Chapter 37 Kidnapping Shen Shutong's movements were a little stiff...
Shen Shutong climbed out of the trunk with somewhat stiff movements.
"Who are you? What do you want?" She tried to stay calm and tried to talk to them.
No one answered her. The tall man stepped forward, roughly grabbed her arm, and twisted her backward. He wrapped a rough hemp rope around her wrist, tightening it.
Her hands were tied behind her back, and her ankles were bound in the same way, with the knots tied tightly and securely. After this, two men arrived, lifted her up, and dragged her to a rusty iron pillar in the corner of the warehouse. They forced her to sit against it, and then wrapped the rope around it several times to reinforce it.
The whole process was efficient and skillful, and you could tell at a glance that he was an old hand.
Shen Shutong leaned against the iron pillar, her wrists and ankles aching from the binding. She took a deep breath and tried again, "If it's about money, we can negotiate. Name a price. As long as you guarantee my safety, my family will pay."
The man standing before her, who seemed to be the ringleader, finally reacted. He crouched down and looked at her calmly, "Just wait. Someone will contact the right person."
He stood up and gestured to the other man. He nodded, dragged a worn canvas bag from the side, and pulled out several bottles of mineral water and some compressed biscuits, dropping them on the ground near Shen Shutong's feet. He then pulled out an old-fashioned touch-tone phone, checked the battery level, and placed it in the hands of the leader.
The leading man operated his phone a few times, then pointed the camera at Shen Shutong who was tied to a pillar.
The man took several photos from different angles to ensure that her face, her bound hands, and the dilapidated surroundings were clearly visible.
After taking the photo, the man walked to the other side of the warehouse and started dialing on the old-fashioned mobile phone.
Shen Shutong's heart sank to the bottom. They were fabricating evidence for blackmail and sending it to Fu Jingchuan. She could almost imagine how Fu Jingchuan would react when he saw these photos. He was pregnant, and his emotions absolutely could not fluctuate greatly...
On the other side, Fu Jingchuan's villa was in a mess.
The police had arrived and were urgently setting up equipment in the living room. Fu Jingchuan's face was frighteningly pale, one hand firmly pressing against his heavy, sinking abdomen, the other resting on the armrest of the sofa. He tried to remain lucid and calm, but his slightly trembling body and the cold sweat that continued to seep from his forehead betrayed his extreme panic and physical discomfort.
"What about the surveillance footage at the key intersection leading from the sanatorium to the main road? Have you checked it?" he asked the technicians and his own assistant who were busy at their laptops.
The assistant looked up, his expression extremely grim. "Mr. Fu, the transportation department just replied... the surveillance camera at that intersection... was reported for repair yesterday afternoon! The maintenance records show that someone was only dispatched this morning to address it. The data... the data may have been overwritten. We're trying to recover it, but there's little hope..."
"What?!" Fu Jingchuan took a deep breath, and then felt a sharp tightening sensation in his lower abdomen. He groaned and curled up his body.
"Mr. Fu! Take care of yourself!" Aunt Wang next to him was so scared that she quickly supported him.
"It's okay..." Fu Jingchuan gritted his teeth to endure the lingering pain of the contraction, but his eyes turned red, "Why did it break yesterday and it was repaired today?! How can it be such a coincidence!"
"We've sent people to look for possible private surveillance along the road, but that section of the road is quite remote and there's little hope." The assistant's voice was also filled with powerlessness.
The police captain's face was solemn. "Their methods are very sophisticated. The route and time they chose were carefully calculated, making it very likely they avoided effective surveillance. We can only investigate the motive for the extortion and the potential enemies. Mr. Fu, has Miss Shen had any business grudges recently? Or, do you have any..."
The captain didn't finish his words, but his meaning was obvious. Fu Jingchuan had been having a very unhappy relationship with the Fu family recently, and everyone knew about it...
Fu Jingchuan felt a little breathless. If it was really Fu Yannian... he couldn't imagine what that madman would do to Shu Tong! Was he trying to extort money, or was he simply trying to get revenge on him?
Fu Jingchuan's cell phone suddenly rang, breaking the suffocating atmosphere.
It's a completely unfamiliar number!
Everyone's attention was instantly focused on the phone!
The technical police immediately made a gesture, indicating that they were ready to track, and then nodded to Fu Jingchuan.
Fu Jingchuan tried his best to suppress the sob in his throat, pressed the answer button, and turned on the hands-free mode.
"Hello."
