Chapter 510 Negotiation
The chances of Dean rescuing them were slim. By the time he found help, Diana and Benjamin might already be dead.
As much as Diana hated to admit it, their best option was to call Charles for help.
"Long time no see, Ms. Spencer."
The sound of high heels clicking on the concrete floor echoed as a woman appeared at the doorway.
The two men in black followed her, making it clear she was the mastermind behind today's events.
Diana was momentarily stunned when she saw the woman's face.
Stella? How could it be her?
But thinking back to what the men in black had said, it made sense.
Only Stella would think Diana had stolen Charles from her.
Stella looked stunning today, not at all like someone who would hire kidnappers.
Her black dress was perfectly tailored, accentuating her figure. Her curly hair cascaded over her shoulders, making her look like a beautiful Barbie doll.
Everything about her was perfect, even her nails.
If only those nails hadn't scratched Diana's cheek.
"Why do people say I look like you? Clearly, I'm the prettier one."
As she spoke, she grabbed Diana's face, her nails digging into the swollen skin, making Diana gasp in pain.
Sensing Diana's discomfort, Stella twisted her fingers harder.
Only when Diana was sweating and looking utterly disheveled did Stella finally let go, satisfied.
"Ms. Spencer, you were so arrogant back then. Did you ever think you'd end up like this?"
Diana frowned, squinting at her.
"Ms. White, I swear, I've never wronged you."
She tugged at her aching mouth, warning, "Ms. White, what you're doing now is kidnapping. Let me and the child go, and I can pretend this never happened."
Stella burst into laughter, her voice echoing in the empty warehouse.
"Ms. Spencer, do you think I'm an idiot? Let you go so you can get back at me?"
She yanked Diana's hair.
"Five years! I've lived in your shadow every day. Even when you were supposedly dead, I couldn't find peace. Why did you have to come back and take my man? And you say we have no grudges?"
Benjamin bit his lip, wanting to curse at the woman, but he had more important things to do.
In a hidden angle, he carefully rubbed the screen of his watch.
He wasn't sure if he could reach Charles, but with few contacts in his phone, it was worth a shot.
"Ms. White, before you kidnapped me, I was with Charles. Now that I'm missing, he'll definitely come looking. Let me go, and that's your best option."
Diana didn't want to argue with Stella about Charles. Charles wasn't here, and everything stemmed from Stella's love-struck mind.
Diana believed she had been kind enough to Stella.
Stella had been her stand-in for years, almost marrying Charles, but then Diana was discovered.
Because of this, Diana felt some guilt towards Stella. Otherwise, with her temper, ten Stellas wouldn't be enough for her to play with.
Now, reality hit Diana hard. If she hadn't been so merciful, she wouldn't be in this kidnapping mess.
"Stop pretending. Didn't you say you wanted to leave Charles? If you suddenly disappear today, he'll just think you wanted to leave him."
Stella casually looked at her nails, then smiled at Diana.
"You say you don't like him, but you always play hard to get. Charles falls for it every time. Isn't it fun to treat men like dogs?"
Before Diana could respond, Stella's smile vanished, and she slapped her again.
This slap was lighter than the ones from the men in black earlier.
Diana forced a smile through the pain, trying to reason with her.
"You can hate me, but the kid is innocent. Let him go. He's the only child of the Percy family. If something happens to him, you can't bear the consequences."
Stella raised an eyebrow and walked over to Benjamin.
"What are you doing? Don't touch him!"
Diana's voice instinctively rose as Stella moved unpredictably.
Benjamin froze, his small face tense as he stared back at Stella.
Stella wrinkled her nose in disgust, remembering how this child had embarrassed her before.
Now that he was in her hands, it was her lucky day.
"The only child of the Percy family was taken by you. What does that have to do with me?"
Stella said as she reached out to pinch Benjamin's arm.
The child's tender skin quickly turned red under her grip.
Benjamin held back his pain, his eyes filling with tears as he glared at her.
Stella didn't have a habit of abusing children. She pinched him because his gaze annoyed her.
Seeing him about to cry, she let go.
She suddenly turned around, her dress swirling in a beautiful arc.
"Actually, I'm still unsure what to do with you."
Stella seemed to be genuinely thinking, biting her nails with a conflicted expression.
Diana couldn't see her face clearly, but the scene reminded her of Clara.
She hoped Stella would just send her abroad, so she could escape Charles and take Benjamin with her.
If things went that way, Diana swore she wouldn't seek revenge on Stella. She'd even thank her for being so kind.
"Ah! I got it."
Stella's eyes lit up as she turned back to them, her face beaming with a smile, but her words were chilling.
"How about you both die? We're in the countryside; we can bury you right here."
Stella, once an actress, delivered the line like a commercial.
Diana couldn't tell if she was serious, forcing herself to stay calm and probe.
"Ms. White, you're still young. You don't need a murder on your conscience. You can send me away, and I promise never to return. I swear, I'll take the child with me too."
"Swear? What good is your word?" Stella sneered, disdainful.
"This isn't Evergreen City. There have been a few murders nearby recently. If you die, the police will just think you were unlucky."
If she helped Diana leave the country, Charles would definitely find out. She couldn't guarantee Diana wouldn't come back.
She needed to eliminate the threat permanently.
Diana recalled recent news reports about a serial killer in Elverton.
The murders were brutal, and the killer hadn't been caught.
The severity of the crimes and the proximity to Evergreen City had everyone on edge.
Too meticulous.
That was Diana's first thought. This kidnapping wasn't impulsive; it had been planned for a long time.
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