CHAPTER 118: BRANDED AS MILLIONAIRES

I am really doubting the credibility of those kidnappers. I knew that they were up to something dubious. I have this gut feeling that something wasn’t right, that those criminals were up to something shady. What they told Penelope was suspicious, very highly untrustworthy and extremely questionable. 

I hope I am wrong, because my intuition tells me they would trick Penelope, making her believe that they will hand over Michelle once she has given the ransom they demanded. I highly doubted the sincerity of the caller. And this utterly made me restless and deeply worried about my fiance’s safety. 

I knew as well that Penelope would never listen to any suggestions or objections from anyone now, not even to me. Her mind was fixed on what she must do, disregarding her own safety and welfare, just to have her daughter back. I can see right through her. She would die for Michelle, and that’s one thing I will never allow to happen. 

I am here back in the living room, right after I left Penelope on her own, and now brainstorming with the city police on what’s the best and most probable action we must take in accordance to the kidnappers demands. 

“Alright! Here is what we have to do, which my men usually are mandated to do especially during situations like this.” General Lombard, who is the chief head of New York’s police force, uttered. He was also the one with us in Maldives, who led the operation that solved the case of the late Alexander Hunt. I listened intently as he continued. “It’s obvious that Miss Hunt will not permit us to interfere with what she was about to do. Judging solely with her actions a while ago and her immediate response to the kidnapper’s demand, it was very clear that she would do anything they asked her to do. She will never listen to anyone, not a single suggestion will be accepted by hers, because all she ever cared for right now was to give the ransom money and regain her daughter. We are not amateurs here to believe the caller’s words. We all knew that there’s a lesser chance that we could retrieve Michelle that easily. If Miss Hunt can easily be persuaded into handling that hefty amount, what do you think the kidnappers would think right this very moment?” He glanced at me before looking at his team, who were gathered around him. 

“They will not comply with the bargain and will definitely ask for more, Sir,” A non-uniformed officer swiftly voiced out the answer that was caking inside my head. 

“That’s right! If I were in the kidnapper’s shoes, I would definitely and with utmost certainty do that! Milked the grieving mother to the bottom before handing the child. But, we will not allow that to happen to Miss Hunt, not in my post!” 

What General Lombard declared gave me the boost I needed. It gave me hope and positiveness during this dire stage of my fiance’s life. I knew these brave soldiers wouldn’t let anything bad happen to both Penelope and Michelle. They will one hundred percent be of service, not just to her, but to anyone in need as well. I trust them. I trust them with all of my heart. 

“So what shall we do, knowing Penelope would be against us accompanying her in handing the money?” General Lombard glanced back at me before smiling. 

“We will be trailing her, unsuspiciously. From the time she leaves here to where her destination will be. I will also order an air surveillance in case the abductors intend to get away. These would be a city operation, wherein almost all of New York’s police force will be hands-on. Be rest assured, Mr. White, that we would do everything to retrieve Michelle unharmed and secure her mother. My best men in the field will lead the operation.” 

These somehow eased my worries away. The burden that was gravely hunkered on my shoulder somewhat lightened a bit. These are great soldiers and masters of their field. If there’s one thing I put my faith into, aside from God, here are they with me now. They are the only hope I have right now and I would cling on to their promise with all that I have left. 

***

“How’s Michelle?” 

“She’s already asleep. She wanted me to stay with her, but I wanted to know what you and Ivar talked about. So what happened? What did the two of you agree on?” I asked as I tiredly dragged my feet towards the bed where Pamela was comfortably lying. 

Since this was all her plan, I gave her the authority to do the dealings and negotiations with these people. Although the ransom money matters to me, my daughter mattered the most. Having Michelle back to me was my biggest and ultimate vengeance on Penelope. She mercilessly took my daughter away from me before, regardless of how I begged her not to, so now that I have Michelle back in my life, there’s no way I would let go of her ever again. Come hell or high waters, even if it would cause me my very own life, Penelope will never get a hold of Michelle, not over my dead body. 

“He called Penelope again and named his price.” 

“How much?” 

“A thousand million dollars, Michael,” My eyes literally swell at the huge sum of money Pamela spilled. 

“A thousand?” 

“Yes, My love. A thousand million dollars. Split into half, fifty-fifty. So ours will be five hundred million and the same goes to Ivar.” 

“Wow! That’s a huge sum of money. Do you think Penelope would give such an amount?” Pamela swiftly moved closer to me and embraced me tightly. 

“Of course she will, she already said yes to Ivar! So sooner than later, we are five hundred million dollars richer, Michael! We can travel the world, you and I! Isn’t that wonderful!” She shrieked blissfully and continued bear-hugging me. 

“What about Michelle?” 

“What about her?” 

“What did Ivar promise to Penelope about Michelle? Would he be handing her to Penelope?” 

“Well, he did say that to her, but I told him that we won’t be giving back Michelle to her mother.” 

“And?” 

“And he said that it’s up to us if we wish to hand back Michelle or not. As long as he has his money, he cares less if we do our part of the bargaining.” 

“We stick to the plan, Pamela. I don’t wish to lose Michelle again. We will not hand her back to Penelope, that’s final.” 

“Fine with me, Michael. Whatever you say, Sweetheart,” Her lips promptly covered mine with aggressiveness as her right hand started to trail down my body. Every touch of hers sends a tingling sensation inside of me that swiftly ignites my carnal needs. She immediately moved on top of me and straddled both her legs at my sides before reclaiming my lips even hungrier. “I want you, Michael. I want you right here, right now. Take me deeply, Sweetheart, make me scream your name senselessly. I need you inside me now.” 

“Someone’s suddenly horny” I murmured teasingly as I watched her remove my clothes one by one. 

“Who wouldn’t get horny and fully energized when days from now we will be branded as millionaires.”