The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance

Chapter 25

As Stella waited, she chatted with her captor about family, kids, and marriage.

Surprisingly, the kidnapper had a happy family—a loving wife and a bright daughter. He had invested in a project to provide a better life for them but ended up losing everything.

He confided in Stella, admitting even if he managed to pay off his debts, he would still end up behind bars. But he wanted to ensure his wife and daughter wouldn't be harassed by debt collectors, hoping to give them a peaceful future.

Stella listened, her emotions a whirlwind of sympathy and confusion.

Outside, negotiators and police officers' voices echoed without pause. The kidnapper's initial frenzy gradually gave way to a calmer demeanor.

"You know," he said, "the lives of wealthy folks aren't that happy, either. If it weren't for me, you'd be dead today. What I lost was just money, but you, you could have lost your life."

clock, realizing how much time had passed. His gaze softened with a hint of pity. "Miss, thanks for talking with me. Compared

her go. A sudden, terrifying gunshot rang out,

blank. It was the first time she

and medics rushed in to rescue her. Yet, Haynes

the hospital, as she underwent a series of check-ups, she ran into

call. "Did you call earlier saying

to pull a sympathy stunt to get Haynie's attention, huh? Haynie, look at her, not

to bring my meals, please say it. Please don't joke about

and Rachel's dismissive banter pegged her kidnapping as a ploy to

into it to see if her kidnap was true. But he didn't. His focus was solely on Rachel, oblivious to Stella's ordeal. From that moment, Stella felt her heart

I'll see you at the city hall tomorrow at nine