Chapter 129 A Singular Plea
With a jolt, Paige was wrenched from the throes of her nightmare, her murmurs of distress stirring Raymond from his slumber. He rose, his gaze settling on Paige as she perched on the edge of the bed, her skin slick with perspiration. "Is something amiss? Was it a nightmare?" he inquired.With a shaky hand, Paige swiped the sweat from her brow, her breath coming in ragged gasps. "I dreamt of my grandfather."A look of confusion crossed Raymond's face. "The esteemed Dr. Bradley of the Sackler family?"Paige shook her head in negation. "No, the humble country doctor who raised me. You should have done your research, you know who he is."Raymond did indeed know. However, Dr. Bradley had passed away during Paige's incarceration. Since her release, she had not found the strength to return to her childhood home."You miss him," Raymond surmised, offering her a tissue in a feeble attempt to provide comfort. Paige dabbed at her forehead. "I fear he is disappointed in me. Despite being raised by his son and daughter-in-law, it was he who cared for me all those years. I failed to bid him farewell, and I haven't visited since my departure. The fault is entirely mine."A profound sense of guilt washed over her. The Sacklers had discarded her, relegating her to a remote village. They had claimed she was their relative, but in reality, the villagers were merely former employees of the Sacklers.The couple who raised her, unable to have children of their own and with Margaret's clear distaste for Paige, had agreed to take her in.At first, they had treated Paige kindly, but once they had children of their own, their attention toward Paige waned.Without Bradley's intervention, Paige might have remained uneducated and forgotten in the countryside.Awoken by her nightmare, sleep eluded Paige.Raymond, at her side, offered words of comfort. "Don't fret, he loved you. He wouldn't hold it against you. Perhaps the dream was a reminder to stay safe. Once we return to the U.S., I'll accompany you to visit his grave."Paige nodded in agreement.Bradley, an extraordinary healer, had spent his years in seclusion in the valleys, much to the benefit of the common folk who relied on his services.Paige, in pursuit of the Sacklers' antidote, found herself trapped in a shipping container, dreaming of the old man.It appeared as though fate was weaving its intricate web in mysterious ways."I suspect this situation is more complex than it appears; we must tread carefully," Paige mused.The timing of her dream was peculiar; perhaps it served as a warning.She reflected on the healing skills Bradley had imparted to her. Despite lacking formal recognition or a degree, he had managed to impress the renowned Sullivan. To call him a miracle doctor would not be an exaggeration.After a mere three to four hours of sleep, Paige found herself unable to remain in bed. She and Raymond sat upright, wrapped in blankets, discussing their predicament. Despite their efforts, they failed to reach any concrete conclusions, given their lack of contact with the outside world.As dawn broke, both Paige and Raymond were struck by a wave of hunger, a consequence of their sleepless night.With the limited ingredients at her disposal, Paige prepared a simple breakfast.It was a humble meal, and with her mind consumed by their situation, she ate sparingly.Just as they finished their meal, sounds from outside drew their attention.Without sparing a moment to tidy up, Paige rushed to the window. Although the window was sealed shut, a small crack allowed for ventilation. Through this narrow gap, it was possible to observe the comings and goings outside."Someone is approaching; they might finally release us today."Paige was uncertain of the intentions of their captors, but she knew that keeping her and Raymond confined indefinitely would not benefit them. Negotiations could only commence once they were free.As anticipated, the sound of a lock being disengaged echoed from outside the container. Then, the doors swung open.Paige, no stranger to combat, assumed a defensive stance at the entrance, ready for any confrontation. However, the sight of several dozen men clad in black suits, resembling private security, caused her to reconsider.Despite her confidence in her fighting abilities, she had to consider Raymond. His disability hindered his mobility, and Paige had to contemplate not only her potential victory over the assailants but also how she would ensure Raymond's safe escape.
In the face of uncertainty regarding Raymond's safe extraction, Paige was acutely aware that any rash action on her part could prove disastrous. She was more than capable of extracting herself from the predicament, but such a move would leave Raymond in a perilous situation. Raymond had been fully cognizant of the risks when he had elected to accompany her on this perilous endeavor. Paige was overwhelmed by a profound sense of loyalty and gratitude toward him, a sentiment that strictly prohibited her from leaving him to face danger alone. As the group made their entrance, their gazes were unwaveringly fixed on Paige and Raymond. It was only after the security detail had assumed their positions that a woman made her appearance. She sauntered in, garbed in a fur coat and a mermaid skirt, her face heavily made up, and the click of her high heels echoing ominously on the ground. Without any hesitation, the woman approached Paige, scrutinizing her before a wry smile spread across her face. "Beauty can be a curse; a beautiful woman is often a man's downfall," she declared. Her gaze then shifted to Raymond. Paige immediately comprehended the insinuation in the woman's words. Paige was the "curse," and Raymond, fully aware of the danger, had followed her into the lion's den nonetheless. Paige's expression hardened. All their previous interactions had been conducted over the phone, with the woman's voice disguised. Paige had never anticipated that their adversary would be a woman. Now, the woman had turned her attention to Raymond. The woman's smile broadened as she observed Raymond in his wheelchair. She placed a hand on the armrest of the chair and circled around him. "Raymond, you control a vast portion of the Hawke Corporation's resources," she said. Paige pivoted to face the woman directly. The woman, cognizant of Paige's penetrating gaze, didn't bother to return her stare. Instead, she continued, "Mr. Carnegie has managed the Hawke Corporation's overseas business so well, he's even collaborated with some of the world's top-ranking families. It's quite enviable."Raymond retorted, "And yet here we are, with everything falling into the hands of you people, right?"The woman laughed, "Well, for that we have to thank your wife, correct? Paige, Mrs. Hawke?"Paige was taken aback; she hadn't expected that the other party was unaware of her alias, Xanthe. So, this entire affair was truly aimed at Raymond. Upon hearing this, Raymond grasped the underlying message. Paige's brow furrowed in consternation while Raymond cast a glance in her direction. He then addressed the woman, "Whatever you want to extract from me, I have only one condition."The woman erupted into laughter, "Hahaha... Raymond, you're so straightforward. Let me guess, your condition wouldn't happen to be that I release your beautiful wife?"
