Chapter 53 Doting Fury
The man was taken aback for a few seconds. Then he burst into mocking laughter. "Carter, honestly? What, the CEO of Gaia BioTech Industries is your son-in-law? Man, you've got some nerve bragging like that."
"Why don't you go ahead and claim the President of the United States is your son-in-law?" He slapped Carter on the head, adding insult to injury.
Panicking, Carter turned to Jessica. "Jessica, tell him! Do you have any idea where they're planning to take you?"
"Where to?" Jessica asked, defiantly.
"They're going to sell you to a brothel to entertain men," Carter said through clenched teeth.
Jessica’s head shot up in disbelief, staring at the man. "That's illegal. You have no right to traffic me or force me into anything."
The man glanced at her as his face twisted in mockery.
At that moment, Carter grabbed the man's arm and hastily dialed Gabriel on his phone.
"Hello..."
Hearing it was Carter, Gabriel's tone was icy cold.
"Dear son-in-law, it's your father-in-law speaking," Carter responded with feigned politeness.
"What do you want?" Gabriel's lack of immediate denial made the man release Jessica, now intrigued and listening.
He began to wonder, could the CEO of Gaia BioTech Industries truly be Carter's son-in-law?
"I'm in deep trouble... I owe some money, and they're threatening to hurt me if I don't pay up—"
Before Carter could finish, Gabriel cut him off, "That's none of my concern."
Just as he was about to hang up, Carter's voice burst through urgently, "They've taken Jessica, they're demanding a ransom."
"Where are you?" Gabriel shot up from his chair. "Give me the address."
With the address in hand, Gabriel grabbed his coat and stormed out.
In the car, Gabriel's expression was so icy it could freeze someone solid. His lips pressed into a tight line, he sat in silence, an aura of chilling determination surrounding him, his normally handsome face now clouded with an ominous gloom.
He was itching to see who was bold enough to use his wife Jessica as a bargaining chip. They were treading on dangerous ground.
Twenty minutes later.
When Jessica laid eyes on Gabriel, she almost thought she was hallucinating.
"Jessica."
"Gabriel." Both voices overlapped.
Overjoyed, Jessica ran toward him but was blocked after only a few steps.
"Move," Gabriel commanded with a voice so cold it could terrify the bravest of souls.
The man blocking Jessica shivered and obediently stepped aside, allowing her to be enveloped in Gabriel's embrace.
Only when she was in his arms, listening to his heartbeat, inhaling his familiar scent, did Jessica truly believe he was there. He had truly come for her.
"Scared?" he murmured gently, stroking her hair.
Jessica nodded, hugging him tighter.
Not until Jessica had calmed down did Gabriel place a tender kiss on her forehead and coaxed her, "Go wait in the car. I'll handle things here."
"I don't want to leave. Can I just watch from here? I promise I won't get in the way," She pleaded.
In her heart, she was worried.
Not about saying goodbye to Carter, but because Giselle had implored her with her dying breaths to save his life, even if she despised the man.
How could she forget Giselle's last wishes?
"Sweetheart, please wait in the car. I promise I'll be with you in ten minutes," Gabriel coaxed again, his voice dripping with affection. Jessica nodded in agreement and headed to the car.
Once she was gone, Gabriel casually took off his coat.
Oscar brought over a chair, and Gabriel seated himself with innate regal composure, his left leg crossed over his right, exuding a natural air of authority that demanded respect.
At Gabriel's subtle lift of an eyebrow, Oscar got the cue and quietly closed the door, sealing the room.
The man was still in a daze, taking an eternity to stagger over to Gabriel, wearing an apologetic smile. "Gabriel, it really is you. I didn't recognize you and almost hurt Jessica. Please punish me as you see fit."
"But Carter—" Suddenly realizing something, the man immediately corrected himself, "Your father-in-law owes us one point eight million, it's been three months, and he just won't pay up. It's only fair to settle debts—surely you stand for justice."
"You want it back, huh?" Gabriel's piercing gaze fixed on the man.
Nodding eagerly, the man replied, "Yes, of course, I want it back."
"Fine. Just do as I say." Gabriel raised a finger, sweeping it around the room, eventually landing on Carter. "Give him a thrashing."
"Huh, Gabriel?" The man was utterly confused.
"Can't you understand what I'm saying?" Gabriel's voice rose, clearly angry now.
"Just do what Gabriel says," Oscar chimed in from the side.
Suddenly catching on, the man waved his hand, motioning his guys to pounce on Carter, pummeling him relentlessly.
Fists rained down on Carter like a storm.
Soon, he curled up, begging in pain, "Son-in-law, what's going on? You've got it wrong, it wasn't me—it was them who kidnapped Jessica."
"Keep going." Gabriel didn't even glance as he spoke, his voice growing colder.
"Please, it hurts, make them stop," Carter pleaded.
Five minutes later, Gabriel called it off.
Carter's face was swollen and bruised, as he lay on the floor, a crumpled mound of misery. Gasping in pain, he looked at Gabriel, "Son-in-law, I think there's been a mistake."
"There's no mistake," Gabriel stood tall, looking down at Carter. "Without Jessica, you are nothing to me—just a lump of dirt that I wouldn't even bother to look at if you died in the street."
"I've been merciful to you, considering that you're Jessica's father," he remarked.
"Don't think I don't know it was you who orchestrated her coming here today. But involving her in your schemes, well, that was your biggest mistake. Carter, I've squared your debt today, but let there not be a next time. If you do this again, I won't even bat an eye, even if they chop off all your limbs. Got it?" Gabriel chastised, coldly.
Carter nodded frantically, tears streaming down his face, "I understand, thank you, deeply."
Gabriel extended the check to the man, "Here's two million. The extra twenty thousand is to keep an eye on him. If he gambles again, deal with him as you wish—no need to report back."
The man took the check and nodded earnestly, "Gabriel, trust me, I'll do as you say."
At this moment, Carter was sweating bullets.
Suddenly, Gabriel sprang into action, swiftly grabbing the man's wrist and executing a brutal shoulder throw.
The man's howls filled the room instantly.
"This is what you get for abducting her," Gabriel said angrily.
"Everybody out," he ordered.
In the car, Jessica was anxiously waiting. Seeing Gabriel approach, she breathed a sigh of relief and quickened her pace to meet him.
"What happened?" Jessica asked, her voice thick with urgency.
Unexpectedly, Gabriel stopped, pointing to his cheek. Jessica stared blankly at what seemed an eternity before she caught on.
Oscar, with a mischievous grin, nudged her, "Aren't you going to show some gratitude, Jessica?"
Turning toward Gabriel, realization dawned on her instantly. So, he wanted her to kiss him?