There was silence on the other end of the phone for a few seconds, and then a strange electronic voice, obviously processed by a voice changer, came out:
"Fu Jingchuan?"
"It's me. Who are you? Where is Shutong?" Fu Jingchuan asked hurriedly.
"Listen," the electronic voice interrupted him emotionlessly, "If you want your woman alive, prepare 500 million in cash. Old bills, non-consecutive numbers, packed in bags. Specific delivery method will be announced later. If you dare to call the police, expect to collect her body."
"I want to hear her voice! Let me make sure she is safe!" Fu Jingchuan asked immediately.
The other party seemed to sneer, and the electronic voice sounded particularly strange: "Wait."
After a slight noise, Shen Shutong's voice came from the other end of the phone, sounding a little far away: "Jingchuan! Don't worry! They..."
Before she could finish her words, she seemed to be rudely interrupted and heard a muffled groan.
"Shutong! Shutong!" Fu Jingchuan shouted into the phone, his eyes instantly turning red.
The electronic voice sounded again: "Did you hear that? She's still alive. If you want her safe and sound, just do as I say. Remember, only cash. I'll give you 12 hours to prepare. We'll be in touch. No tricks."
After saying that, he didn't give Fu Jingchuan any chance to speak again and hung up the phone!
"Hello?! Hello!" Fu Jingchuan yelled at the disconnected phone, shaking with anger.
Almost the next second after the call was hung up, his phone vibrated several times in succession.
Several MMS messages were received.
Fu Jingchuan pointed his finger and opened——
Shen Shutong was tied tightly to a rusted iron pillar with rough hemp rope. Her hair was a little messy, and there was a red mark on her chin from being roughly pinched. Her eyes were calm, with only a hint of worry looking away from the camera.
The photo was like a sharp knife cruelly stirring in Fu Jingchuan's heart!
"Ugh!" He suddenly covered his abdomen which was cramping violently. This time the contraction came violently and rapidly. The pain made his eyes go black and his body curled up uncontrollably.
"Jingchuan!"
"Mr. Fu!"
Aunt Wang and the assistant rushed forward in horror to support him.
Fu Jingchuan gasped for breath, his face pale as paper. The severe pain in his abdomen became more and more intense, almost draining all his strength. He gritted his teeth and held his hands tightly to protect his falling abdomen.
"Mr. Fu!" Aunt Wang hurriedly helped him lie down. "How are you? Don't scare me!"
Assistant Amy's face also turned pale, and she said anxiously: "Boss Fu! You must calm down! Take a deep breath! Boss Shen is still waiting for you! You can't fall down first!"
"Amy," Fu Jingchuan paused for a moment, the movement in his abdomen subsiding a little, "Contact Dr. Zhang and ask him to come over immediately. Don't make any noise and come in through the side door." Dr. Zhang was the chief physician in charge of his prenatal checkups. He knew his condition well and had signed a strict confidentiality agreement.
"Yes! I'll do it right away!" Amy immediately walked aside to make a phone call.
Fu Jingchuan looked at the police chief and said, "Officer, I will start raising funds immediately. To mobilize such a large amount of non-consecutive banknotes in such a short period of time will take time and require special access to the banking system. I ask your people to use this time to track the source of the signal and analyze the possible location of the other party. However, all actions must be based on the absolute safety of my wife. No rash action can be taken without my consent."
The officer nodded solemnly, "Understood, Mr. Fu. We will. Please take care of yourself, too."
Fu Jingchuan nodded slightly, then looked at his core assistants and financial director. They had already received the news and rushed over, and were now holding their breath and waiting.
"Immediately activate Emergency Fund Plan A." Fu Jingchuan gave the order in a clear voice. "Contact the presidents of the three major banks we work closely with. In the name of Jingjing and Shen's Union, urgently allocate 500 million in cash, old banknotes. Require non-consecutive numbers and be packed in different money transport bags. Utilize all available channels and connections. We must assemble within..." He glanced at his watch, "... within ten hours. Observe the confidentiality clause during the process, but you can hint at the importance of the matter in exchange for the highest priority."
"Yes! Mr. Fu!" Several people immediately started making phone calls.
After making all these arrangements, Fu Jingchuan leaned back into the sofa cushions, closed his eyes, and gasped for breath. The tightness in his abdomen continued, and the pain hadn't subsided, but it was slightly less severe than the previous pain. He knew that this was only temporary, and the dual pressure of emotions and body could trigger another strong contraction at any time.
Aunt Wang quickly handed him some warm water and some food. He ate a little reluctantly. The child was making a lot of noise and he really had no appetite.
