Chapter 5

I calmly countered:

“If that’s the case, why did you trade me for him?”

Butch stood up, clapped his hands as if dusting them off, a cunning smile on his face:

“I’m not stupid. Even if your wife despises you, you’re still the Sterling family’s legitimate son-in-law. The Sterling family would never spend money to ransom that man, but for you, they absolutely would.”

“After all, the Sterling family is notoriously concerned with its reputation. If their son-in-law were killed, how bad would that look?”

My heart clenched. So, in these kidnappers’ eyes, I was merely a symbol of the Sterling family’s public image.

I was their bargaining chip for a massive ransom.

I smiled sardonically.

Indeed, my standing in Vicki’s heart truly was less than this so-called “reputation.”

“Why didn’t you extort the Harrington family?”

I couldn’t help but ask again.

“Heh.”

Butch scoffed.

“Don’t think I don’t know. That man is just an illegitimate son of the Harrington family, and not particularly favored. The Harringtons might not bother ransoming him.”

My brow furrowed. Few people knew Felix was an illegitimate son of the Harrington family.

It seemed these kidnappers really did their homework.

I closed my eyes, saying nothing more.

Meanwhile, Vicki and her group of five dared not linger for a moment.

After exiting the factory, they got into the car, ready to leave.

“Vicki, that was absolutely terrifying!”

Chloe let out a heavy sigh of relief.

“Thank goodness for you, Vicki.”

Felix also turned, looking at Vicki gratefully, then hesitated:

“But Liam is still with the kidnappers…”

The words were barely out before Vicki coldly cut him off:

“Just call the police!”

Hearing that, Felix’s lips curled into a sneer.

Inside the abandoned factory, the kidnappers taunted me with one comment after another.

I remained silent.

Seeing my lack of reaction, the kidnappers grew bored and dispersed.

My face was impassive, but secretly, I carefully observed the distribution of the kidnappers.

I noticed there were five kidnappers in the factory.

One guarded the door, two chatted and smoked nearby, and two others played cards in a corner.

I began to ponder. I couldn’t pin my hopes of escape on Vicki.

I had to save myself!

Time ticked by, minute by minute. Two hours later, the kidnappers gradually grew sleepy.

They yawned incessantly, and Butch had long since fallen asleep.

My eyes flashed. I quietly pulled out a razor blade I had hidden earlier.

I had picked it up from the ground and stashed it when I was being led into the factory, while the kidnappers weren’t paying attention.

I cautiously used the blade to cut the ropes on my hands, my movements subtle, terrified of making even the slightest sound.

The ropes were slowly severed, and my heartbeat grew faster and faster.

Finally, the ropes broke, and my hands were free.

I crept towards the window, light-footed.

But just as I was about to reach the window, a kidnapper seemed to sense something amiss and suddenly turned his head.

My face changed. Without thinking, I swiftly leaped out the window and ran for my life.

The kidnappers roared in fury and immediately gave chase.

In the intense pursuit, I tripped over a discarded steel bar and was unfortunately caught by one of the robbers.

A cold glint flashed, and a sharp pain shot through my wrist. Blood streamed out.

But I ignored the pain, kicked the man away, gritted my teeth, got back up, and continued running.

Finally, I escaped the factory.