Chapter 605 Extortion and Blackmail
Ethan's aunt, Hu, sent another voice message, uncertain if it had been heard by the recipient.
The response came, "I'll contact you as soon as Ethan confirms." After that, there was no further reply.
"We were too hasty. We should have let Ethan handle things, get the house and money first, then transfer it to him!" Tom paled. "He despises us. How could he possibly cooperate with us to approach the Solomon family for money and the house?"
"I'll call him!" The eldest sister panicked, dialing Ethan's number. But all she got was a busy tone. Ethan had blocked her.
Before she could react, Tom’s hand struck her cheek, leaving her stunned.
"It's because of you. If it weren't for your urgency, we wouldn't have rushed to give that bastard the house and money!"
"It was you who initiated this! If we fail to get the house and money from the Solomons, I'll make sure you regret it!" Mary pointed at her daughter, cursing.
Unexpectedly, Tom’s hand then struck Mary’s face. "Aren’t you part of this too?"
Mary was momentarily stunned before screaming, "How dare you hit me!"
The couple began to brawl. The eldest sister, never before physically assaulted since moving to the city, fled in tears after a harsh exchange. The younger siblings, witnessing their parents' fight, cried heartily.
After the fight, the couple strategized on finding Ethan. If the Solomon family was willing to provide, finding Ethan would resolve everything. They were even prepared to beg if necessary, to not let millions slip away.
Early the next morning, they visited Ethan's school. The principal, seeing them, scolded angrily, "You heartless scoundrels! What have you done to Ethan? He's dropped out. Do you realize his potential? He could've gotten into Harvard!"
"Dropped out?" Tom's face drained of color. "Did he say where he went?"
"Why are you asking me?" The principal's fury was palpable as the couple left dejectedly.
"Ethan no longer attends school; he... he must have planned this!" The couple exchanged glances, their faces bearing the marks of their tussle.
With Ethan's custody under the Child Welfare Association, they hurried to their offices.
This couple, known for their brutality, had even broken Ethan's ribs two years ago. Their arrival dampened everyone's mood.
"Where is Ethan?" They demanded.
"We were about to ask you the same thing. Ethan mentioned going home a few days ago and hasn't returned since!" Consensus was reached on the fabricated story.
But in reality, several people knew Ethan's whereabouts.
Ethan, astute as ever, understood that his disappearance would provoke concern among those who cared for him.
"Don't toy with us. You've hidden Ethan somewhere. I won't harm him; I just need to find him!" Tom’s agitation was palpable.
Tom bore scratches on his face from Mary, appearing disheveled.
"I really don't know!" Despite repeated inquiries, the couple persisted, on the brink of confrontation.
The Child Protection Association representatives echoed the same response.
Eventually, the couple resorted to calling the police.
That evening, they received a response.
"We have contacted the child. He is safe but refuses to see you."
"We're Ethan's relatives; he must see us. Give us the address; we'll go ourselves!" Ethan's aunt demanded, her voice stern.
"Due to your history of violence against the child, we cannot disclose his location. We'll ensure his safety."
"You can't do this! He... he swindled us out of our house and money! I'll report him to the police!" Silence followed.
"Fine, if you insist on filing a report, come to the station and provide a statement!" The call ended.
Tom was eager to rush to the police station, but Mary halted him. "We can't risk infuriating him further; he won't help us then! Besides, we willingly gave him the money and house... we lack evidence to prove he deceived us!"
Originally, they instigated the matter, pushing Ethan into action...
"What now?" Tom seethed. "Nothing's working! Can't you devise a plan?"
"Instead of searching for him, let's start with the Solomon family!"
Various paths lay before them, but Ethan's aunt chose the most audacious.
She dialed Mike again, leaving a voicemail. As usual, there was no response.
Mary opted for a direct text. "Stop evading us. We simply seek what's rightfully ours. If you persist, should we expose your actions to the media?"
After a pause, a single word arrived in response: "Wait."
Mary's joy was palpable as she glanced at her husband. "See, I told you. The affluent care deeply about their reputation. The incident with their daughter's kidnapping is still fresh. If word got out that they reneged on their promise to reward Ethan, it'd be a scandal!"
Tom beamed with satisfaction.
Soon, a call came through. Mary eagerly answered, expecting the intimidating Mike. Instead, it was Fiona.
"I hear you're considering involving the media?" Fiona's voice rang clear.
Ethan's aunt was taken aback but even more elated. Communication through henchmen proved inefficient; direct dialogue with the Old Money's wife was necessary.
Her blunt tactic had paid off.
"Madam, we have no wish for this. Let's be direct. Ethan took our money and house and is in hiding; no one can find him... He saved your daughter; don't you owe him?"
"It's true Ethan saved my daughter. I'd give him more than just a house worth twenty million and five million in cash. But... why should I give it to you... the malevolent individuals who beat and abuse Ethan?"
"Quit the nonsense!" Ethan's aunt ground her teeth. "Hand over the money and house tomorrow, or I'll expose you in the media, tarnishing your family's name!"
Unaware that her words had brought a smile to Fiona's face.
"Very well," Fiona said lightly.
She continued, "Madam, such an amount means little to your family. Using your reputation as an excuse isn't warranted, is it?"
"Mike," Fiona's voice became distant. "They're resorting to extortion and blackmail. Notify the police."
Ethan's aunt was startled, attempting to say more. But the call ended.
"What happened?" Tom was anxious.
"She... she threatened to call the police, accusing me of extortion!" "
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