“There’s no such thing as a random disaster…”
“Shut up!”
Stevenson shot her a glare, beads of cold sweat gathering on his brow. “That kidnapping years ago—it only targeted rich families’ kids. Our daughter just happened to be mistaken for one of them, and we got hush money out of it. Do you really think that’s a stroke of luck?”
Stevenson’s words sent a chill down Candida’s spine.
The infamous kidnapping that made national headlines had happened just a few miles from their village. Back then, everyone knew the kidnappers only went after wealthy children, so no one in their community ever worried their own kids were at risk.
Their daughter had been little at the time. Her father took her out to the fields, and by sheer chance, they stumbled on two children who had managed to escape.
Only one of the girls was still conscious enough to beg for help. She told them her name—something similar to their own daughter’s nickname, though Stevenson couldn’t recall the exact name now.
The police arrived quickly, followed by an ambulance.
After the kids were taken to safety, law enforcement sealed off the hills and began a manhunt. Of the gang, only three were caught, and all were sentenced to death.
The news later reported that six children had been kidnapped. Four never made it home.
Remembering it all, Candida felt a wave of dread.
If they’d been too conspicuous, flashing that reward money around, who’s to say the kidnappers wouldn’t have come after them too?
“So what do we do now…?”
Stevenson pondered in silence, then said, “Call Lottie home.”
Meanwhile—
Evander was in the courtyard playing chess with Chairman Lennox when Natalie approached. She leaned in and whispered something in his ear.
Chairman Lennox set his chess piece down. “If you’re busy, Mr. Howard, I shouldn’t keep you any longer.”
“I look forward to a rematch soon, Chairman. I’ll have someone see you out.”
“Ah, always the gentleman, Mr. Howard.”
Natalie motioned for the security detail to escort the chairman to the door.
Evander leaned back in his chair, studying the board. “Well?”
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