Chapter 185 Working for Free
"Alright, just spit it out!" Cynthia said, frowning.
"Ms. Phillips, I'm really sorry about today. I've decided to give back all your bar shares," Yancy replied.
He knew James wanted to keep his identity secret, so he was careful with his words.
Cynthia was taken aback and then asked, "Yancy, what do you mean? What happened between you and James has nothing to do with me. James hit you, not me. Why are you giving back the bar shares? Without your shares, the bar can't run. Are you trying to shut it down?"
Cynthia had a hunch Yancy would do this. After all, he got beaten by a waiter from her bar today, which must have been humiliating. But he couldn't go after Janet, so he targeted Cynthia instead.
Cynthia felt Yancy was basically saying, "I'm done managing your place. If anything goes wrong, don't come to me."
That was why she glanced at Janet when Yancy called her.
Yancy quickly clarified, "Ms. Phillips, don't get me wrong! Returning the shares doesn't mean I won't manage the bar. I'll still handle things if anything happens. Starting tomorrow, I'll personally oversee your bar, but I don't want the shares anymore."
Yancy's face changed dramatically, and he explained in an agitated tone.
"Are you saying you'll give me back all your shares in the bar and that you'll still take care of any problems that come up?" Cynthia asked, calming down but still doubtful.
"Exactly. Ms. Phillips, don't worry. From now on, your bar's business is my business. I'll make sure no one causes trouble," Yancy assured.
"Yancy, what are you really up to?" Cynthia asked, confused.
"Ms. Phillips, I've been clear. I'll help manage the bar but don't want the shares. I'll bring the transfer contract tomorrow," Yancy said softly.
Cynthia was momentarily stunned, realizing Yancy was offering to work for free.
"Why are you doing this?" Cynthia asked.
"No reason," Yancy replied with a smile. "Let's talk more tomorrow."
He hung up, leaving Cynthia puzzled.
"What's wrong?" Janet asked softly, noticing Cynthia's expression.
"Janet, did you ask Yancy to return the shares to me?" Cynthia asked, looking at Janet with doubt.
"Of course not. Yancy might be scared of me, but I can't make him give back the shares. Your bar's shares are worth a lot," Janet replied calmly.
"Then why did Yancy suddenly return the shares?" Cynthia asked, even more puzzled.
Janet's expression turned strange, but she hesitated and said nothing.
Meanwhile, after Terry dropped him off, James was ambushed before he could enter the elevator. He was knocked out and taken away in a van.
James slowly regained consciousness after about half an hour. When he opened his eyes, he found himself in complete darkness, likely because his eyes were covered with a black cloth. He could tell he was in a vehicle and occasionally heard people talking.
James hesitated, then shouted, "Who are you? Why did you kidnap me?"
The car was filled with an oppressive silence, with no one responding to James' questions.
"What do you want? If it's money, I can give it to you right now!" James struggled when no one responded.
The young man next to him punched James in the stomach and said, "Stay quiet, or you'll regret it!"
James quieted down, trying to figure out who might have kidnapped him.
James' first thought was that the most likely kidnapper was the rival Charles had mentioned.
But James quickly dismissed this theory. If the rival really wanted to go after the inheritance, they would have just killed him outright. There was no need for this elaborate kidnapping.
'Could someone have found out my identity and kidnapped me for money?' James wondered, thinking about who knew his identity and had the guts to act against him.
Soon, the vehicle braked suddenly and came to a stop.
"We're here. Get out!" the young man shouted, dragging James out.
"Can you take off the blindfold? It's hurting my eyes," James asked softly.
"Shut up!" The young man smacked James on the head and led him into a warehouse. Inside, James was tied to a chair.
The young man sighed and said, "Finally done!"
"Who are you? Why did you kidnap me?" James asked, still blindfolded.
A familiar voice spoke, "James, are you scared?" followed by the sound of high heels clicking on the floor.
A woman walked up and removed his blindfold. James was stunned, his face full of disbelief.
"It's you?" he shouted in shock.
"What? Surprised to see me?" The woman smiled playfully.
