Chapter 428 Mr. Vittorio was kidnapped
Charlie usually kept his cool, even with autism, so seeing him this anxious was rare.
Giorgio rushed to the garden, calling out, "Charlie?" but got no answer. He ventured further in, but his legs gave out, and he hit the ground hard.
Charlie stepped out from the shadows, grinning and covering his nose. "Sorry, Dad, but this is for your own good."
He then ordered, "Guys, tie us up and take us to the warehouse."
After that, he called Anna. "Auntie Anna! Help me!" The call cut off, leaving a busy signal.
Anna's face went pale. She thought Charlie was just calling to chat, but he was in trouble. She tried calling back but couldn't get through. Giorgio's line was also busy—she forgot he had blocked her.
Panicking, she got a Facebook notification: Charlie had shared his location with a message: [Auntie Anna, my dad and I have been kidnapped. Come save us! Can't take calls. We'll work together from inside and out. Be careful!]
Anna's heart raced. "Lucia, can you watch Penny? I'm going to find Charlie." She dashed out of the airport and flagged a taxi. "Follow the map, please."
"Yes, Miss," the driver replied, speeding off.
Anna's heart pounded. She didn't know anyone in Corystania and couldn't risk exposing Giorgio's situation. She hoped she and Charlie could handle it.
Fingers crossed.
Half an hour later, the taxi stopped at an abandoned industrial plant. "Miss, this is it. The road's too rough ahead."
"Thanks," Anna said, paying and getting out. She cautiously headed inside.
Inside, things had gone off Charlie's plan. "Who are you? I said take us to the warehouse! You're not the people I hired?"
Landon Bennett, holding a stick, smirked. "Nope. We've been tailing your dad, waiting for a chance. Thanks for giving us one, Little Mr. Vittorio."
Charlie panicked. "Don't do anything crazy! I told Auntie Anna to call the cops! They'll be here soon!"
Landon grabbed Charlie's phone, checked the messages, and typed: [Auntie Anna, they're asleep now. Come in and save me.]
"See? She'll be here soon."
"No! Give it back!" Charlie lunged and bit Landon's hand.
Landon screamed and threw Charlie off. "You brat! How dare you bite me!" He stomped on Charlie, who cried out in pain.
The noise woke Giorgio. Groggy, he saw Charlie on the ground. "Charlie! Who are you people? Hurt me if you must, but leave my son alone!"
Giorgio's words were full of authority and danger, even when he was down.
Landon chuckled and let go of Charlie. Just as he was about to speak, the iron door creaked open. Everyone turned to see a woman sneaking in—Anna.
Giorgio frowned. Charlie yelled, "Auntie Anna, don't come in! Run!"
Anna froze, then bolted. "Catch her! Don't let her call the cops!" Landon ordered.
Four men chased her down and dragged her back roughly. Giorgio's eyes flashed with anger. He tried to stand but felt weak. "Who are you? What do you want? Let her and my son go, and I'll meet any condition."
Landon smirked. "Mr. Vittorio, we're just hired guns. Someone paid us a lot to deal with you. We don't stop until the job's done, and we never reveal our clients. So, please don't make it hard for us."
He continued, "But I respect your status. If you cooperate, I'll make sure your body stays intact and release your son and the woman." He placed a vial of euthanasia drugs on the table.
Giorgio frowned deeply. Charlie burst into tears. "Daddy, no! It's my fault."
Anna was frantic. "What kind of condition is this? Mr. Vittorio, don't listen to them. If you die, they won't let us go either. You're for hire, right? Tell me where to place an order. I'll hire you to save us. That wouldn't break your rules, right?"
Her voice was clear and logical. Few women could stay so composed in such a situation.
Giorgio saw the urgency in her eyes and looked at Landon. "She's right. Hire guns can kill and save people. This money would be easier for you to earn."
Indeed, letting them go would be an easy way to get paid with countless money, while search and rescue was also their line of business.
Landon hesitated, looking at his team, who were also wavering.
Anna spoke directly, "$4,687,500! Let us go!"
Landon was stunned. "Can you really come up with that much money?"
Anna stayed calm. "Yes, I have Mr. Vittorio's black card. The limit is $4,687,500. Let us go, and I'll give it to you right away. We won't pursue this or investigate the client. If the client pays again to kill Mr. Vittorio, that's your business next time. Giving us a chance to live and making money is beneficial, right?"
Her words were persuasive. Landon hesitated but was tempted by the money. "I'll call my superior for approval."
"Okay, call them. Just say it's Mr. Vittorio. He keeps his word," Anna urged.
Giorgio sat there, looking at Anna, his emotions in turmoil. He had known many women, but none had impressed him as much as she did.
While he was thinking, Landon hung up the phone. "The boss has answered."
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