Shen Yanshan stared at Xiaoling's trembling eyelashes on the screen, the tears streaming down her face, and her tightly pressed lips—all of which pierced his heart like needles. His hands clenched into fists, his knuckles turning white from the force. A powerful urge to protect her surged within him. He knew he had to act quickly to rescue Xiaoling and their child. He took a deep breath, trying to calm himself, and said, "Xiaoling, don't worry, I will definitely get you out. Wait for me, I'll call the police right away and send someone to rescue you."
Xiaoling's heart tightened when she heard Shen Yanshan say he was going to call the police. She knew that if Shen Yanshan called the police, her plan would fail, and she would be in even greater danger. So, she quickly stopped him, saying, "No! Ah Shan, you can't call the police!"
Shen Yanshan was stunned when he heard Xiaoling's words. He looked at Xiaoling on the screen, a hint of doubt and confusion flashing in his eyes. "Why? Xiaoling, why won't you let me call the police?" he asked.
"Mr. Shen, if you call the police, your woman and the child in your womb will both die!" The bodyguard was really ruthless when playing the role of a kidnapper, and his tone was vicious.
Upon hearing the bodyguard's words, Shen Yanshan's face instantly turned ashen. He glared angrily at the screen, as if trying to see right through the kidnappers on the other side. "This is a society governed by law! If you dare to harm Xiaoling and the child, I will never let you get away with it!" he roared.
The bodyguard sneered, pulled out a knife, and brandished it at Xiaoling's face. Xiaoling screamed in fright and tightly closed her eyes.
The tip of the knife gently pressed against Xiaoling's swollen cheek, slowly sliding back and forth. With each movement of the knife tip, Shen Yanshan's heart clenched painfully. Xiaoling closed her eyes tightly, tears streaming down her cheeks, her body trembling with fear and pain.
The bodyguard looked at Shen Yanshan on the other end of the screen and chuckled. His laughter was full of mockery and cruelty, as if he were enjoying a good show. "Mr. Shen, if you don't want to see her face more mangled than mine, you'd better get the money ready. I want fifty million, not a penny less." He said viciously, every word revealing his greed and cruelty.
Shen Yanshan was pale, his forehead covered in large beads of sweat. His eyes were filled with anger and despair.
"Do you even know how much fifty million is? You really dare to ask for that!" Shen Yanshan shouted through gritted teeth, his voice filled with anger and helplessness. He knew he had to raise the money as soon as possible to save Xiaoling and the child, but fifty million was no small sum, and he needed time to raise it.
"Mr. Shen has no money? How could that be? You're the former father-in-law of the Gu family. Who would believe you if you said you had no money?" the bodyguard sneered. He pressed the knife against Xiaoling's abdomen and said in a low voice, "Mr. Shen, tell me, if my knife just goes in like this, do you think your son can take it?"
Xiaoling trembled violently upon hearing the bodyguard's words. She opened her eyes and looked at Shen Yanshan. Her eyes were filled with pleading and despair, as if she were begging Shen Yanshan for help. Looking at Xiaoling's eyes on the screen, Shen Yanshan instantly recalled the times she had been by his side, always so restrained and gentle. For a moment, Shen Yanshan felt a pang of anguish, and he resolved to save her at all costs!
“Fine! I promise to give you the money!” Shen Yanshan said through gritted teeth. “However, you must guarantee the safety of Xiaoling and the child.” His voice was firm and resolute, as if he were ready to go through fire and water.
The bodyguard smiled smugly. "Mr. Shen, don't worry. As long as you have the money ready, we will naturally guarantee the safety of Xiaoling and the child."
"Of course, if you dare call the police, you can expect to be collecting your woman and son's corpses! Send me a message once you've prepared the money." Without waiting for a response from Shen Yanshan, the bodyguard abruptly ended the video chat.
Shen Meiyan rose leisurely from her chair, her movements light yet exuding an air of arrogant confidence. She gave a self-deprecating smirk, a glint of cunning in her eyes. "Looks like I guessed right. You really do hold a significant place in my dad's heart! Heh," she chuckled, "That's good. If you didn't have that kind of influence, I wouldn't have gotten so much money from the old man. Don't worry, my dad will definitely find a way to scrape together the money."
Xiaoling felt a pang of worry as she listened to Shen Meiyan's words. She pursed her lips and asked cautiously, "After you get the money, will you really keep your promise and let me go?" Her voice was weak and trembling, revealing her fear and unease.
Shen Meiyan looked at Xiaoling's worried eyes and frowned disdainfully. "I've said it before, I'm not a murderer. For your measly six million, I'd risk my entire life? Am I crazy?"
Xiaoling was startled by Shen Meiyan's reaction, and she quickly explained, "That's not what I meant, I was just worried..."
"What are you worried about?" Shen Meiyan interrupted Xiaoling, her eyes narrowing as she smiled. "Are you worried that I'll kill you after I get the money? Don't worry, I won't do that. Just stay here quietly for a few more days, and I'll get you a new identity. Go abroad and don't come back to Nancheng. As long as you do as I say, I promise I won't make things difficult for you."
Looking at Shen Meiyan's unpredictable expression, Xiaoling felt a chill run down her spine. She knew she was completely under Shen Meiyan's control, and she had no choice but to obey whatever she said. She could only silently pray that Shen Meiyan would keep her promise and release her.
A twisted hatred flashed across Shen Meiyan's face. Her eyes seemed to spit flames as she stared intently at Xiaoling. Her voice was filled with malice and hatred, every word as if dug from an ice cellar, cold and piercing.
"I really hate you. I hate people like you who always destroy other people's families and make their lives miserable." She said these words almost through gritted teeth, as if every word was uttered with all her might.
Then, a mocking smile appeared on her lips. That smile was full of self-deprecation and irony, as if she were mocking her own incompetence and pathetic state.
"But what can I blame you for?" she murmured to herself, her voice filled with deep helplessness and sorrow. Then, she looked up at Xiaoling and continued, "I myself am actually the product of breaking up someone else's family. My mother was a mistress who rose to power, using her gentleness to break down my father's defenses. Now, seeing you pregnant, I really feel like this is karma!"
Her tone was filled with bitterness and self-deprecation. She seemed to feel a touch of shame about her birth and existence. Then, she took a deep breath, trying to calm herself.
"Consider it retribution," she said with a sneer. "So I won't make things difficult for you. I don't want to get blood on my hands; otherwise, I'll never have peace for the rest of my life. Rather than that, I'll give you some money and let you go, out of sight, out of mind."
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