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, "How

dollars.

was stunned

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 Winona as leverage to extort money

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

continued, "Dad's

so to save

be willing

treasure. But com with he with a billion in cash? That

I liquidated everything

plus the Newsom family's assets, it wouldn't be enough.

knows if he's willing to

was trying to rope Tarquin into his scheme. Inside, she fumed,

If paying the ransom gets Winona back, that's

worried something might go wrong

we pay up and they still harm her, they

sense. I don't know if Tarquin can pull together that much cash on