The Imposter Bride (Natalia and Magnus) novel Chapter 464

Gabby's heart sank like a stone when Scarface described the kidnapping with such casual indifference. Her mind had been solely fixated on Anna's safety, and it was only now, a beat too late, that she realized Lucius had provided her with a mere two million dollars – a far cry from the ten million needed.

The thought of what might happen if she angered the kidnappers was too terrifying even to contemplate. She was acutely aware that she was up against desperados, and as a woman on her own with Anna by her side, how could she possibly stand a chance against these ruthless crooks?

Gabby tried to maintain a facade of calm as she surveyed the room for a possible escape route, her eyes darting from corner to corner. But after a thorough glance, she knew their prospects were grim. The room had only one door, and every window was tightly shut.

Scarface noticed Gabby's vigilant eyes and sneered, "What's the matter, sweetheart, thinking of running? If it turns out you've really given us that kind of dough, nobody’s gonna lay a finger on you. But if you're playing smart..." He let out a menacing chuckle.

"Boss!"

The door burst open as one of the henchmen rushed back in from checking the account. "Boss, the card's got money, but it's not ten million – it's only two million!"

Scarface's initial delight at the presence of money quickly turned to fury. He glared at Gabby and struck her across the face with a backhand slap, hissing through clenched teeth, "You conniving little tramp! Think you can outsmart me, huh?"

As dawn was breaking, he bellowed, "Take 'em both!"

Gabby's plea was cut short by the taste of blood in her mouth. "Everything I have is here, honestly, it's just the two million that Lucius gave me - please, just let me and my child go."

"Ha!" Scarface snorted. "I saw you leaving that fancy villa with the kid. Do you expect me to believe you couldn’t scrape together ten million when you live in a place like that? You take me for a fool?"

Gabby was at her wit's end. With no money to her name except for the two million on Lucius' card, she was at the mercy of these merciless thugs who refused to believe her. She desperately wanted to fight back, but what chance did she stand, especially holding Anna, against these towering men?

Before Gabby could make a break for it, she and Anna were herded onto a dilapidated fishing vessel, which slipped away into the predawn stillness, leaving Dubai behind without a trace...

*

Hawaii.