Hitched & Hitched Again: A Comedy of Marital Mayhem

Chapter 1178

Elysia was in a tough spot again.

After what felt like an eternity, she emerged from the bathroom, her eyes puffy and red.

"Mommy!"

"I'm okay, really. Don't worry about me. You guys go and play," she reassured Elliot and Evan, sending them off before returning to her booth to continue the conversation with Zane.

"It's definitely Winona in the video this time, no doubt about it," Elysia confirmed, her voice shaky.

"Yeah, I saw it too. But don't lose hope just yet. Things could be worse-she's still alive, even if she's suffering," Zane replied, trying to offer some comfort.

Elysia took a deep, shaky breath, "If we don't call the cops, how do we get Winona out?"

"Here's what I'm thinking: for her safety, we hold off on calling the authorities. We do what the kidnappers say for now. Once we have Winona safe, then we go to the police."

Elysia nodded in agreement, "Right. Winona's safety comes first. So, what are their demands?"

"They want money, and they want the Newsom family heirloom."

"How much money are we talking about?" Elysia asked.

"A billion!" Zane declared.

eyes widened,

dollars. U.S.

stunned

the kids heard the figure loud and clear, and they all frowned in unison. Even with their wealth, a billion dollars was an astronomical sum. Zane was clearly trying to exploit the situation, using

squeeze Tarquin for the billion dollars and snag Ridley's heirloom

"Dad's fond

to save

be willing to part

com with he with a

I liquidated

assets, it wouldn't be enough. The

he's willing to help Winona

to rope Tarquin into his scheme. Inside, she fumed, but outwardly she remained

paying the ransom gets

go wrong in the process," she

kidnappers want money, not trouble. If we pay up and they still harm her, they know

if Tarquin can pull together that much cash on short notice. I'll have