timeline was crucial information.
Piecing together the events from when she was dragged out of the car to being transported here and tied to the chair, Alia calculated the time. It must have taken the kidnappers about ten minutes to drag her and tie her up, meaning the factory couldn't be more than a 50-minute drive from the location of the attack.
Letting her gaze drift away from the kidnappers, she lowered her head as if weary, all the while replaying the routes she had taken earlier that day in her mind. In her past life as a top-tier thief, her innate talent ensured she never forgot a road once traveled. That afternoon, on her way to Elias's secret base, she had passed through a secluded hiking area surrounded by dense woods, filled with lots of birds and water features.". She had even thought about returning to explore it someday. Now, she was certain she had been brought near that spot.
"The wooded hiking area," she mused. The region was crisscrossed with hidden trails, some of which might lead directly to the abandoned factory. Coupled with the dripping water and bird sounds, it was clear this location was far from populated areas.
Taking a deep breath, Alia committed these observations to memory and forced herself to remain calm. Although the kidnappers were on guard, they weren't entirely meticulous. All she needed was a single moment of carelessness on their part to escape.
Lifting her head slightly, she infused her voice with a mix of exhaustion and determination. "If you really think I'm a noble lady, at least treat me with a little dignity. Even if you plan to negotiate, you wouldn't want me humiliated like this, right?" Her tone was measured—firm enough to hold her ground, yet mild enough to avoid provoking the kidnappers.
The tall man snorted but didn't respond, turning back to his companions for a hushed conversation. Alia's lips curved into a faint smirk. She hadn't expected to actually get water—she just needed the time to gather her thoughts.
Night fell, the woods blanketed in an icy wind that rustled the leaves. In an open clearing, Marcellus and Elias stood in front of their respective vehicles, their gazes locked in a frosty standoff.
Neither trusted the other, each suspecting a trap. Yet given the urgency of the situation, both men had temporarily set aside their suspicions.
Marcellus was the first to break the silence, his deep voice cutting through the cold night. "Are these the men you trust most for a mission like this?" His sharp eyes swept over Elias's group, scrutinizing each face as though trying to unmask a traitor.
Elias frowned, hesitating before responding. "Most of them, yes. But a few are simply guards from my secret base—competent but not part of my inner circle. That said…" He trailed off, a flicker of unease crossing his features. "Even I can't be completely certain anymore."
Marcellus's lips curled into a cold smile. "If you're uncertain, why bring them at all? You should know that even one unknown variable increases the risk!"
Elias remained calm, meeting Marcellus's glare. "There wasn't time to vet everyone thoroughly. Besides, this isn't some random kidnapping. If Livia is the target, then the real aim is either you or Edgar. As long as that's true, they won't harm her just yet. And if there is a traitor among us, bringing them here might actually help expose them. Of course," he added pointedly, "that's assuming there is a traitor."
Marcellus let out a derisive snort but didn't argue further. "If this isn't one of your schemes, then it's aimed at me. Either way, I've already made my plans." His voice was laced with an unshakable confidence, though his eyes gleamed with wary vigilance.
At that moment, the sharp trill of a phone broke the tense silence. Marcellus's phone.
Both men exchanged a quick, guarded look. Elias gestured for silence among his men and then nodded for Marcellus to answer.
Marcellus picked up the phone, his voice low and steely. "Who is this?"