The Manipulated Villainess

"She won't be able to reach this far in just a few years without a reason," Aston remarked and turned to Nathan. "In my opinion, she is not one to be underestimated."

"She is intimidating," Nathan said again with a chuckle and looked at Nicole. "So, what is your thought?"

Nicole took a deep breath and recalled what she heard just now. She can't come up with anything to say.

"What is the exact thing that you wish to know, Chairwoman Yang?" Nathan asked when Nicole fell silent.

Nicole narrowed her eyes at the floor and then turned to Nathan. "She changed so much these days. That's why I want to know what I am to her but... " Her voice trailed off as she didn't know how to express the words on her mind.

"In my opinion, you might be wrong. You said that she won't care much but it's the opposite." Nathan said and looked at the phone. "She remained calm but... I can sense her fear and desperation through her voice."

Nicole didn't say anything and Aston spoke up. "What you want is to claim back the land. Why did you change your mind and demand cash instead?"

"She might find it out later if we claim the land but... demanding cash without mentioning the amount is a good way to find out her inner thoughts and sincerity," Nicole muttered. Then she took Aston's phone and call Jerome.

"Jerome, are you in the secret room as I said?"

"Alright. Keep an eye on Garcia Han from there. Keep an eye on the hidden cameras and inform me if anything goes wrong."

* * *

Two hours later

Garcia Han was still in Nicole's house, waiting for another call from the unknown man. She was feeling quite worried but still, she sat on the couch, clenching her fingers.

The cash which she prepared was also in her car now. It was Alex who collected the cash but she sent him back right after he brought the money. She didn't even inform him what was happening and only told him to collect the cash from her house.

When her phone went off, she promptly picked up without looking at the caller ID.

"You said that you will call me after dinner. It's already 9 p.m. now." It was Carson Jun, not the kidnapper.

Garcia Han let out a breath when she heard his voice. "Sorry, something came up and I still don't have dinner."

"Is something wrong?" Carson Jun promptly asked, noticing the slight difference in her voice.

"No. I think I will be staying here for a bit longer."

"Garcia," Carson muttered and let out a sigh. "I always told you not to lie to me. No matter what you said to other people, I don't care but... not to me. You shouldn't do that."

Garcia Han clenched her fingers tighter, pondering what to do. After a few seconds, she finally said, "Nicole is kidnapped and the kidnapper demands some cash. I am waiting for the call."

Carson Jun who was alone in his study abruptly rose from his seat. "You should inform me that sooner! Do you think the kidnappers are trustworthy? You should take some preventive measures rather than trusting them."

"What if that harms her?" Garcia Han asked.

"Don't worry. Trust me and sent me the number they used to call you. I will deal with it but when you receive a call again, cooperate with them." Carson instructed her.

"Alright." Garcia Han said and ended the call. Then she sent the number to Carson Jun.

* * *

"Why would you let yourself be bound? It's not necessary." Aston glanced down at Nicole who let her hands bounded to the chair by a tape. It would surely create marks and that made him more concerned.

"You already said it yourself, Aston. Garcia Han shouldn't be underestimated. If things go wrong, her men might barge in here anytime and even if that didn't happen, she shouldn't have suspicions." Nicole said and looked at her hands. "If there are no marks here, it would be a miracle. Besides, she's a suspicious person."

Aston tried to spoke up but...

"The marks are nothing compared to what I have gone through in the last 15 years," Nicole muttered which made him sighed in defeat. She was too adamant!

When he received a call from Jerome, he promptly picked it up and put it in loudspeaker mode.

"Chairwoman, the Minister received a call from someone but I don't know who it was because she didn't say the name. She tells the person that you are kidnapped. You should be careful." Jerome informed her.

"Did she say anything else?" Nicole promptly asked.

"What if it harms her? That's what she said. I think the other person suggests something."

Aston and Nathan were on high alert now. Who was the person she talked to?! Nicole thought of it but no one came to her mind. It won't be Alex Jo and she believed that.

"Alright. Continue to keep an eye on her. Don't miss anything." Nicole said.

"I understand," Jerome responded and ended the call.

"Let's hurry." Nicole promptly said, glancing at the two men. 

"Don't worry. There are three roads that lead to this building. On each road, I stationed my men and they will inform me if anyone comes here. Even if they find out our location, we will be able to leave before they reached here." Nathan assured them.

"That phone Nathan used is already disposed at a few kilometres away from here. They won't be able to connect to this place." Aston said and turned to Nicole. "Besides, what we want is to know how she truly thinks, not the money."

Nicole nodded. "I don't want you and your friend to be in trouble. That's all. I will be fine even if this plan failed."

"Alright." Nathan suddenly said in a loud voice and smiled. "Let's finish business." He takes out another burner phone from his pocket and called Garcia Han's number.

"Don't tell her that we know she tells someone. She is inside the house and it might only draw suspicions. It won't be good for Nicole." Aston instructed Nathan and the latter nodded.

The moment Garcia Han picked up the call, Nathan put it in the loudspeaker mode and spoke up.

"Do you prepared the money?"

"Yes. I collect 30 million in cash. If it's not enough, I would need more time and manpower. It's not light to handle it alone."

Garcia Han's response was quite shocking to the three! 30 million wasn't a small amount and she's even willing to pay more?! Was it because there's someone who might help her?! They were left puzzled.

"I don't have much time, so it should be enough. Who knows? You might even play some tricks if I give you more time." Nathan said.

"Cut the crap. Is Nicole alright? If you break your promise, I will track you down no matter what." Garcia Han firmly said.

Nathan let out a laughter. "I won't dare to harm the beloved daughter of the Minister of Justice. I will send you the address and bring the money there. After I check the cash, I will return your daughter." He ended the call right away and sent her the address which they already chose beforehand. Then he told his men to dispose the phone again right away.

"I had 10 million dollars in mind at most but... 30? I don't see this coming." Nathan said, turning to the couple. Nicole still remained bound in the chair while Aston stood beside her.

Did she really mean it or was she just confident because someone helped her? Nicole felt puzzled. If Garcia Han didn't tell someone about this incident, then she won't have to be so bothered. Why was she still complicated even now?!

Nathan who was talking with his men on the phone, puts down and said, "She just left the house. The money is in her car."

* 

Garcia Han reached the address after driving for around forty minutes. It was a quiet place with no house and many trees. Besides, it was very dark as it was night now.

She gets off her car and with much efforts, she placed the big suitcases which holds the cash in the corner of the road. Then she received a call again.

"Two of my men will come to take the money."

Garcia Han glanced around and saw a car running past her. Then the car stopped and two men wearing masks gets off and put the suitcases inside their car.

"I will tell you where your daughter is after I check the money," Nathan said and ended the call again.

Garcia Han was about to turn around but...

"Stop there!"

She turned in the direction where she heard the familiar voice. Though the man who was standing there with a bike wore a mask, she knows who it was. Carson Jun.

"You won't be able to leave this place with the money," Carson shouted, walking towards Garcia Han. Then two men appeared behind him.

One of Nathan's men quickly takes out a gun and pointed at Carson and Carson's men did the same while the other man called Nathan.

"Boss, someone is here but I can't identify him!" 

Nathan who was in the old building raised a brow and when he received another call, he promptly answered it too.

"Boss, some men came towards the building. I think it will need them around 10 minutes to reach there. We will try to stop them and stall some time. Please leave that place as fast as possible."