Chapter 604: The Unexpected Mastermind

The driver’s parking skills seemed rather average; Cecilia Vaughn’s entire body jostled twice, causing her significant pain.

She remembered to pretend she was asleep, feigning that she had fallen against the car window, though she was cautious not to let her head suffer any severe injury. She could only make a strained effort to lean against the seat with her legs bound by ropes.

...

"Shaking like this and still not waking up? Wow, Boss, your drug really works wonders! This woman hasn’t struggled since she got into the car; this money is easy to earn."

"Second Forrest, shut your mouth! Quick, go get the car so we can continue on our way."

Switch cars?!

Cecilia Vaughn sharply caught this bit of information, increasingly frustrated why they wouldn’t say more, like the model of the new car they were switching to.

Before being tied to this vehicle, she only remembered it was a black Volkswagen sedan. Although her memory was astonishing, the brief time didn’t allow her to memorize the license plate.

Of course, if Cecilia Vaughn knew that this vehicle was driving without a license, she might not know whether to laugh or cry.

Currently, Cecilia Vaughn’s gathered information was limited.

Besides riding in the black VW, the most useful clues were the mysterious "old lady" mentioned by those two men and that the driver called his subordinate Second Forrest.

Uncertain which Forrest it was.

After all, their Mandarin wasn’t very standard, and even ignoring issues with nasal sounds, there are many single surnames that sound similar to Forrest.

In case they weren’t even using surnames but nicknames to refer, it would be even worse.

...

Cecilia Vaughn felt every second drag on, pretending to sleep while pondering over these riddles.

Meanwhile, Second Forrest who went to exchange cars finally returned.

Cecilia Vaughn listened to the car’s roar, doubting the new vehicle’s performance.

According to her, the enemy’s choice of vehicle should have been discreet and unremarkable.

Why would it have such a thundering start?

No time to ponder further, she felt the door in front of her open, followed by an extremely unpleasant sneering laughter.

"Haha, beautiful lady, let me carry you to the new car."

New car?

Was it genuinely new?

Or was it a casual comment?

Cecilia Vaughn was anxious, realizing half a second later what they meant by carrying her to the car.

The boss seemed relatively more honorable; if she fell into Second Forrest’s hands, she feared she’d be taken advantage of.

Cecilia Vaughn knew she couldn’t afford to be delicate now; she was still a "weak woman" feigning unconsciousness, must maintain this persona, or else she’d suffer more.

Her mind was restless, like being gnawed by thousands of ants, yet unable to rebel.

Just as she bitterly considered being insulted, imagining severing his hand someday, a voice interrupted her disdainfully.

"Second Forrest, mind your manners. Don’t let two ounces of flesh ruin our big plans. Think about the three million waiting for us after delivering her; why risk it by meddling?"

"Hey Boss, that’s not the point. There’s no harm in us taking advantage of her in this remote place, nobody would know."

Remote?!

Cecilia Vaughn felt miserable, compelled to analyze the location even amidst such distasteful talk, suffering upon suffering.

Fortunately, the boss valued money over misconduct, and seeing Second Forrest’s defiance, he quickly positioned himself in front of Cecilia Vaughn.

"I’ll carry her myself; you get away, don’t waste my money-making time."

"Alright, alright, Boss, I’m obedient, aren’t I? Just don’t cut my pay; I rely on you for my meals..."

These two shabby villains seem to have a fine camaraderie...

Cecilia Vaughn heard Second Forrest’s obsequious tone, not finding it amusing at all, worried more about her safety, while the boss indeed carried her to the new car.

Hand and foot remained appropriately placed, not wandering.

Cecilia Vaugh was a bit relieved.

She feared encountering those who preached discipline while secretly indulging worse behavior; she’d seen plenty.

Cecilia Vaughn feigned sleeping, her limbs powerlessly collapsing onto the back seat.

She somewhat understood why no one was sitting next to her in the backseat. Being drugged and a woman, they probably felt biologically confident; secondly, the boss feared Second Forrest’s lingering lust would spoil things.

After all, lust brings ruin.

Once the money is pocketed and escape hastens, it’s the wisest plan.

...

With a new car, Cecilia Vaughn realized her chances of being found dwindled further.

Then, Second Forrest in the front seat suddenly had an idea.

"Boss, with so many people using fingerprint unlocks nowadays, wouldn’t this beauty be the same?"

"..."

Heavens betray me.

Cecilia Vaughn knew she was doomed.

If they forcibly unlocked her phone, the data would wipe clean, but she did actually have fingerprint records, complicating things significantly.

"I’ll try."

The boss stopped the car, untrusting of Second Forrest’s methods, proceeded to check Cecilia Vaughn’s fingers one by one.

Once he reached the right thumb, the phone unlocked.

Finished, finished.

Cecilia Vaughn seemed to hear someone shouting these four words in her ear.

Endless despair unfolded in her mind, yet she couldn’t show a trace, forcing calm and faking slumber.

The two villains tangled together.

"Hey, ’Best Husband in the World’? No name? Boss, unexpected, such a delicate girl, actually married."

"Why bother with that nonsense?"

"Quick, send a WeChat message to that man saying she’ll be late tonight, then send a similar message to her brother, and throw the phone away outdoors so they’d think her phone ran out of battery."

"Alright, Boss, you’re smart."

...

Cecilia Vaughn felt her heart growing colder.

No options left.

She heard insects chirping outside the window, accompanied by the fresh scent of grass, even faintly of plum blossoms, suddenly realizing this isn’t merely outdoors but likely somewhere quite nice.

Could it be a wetland, park?

Maybe a private countryside villa?

Cecilia Vaughn mulled over many possibilities.

Until the car ascended and descended noticeably over a bridge, she deduced it was a waterside estate with lush vegetation.

...

Cecilia Vaughn was taken into a room, her blindfold remained on, suddenly hearing an authoritative old woman’s voice.

"Did you bring me the person?"