In less than 20 minutes, Dr. Zhang arrived with a nurse and a medical kit. He briefly examined Fu Jingchuan's condition and his face was solemn.
"The contractions are very frequent and quite intense. The fetal heart rate is a bit rapid, and the baby is a bit stressed." Doctor Zhang signaled the nurse to give him low-flow oxygen and injected him with a mild drug to suppress the contractions. "Mr. Fu, you must lie down and rest immediately. You must not allow any major emotional fluctuations to occur. Otherwise, there is a high risk of premature labor, and even... placental abruption."
Fu Jingchuan comforted the child in her belly: "I know. Give me the best medicine and the fastest method to keep me awake, at least... until I can take her back. Nothing can happen to the child, and nothing can happen to her!"
Doctor Zhang looked at the stubborn determination in his eyes and nodded heavily, "I'll do my best. But you must cooperate, try to relax, and take deep breaths."
The drug slowly took effect, and the tightness in his abdomen gradually eased, but the heavy feeling of falling still existed. Fu Jingchuan adjusted his breathing cooperatively, but his eyes kept wandering to the phone beside him.
Time passed by minute by minute, and every second seemed like torture.
There is constant news on the progress of fund mobilization. Despite numerous difficulties, it is progressing at an astonishing speed thanks to the full efforts of the two companies.
The police's technical tracking had hit a wall. The target used a disposable encrypted communication device with an extremely wide range, ultimately disappearing in an abandoned industrial area on the outskirts of the city. The area was vast, with numerous warehouses and factories. A thorough investigation would require significant time and manpower, and would be highly likely to alert the suspect.
Everyone's heart was hanging in the air, and the air was filled with silent anxiety.
“Ding! Ding!…”
Fu Jingchuan's phone rang again!
Everyone's nerves tensed up instantly!
Fu Jingchuan quickly picked up the phone and turned on the speakerphone.
"Is the money ready?" A cold electronic voice.
"We are mobilizing all our forces. It will take time. I need to hear my wife's voice again."
The other party was silent for a moment, as if evaluating. After a moment, Shen Shutong's voice came, a little tired: "Jingchuan, I'm fine... Don't worry, take care of yourself... They seem to be moving to another place..."
The words were cut off again.
An electronic voice rang out: "Listen, change the delivery method. Tomorrow morning at 7:00, the abandoned Third Freight Terminal in the eastern suburbs, Warehouse 7. You, alone, drive the car and bring the money. If we discover a second person, or any tracking device, we will kill the hostages immediately."
Going alone?!
Everyone's heart trembled! This was too dangerous! The other party was obviously trying to completely cut off his contact with the outside world and possible rescue!
Fu Jingchuan's pupils shrank slightly. In his current state, driving alone to a strange and abandoned dock was undoubtedly a huge risk, not only for himself, but also for the child in his belly.
But the other party did not give him any room for bargaining.
"Okay." Fu Jingchuan agreed immediately, "I will be there on time. Let me see her leave safely."
"You'll see it when you get there. Remember, you're alone." The electronic voice sneered and hung up the phone.
The phone was hung up and the room was dead silent.
"Mr. Fu! You can't go alone!" Assistant Amy was the first to object. "It's too dangerous! Your body can't withstand such an ordeal! And this is clearly a trap!"
The police chief also looked serious: "Mr. Fu, this is not in compliance with security procedures. We must set up surveillance around the area to ensure your safety."
Fu Jingchuan slowly shook his head, his eyes swept over everyone and finally fell on his bulging belly.
"The fact that they want me to go alone just shows they're afraid—of the police, afraid of any accidents. This shows their core goal is still to make money, and they're not absolutely confident in the secrecy of Shutong's location," he analyzed calmly. "If I go alone, it will actually lower their guard, buying you time and space to set up perimeter surveillance."
He took a deep breath, enduring another dull pain, and continued, "Officer, your men can sneak into the dock area ahead of time, but they must maintain an absolute distance. Without my signal, they must not approach Warehouse 7. Amy, coordinate and have the doctor stay with the rescue convoy at a distance."
His decision seemed risky, but it was the choice he could make to ensure Shen Shutong's safety to the greatest extent possible under extremely unfavorable conditions.
The assistant and the police did not try to persuade him any further.
They understood that he had made up his mind.
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The author has something to say: Sorry for being late, my dears, we are a bit busy after the holiday.
The kidnapping may not be written in a particularly professional and reasonable way, so just watch it for entertainment.
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