"Charlotte, did something happen?" Lily asked with concern as she glanced at Charlotte's reflection in the rearview mirror and noticed how ill Charlotte appeared.
With tears streaming down her cheeks, Charlotte shook her head in disapproval. She blinked and put on an expression of bewildered happiness. "No, I'm simply feeling down today. In due time, I will be perfectly alright.
Although Lily thought it would be rude to press the issue further, she resolved to do so upon their return home. Observing her best buddy in such a downcast state made her feel bad.
A Pajero rushed over the intersection ahead of Lily while traveling on a lonely road and slammed into the side of her car while she was a passenger.
Oh no! The automobile Lily was riding in skidded to a stop after a resounding crash, sending shards of glass flying everywhere.
The force was so great that Charlotte blacked out.
"Charlotte!" Feeling lightheaded, Lily frantically attempted to check on Charlotte's condition while reaching for her phone to contact the authorities.
Suddenly, the Pajero's doors swung open, and several large, unsavoury-looking men climbed into the passenger side, right next to Charlotte.
"W-who are you? W-what are you doing?!" Lily let out a scream of terror, but someone swung in through the window, hit her on the neck, and she blacked out.
At the same time, multiple individuals rescued Charlotte from the vehicle and transferred her to the Pajero.
The Pajero vanished into the night as soon as it began up again.
In the midst of the deep shadows, faint, flickering lights illuminated a parked automobile and Brendan's horrifying face. "Charlotte Reed, I caved because you insisted I do it. I will demonstrate your continued arrogance when you are in a situation similar to your sister's.
The peaceful, isolated street was deserted, and the wrecked car sat still in a corner, its damage beyond repair.
Lily eventually came to, and it was only after opening her eyes to the wreckage of the car that she remembered what had transpired earlier. Looking around anxiously, she was in a state of fear.
The front seat was vacant, the driver's door was ajar, and broken glass littered the floor. There was no sign of Charlotte.
Say it, "Charlotte!"
Just now, Anastasia had tucked Sophia into bed at home and was thinking a lot about what had transpired in the last several days. On the other hand, Charlotte's room was completely silent.
When Anastasia pounded on the door, nobody answered. "Charlotte, are you there?"
After a second round of knocking, she turned the doorknob to open Charlotte's chamber, but nobody was there.
A furrowed brow came to hers. Nearly eleven o'clock. Will she not be home soon?
Downstairs in the living room, Claudia snacked away in her pajamas.
"What happened to Charlotte, Mom? Has she left the house?"
"Oh, she's not?" After a while, Claudia realized her youngest daughter wasn't home, but she didn't consider it. With an air of casualness, she remarked, "She must have gone to her friend's."
Just as Anastasia was going to ask her sister a question over the phone, she unexpectedly rang.
When she took the phone, Anastasia was shocked to hear Lily sobbing on the other end. "I have some unfortunate news to share with you, Anastasia! Something is wrong with Charlotte!"
Suddenly, Anastasia's complexion turned white.
---
Currently, Ethan can be heard in the backseat of a Jaguar automobile, listening as Dylan shares some facts he has uncovered through recent inquiries. Suddenly, his phone starts ringing. Anastasia is the one who called.
He answered with a kinder expression when he realized Anastasia had initiated the call. "Anastasia..."
"Someone has abducted Charlotte, Ethan. How can we proceed? Is there anything you can do to rescue her? The second the connection was made, he could hear Anastasia's embarrassed voice.
Ethan's expression turned serious in an instant. "Remain calm. Gently speak to me. From what place was she abducted? Look who it is!"
Anastasia calmly relayed to Ethan what Lily had just told her, including the details of Thaddeus's visit and Brendan's rejection of his two attempts to approach Charlotte.
Ethan merely had an educated assumption after listening to her remarks.
"Anastasia, there's no need to worry," he reassured. Do nothing and wait it out. Just stay put. Right now, I'm going to look for Charlotte. I will certainly ensure that she returns home safely.
Ethan ordered Dylan, the driver, to "turn around" after ending the call with a chilly and severe tone. We will be visiting the Reeds.
A chill ran down Dylan's spine as he heard Ethan's harsh voice. "Yes, Ethan!"
Within the main house of the Reeds...
In his anger, Thaddeus was pacing the room.
Ordinarily, he would have started to sleep long ago. However, he was highly anxious and agitated due to the Reeds' current predicament, so he was not slightly tired.
He felt tremendously anxious because it was eleven o'clock at night, and the loan repayment deadline was in exactly one hour. He had exhausted all possible possibilities and had even tried to contact his old acquaintances, but they were no help.
Is that going to be the end of the Reeds? That is just not going to happen!
Upstairs, Thaddeus could make out the pounding, clattering, and screams as he planned to meet with the bank director tomorrow and send expensive presents.
Out of nowhere, he became enraged. Exclaiming, "What's the fuss about?!" he pried open the door.
On the other hand, Thaddeus's eyes widened in fear of what he saw downstairs.
Violent kicking had already damaged the tall and magnificent gate of the Reed mansion, and shards of tempered glass were thrown across the floor. Members of the Reed family and security personnel accounted for the more than ten individuals sprawled on the ground.
At the very heart of the hall, a solitary figure radiated an air of menace.
"Let me know your name. What gave you the idea to storm into the Reed house at that hour?" As Thaddeus summoned the bravery to inquire, his heart raced with anticipation.
A recognizable face emerged as this individual lifted his head.
"It's you?!" After experiencing a terrifying terror, Thaddeus became extremely angry. What gives that miserable spouse of Anastasia Reed the right to invade my privacy?! Does he honestly believe we're easily manipulated?
"Protect us! Please, get this individual out of here immediately!" Thaddeus shouted to his security personnel.
Ethan showed no signs of fear.
Outside, Dylan remained. On the ground, several had already passed out.
"Shall we find Brendan Reed?" "Get him to come out," Ethan replied harshly.
A fury erupted within Thaddeus. "Who will you call my grandson's name directly, you good-for-nothing?"
His vision faded, and Ethan disappeared before he could complete his sentence. He had quickly caught up to Thaddeus and was choking him.
"I really can't stand to hear you babble on about this. Give me Brendan Reed." Ethan's icy tone.
"Oh no! Brendan Reed has vanished!" Thaddeus realized. He told his grandson not to return home unless he fix the problems.