Chapter 1496 - 1486: She’s in My Hands—Money for Her Life

Indeed, the most venomous heart is that of a woman. Upon hearing this, Chloe Winston’s face contorted with rage, glaring darkly at the unconscious woman, she reached out and gouged two bloody scratches on her face. "You wicked old hag, you’re truly venomous."

Countess Thompson got into the car, signaled the driver to head directly to Chloe Winston’s location, and then calmly reassured her, "You broke the rules first. If you’d had the sense to leave quietly, none of this would have happened."

Chloe Winston almost ground her teeth to pieces. She’s been reduced to a pariah, just trying to reclaim some interest before leaving, but they’re forcing her into it.

"It’s all because you forced me. I was merely exposing the truth, and you decided to destroy me. Chloe Winston was always two-timing; can’t others talk about what she did?"

"Did you see Chloe Winston?" Countess Thompson maintained her composure and redirected the topic, activating the speakerphone and taking the bodyguard’s phone, dialing Constantine Stewart’s number.

"Chloe Winston is in my hands now, you old hag. Isn’t she your treasure? Get me a plane to the United States, and five million US dollars, or you’ll never see her again." Chloe Winston screamed hysterically.

Countess Thompson picked up her son’s call and heard Chloe Winston’s words, smiling. "Chloe Winston, a while back you were at most a mistress, not breaking the law. Now kidnapping and extortion will land you in prison."

"Stop the nonsense, will you give it or not? If I’m not going to the United States, will I land in the hands of that pervert? They’ll surely kill me." The very thought of past experiences made Chloe Winston shiver. She returned home, changed her name, and secured Constantine Stewart’s backing. Naturally, those from the past wouldn’t dare bother her. But now Constantine Stewart was shutting her out, her background was exposed, and those people would surely come after her.

"Why did you call me? By rights, I have no connection with Chloe Winston. You should have called my son." Countess Thompson noticed the bodyguard sent Chloe Winston’s location to her son and asked calmly.

"Haven’t you always wanted to mend your relationship with your son? If you watch her die without saving her, do you think Constantine Stewart will spare you?" Chloe Winston’s heart raced at the question; she dared not approach Constantine Stewart, knowing the Countess was the cruelest of all, but it was too late.

Countess Thompson looked at the phone in ongoing conversation and chuckled softly. "You’re right; I’ve always wanted to repair things with my son, so I’ll agree to your terms. Five million is too much; I can’t gather that quickly, and getting a private plane to the United States is nearly impossible. Let me show you a way out.

I’ll give you five million in cash, release Chloe Winston, and I won’t report to the police. You can flee abroad and later go to the United States. The US has no extradition treaties; as long as you hide your tracks well, you can live the life you want. But all this is contingent on Chloe Winston being safe; words alone won’t suffice, I need a video to confirm she’s with you."

Chloe Winston never intended for Countess Thompson to conjure up a plane. She herself found a flight last night directly to Thailand, planning to transfer from Thailand to the United States. She sought out the Countess solely for the money.

"Fine, I’ll send you a video later. You start assembling the cash, not a penny less than five million. If you dare to call the police, we’ll go down together." Chloe Winston spoke sinisterly, then hung up.

Countess Thompson pressed her aching temples, at a loss for words over how foolish this woman was.

"Such a foolish specimen, and you supported her for a year, Constantine Stewart? Why are you so apathetic about your life and those around you?" Countess Thompson picked up the phone on her lap, her voice cool with rebuke. Her son was naturally wise, able to see through people’s minds, and amazingly sharp. If he hadn’t wandered blindly for years neglecting those near him, how could someone like Chloe Winston have persisted for so long?

Constantine Stewart was rebuked; he rarely remained silent, but after a while, the man spoke deeply. "I’m already on my way to the airport. Chloe Winston surely found another plane. The airport is tightly controlled, but not sealed, to avoid startling Chloe Winston. I’ll handle the rest."

He had already found Richard Shaw, utilizing the Military District’s strength. Chloe Winston’s location was pinpointed, but the situation was unclear, so he refrained from action for now.

"How will you handle it? By force? You need to address your long-standing mental burden. Saving my daughter-in-law is on me; given my insidious and ruthless nature, it’s about the only thing I’m good for." Countess Thompson ended the call, feeling both bitterness and regret.

Back then, in that accident, she and her son were the ones most hurt. She just couldn’t accept at that moment that her husband had died saving their son and made many irreversible mistakes. She has moved on from that shadow, but her son hasn’t come out of it to this day.

"Madam, the opposition only includes two grown men and one woman. Do you want us to try intercepting them?" The private bodyguard inquired.

They were specially trained soldiers who accompanied the Countess to the Imperial City, confident they could handle a few desperate criminals.

"First, prepare the five million cash and wait for my arrival before taking action." Countess Thompson quickly calmed down and asked, "Where is Chloe Winston’s car headed now?"

"It’ll arrive at the airport in 10 minutes."

Countess Thompson nodded, checked the distance between the two vehicles; their car was high-performing, fast, and only ten kilometers behind.

Countess Thompson’s gaze flashed with a cold determination. Rescuing people is easy, but such a golden opportunity to potentially mend her relationship with her son must be seized.

Chloe Winston awoke with water splashing on her face, feeling a burning pain. She opened her eyes, realizing her hands and feet were bound, as Chloe Winston’s face loomed over her darkly, pupils slightly constricting.

The woman before her no longer had even a hint of her former love’s essence; though good-looking before, after two days and nights of trauma and resorting to kidnapping, her presence was eerie, her face seemed twisted and unpleasant.

"You should be fleeing abroad rather than kidnapping me, detestable crime." Chloe Winston spoke calmly, noting it was a van with a driver and two abductors—three men in total, making escape impossible for her.

"How can I flee without money? You’ll have to be traded for cash. We’ve been sisters once; I hope you don’t mind." Chloe Winston replied coldly.