Despite the chaos and fear that had consumed him earlier, Elias Verrick kept his mouth shut, unable to form coherent words. His eyes remained glued to Jaden, a mix of shock and trepidation plastered across his face. The Jeep weaved through the quiet streets of Ironvale City, finally pulling up in front of the Verrick family mansion. The night was still, but the tension inside the house was palpable. Every family member had remained awake, unable to rest after hearing about Elias’s kidnapping. The thought of contacting the police had been abandoned almost immediately—no one dared risk Elias’s life further.“Uncle is back!”Paul Verrick, Aiden’s young son, came running from the driveway, his small legs carrying him as fast as they could, his voice ringing with unfiltered joy.Xander Verrick’s face lit up at the sound of his grandson’s excitement. The rest of the family quickly followed, hurrying toward the front door, their anxiety now mixed with relief.Outside the living room, Elias