Chapter 371As the moon rose above the horizon, casting a fair glow on the landscape, Williams, Kane, Tom, and the rugged man marked by deep scars made their way to the border crossing into Emerald Falls.The air was thick with anticipation as they approached the checkpoint, where the towering gates stood framed by lush greenery. Shadows danced around them as the trees swayed gently in the night breeze, adding an almost eerie quality to the atmosphere.Williams adjusted the straps of his backpack, his eyes scanning for any sign of trouble, while Kane exchanged a few wary glances with Tom, who was busy observing the scarred man.The scarred man's intense gaze hinted at a tumultuous past, an unsung story hidden behind his weathered exterior.The group's nerves were palpable as they prepared to step into the city of Emerald Falls. Instead of flying, Williams suggested they take a black SUV, which they used.As the black SUV sped along the main highway leading into Emerald Falls, Williams

Chapter 373Mr. Sterling took a deep breath and pressed the call button, his fingers slightly trembling as he dialed the number of the kidnappers. Williams stood beside him, watching closely, his face expressionless but his eyes sharp with intent. The phone barely had time to ring before a rough, menacing voice picked up on the other end, as though they had been waiting anxiously for this exact call.“About time,” the kidnapper sneered. “We were beginning to think you were backing out. If you want to see your son alive, this is your last chance.”Mr. Sterling held the phone tight, putting on a performance of forced calm and fear. “No, please, I have the money. I’ve arranged everything. Just… just tell me where to go, and I’ll bring it,” he stammered, his voice quivering just enough to sound desperate.Williams, positioned right next to him, pulled out his phone, angling it subtly to avoid the kidnapper’s notice. He began pressing buttons, pretending to work a tracking application. He

Chapter 375Meanwhile, James and Gregor were huddled near the battered wooden table, speaking in hushed tones. The faint glow of the lamp overhead cast elongated shadows across their faces, highlighting the intensity of their expressions.Coincidentally, they were working on something that might lead them to the kidnappers.James felt more confident than ever that the kidnappers had fully fallen for the false messages he had sent using Ben’s phone. With this advantage, he began formulating a new plan to outsmart them.“What if we release Ben?” James asked.“Release him?” Gregor was confused. “What do you mean?”James leaned forward, his fingers drumming against the table. “Look, Gregor,” he began, his voice tinged with frustration, “I know this might sound stupid, but releasing Ben is the only shot we have at ever rescuing that boy. The kidnappers already believe the fake conversations we sent through his phone. If we release him, there’s no way he won’t try to locate the others. But

Chapter 377Ben’s heart pounded in his chest as he sprinted down Montgomery Street, the dim city lights flashing past him in a blur.The cold night air bit at his face, but the rush of adrenaline kept him warm as he ran faster, dodging potholes and uneven sidewalks. His legs burned, and his breath came in sharp, ragged gasps, but he didn’t dare stop. He couldn’t afford to. He didn’t know how much time he had before James or Gregor realized he was gone—before they started chasing him down.The street was quiet, almost unnervingly so. It was nearing midnight, and the usual buzz of the city had given way to a deep, almost suffocating silence. The only sound that echoed in the stillness was the rhythmic thud of Ben’s feet pounding against the pavement.The street lamps overhead flickered intermittently, casting long shadows across the cracked sidewalks, as though the city itself was holding its breath. The world around him felt both foreign and unfamiliar, and the realization that he had

Chapter 379Denver paced back and forth inside the dimly lit bunker, the faint light from a lone bulb swinging overhead casting shadows that danced across the cracked concrete walls.Jack and Ken were busy packing up, their faces tight with concentration as they prepared for the big exchange the next day. The silence was broken by the sharp buzz of Denver’s phone vibrating on the table.He glanced at the screen.“Ben,” he muttered under his breath, his brows furrowing. “Why the hell is he calling now?” He shrugged, unsure, and pressed the phone to his ear. “What is it, Ben?” His tone was a mix of annoyance and suspicion. “So, you finally made it away from the police, huh?”Ben’s voice came through the line, sharp and defensive. “So you knew I was abducted, and you couldn’t do anything about it? You just left me there?”Denver smirked, though unease crept into his voice. “We couldn’t do anything. You said you were done, remember? Told Jack you didn’t want to be part of the kidnapping a