Crossroads

Chapter 71

“Help!”

The woman, brought back as a hostage, cowered in the corner, her body trembling as she begged, “No, please, don’t…” Her face was swollen from being hit, and her long hair was a cluttered mess

“You want money, right? How much do you want? I can pay you. Don’t touch me. Stay away from me…” Her lips turned pale with fear, her words trembling.

“Shut up, you old hag!”

The burly man was visibly impatient. Then, he grabbed her by the hair and dragged her out…

“What’s going on here?”

The door was suddenly flung open with a clang

A man dressed in a black suit had just returned, and he was also dragging another woman. “Two Jessicas?”

Stephanie, restrained by the man in the suit, looked up anxiously and was shocked to see Jessica crawling on the ground in the middle of the grimy, abandoned factory.

“Let go of mel” Stephanie struggled as the man gripped her jaw, his surprise was evident as he squinted, scrutinizing her and Jessica.

“Forget it. Just deal with both of them. Let’s start filming and send the footage to Dominick. That bastard really thinks we’re pushovers!”

“No, don’t touch me! I’m begging you. Please let me go… Jessica looked up at the thug above her, disgust running through her as she

trembled in fear,

She struggled desperately, but her movements only made the man more impatient, his grip leaving bruises on her delicate skin.

With her face streaked with tears, Jessica turned her head and screamed, “Stephanie, help mel Help!”

“Stephanie?”

Hearing that name, the man in the black suit was stunned.

Then, the hand around Stephanie’s neck tightened even more, his eyes bloodshot as he glared at her.

“So you’re Dominick’s wife,” he spat out through clenched teeth, his tone sinister and full of hatred,

Stephanie was met with his intense glare, and a wave of terror rose. “What do you want to do?” She fiercely forcefully, but couldn’t overcome the man’s strength.

The man burst out laughing. “I heard the woman Dominick brought home is pregnant, cartying his child…” His laughter was chilling and

venomous.

“Hey! Turn the camera this way…” he barked at another man in front. “It’s time to dissect this bastard child alive!

“Don’t worry, I will send the corpse of this baby to Dominick… So the father can meet his child.” He held a fruit knife in his hand, aiming it at Stephanie’s belly.

The abandoned factory echoed with his cruel, chilling voice. An old lamp swung overhead, its dim yellow light glinting off the cold edge of a knife. The cold metal sensation, the sharp edge of the knife, traced across her abdomen…

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10:44 Sat, 22 Jun

Chapter 71

body rigid. “Stay away

It was Randall’s brother, Isaac, who sent the anonymous letters to Jessica. Ever since their father, Wyatt, took his own life at the Westerfield

used tonight’s company celebration to grab Jessica, It seems to be a strike against

urgently while police personnel quickly mobilized

Jessica. Suddenly, Dominick’s phone buzzed with a new video

from the abductors? Any words of Ms. Carter…” a police officer said, looking towards

face was grim as he glared at his phone

that face, no matter how much someone else might try to look

wasn’t Jessica… It

had

where are

his troubled expression and silence as he got into the car, looking like he was urged to go

reminding him, “When negotiating with criminals, you must be

He slammed his foot on the gas, the

the banquet. Someone mistook her for Jessica and brought her inside…”

updates.

spot EC5620 confirmed as Mrs. Wellington’s.” Each message

wheel tight as he suddenly swerved

the ground

sudden braking made the car

a flash, Dominick was out the door

scrambled out after him,

up, so we can’t get any information…” a police officer ran

upwards, and with a ding, the doors

you want to

first room on the left, where

forward, snatching a gun from

10:44 501, 22

Chapter 71

82

yelling, “Stop it!”

IV bag for Randall. Startled by

in Randall’s hospital gown, and his right jammed a gun against

blood since you threw him down. Calm down!” Vincent burst into

Wellington, this isn’t how we do things… The officer behind him was visibly shaken

you one last

he ripped out Randall’s oxygen tube and all others, hauling him

bed.

choked, coughing weakly, unable to

the

into the comer.

officer said, grabbing his arm. “Our priority

the officer and stepped forward, stomping on Randall’s injured left arm. The pain made Randall cry out, “Stop!” he exclaimed, his

raising the gun and pointing it straight at Randall’s forehead. His voice

threatening.

so much about Jessica.” He coughed between

took her. He’ll

gunshots suddenly rang