Viana was startled and woke up from her sleep with difficulty breathing. She immediately realized what was happening and tried her best to break free from the man's tight embrace. However, the man's strength was very strong, and Viana didn't have much time; as she struggled and unconsciously drew intermittent breaths, she soon felt dizzy and paralyzed. Her consciousness grew blurry, and everything went dark. Before long, her body was limp and motionless.
After successfully paralyzing Viana, the person picked her up and carried her away quickly.
***
The next day...
The morning was very quiet. At Viana's house, Ellie woke up early as usual. She cleaned up the house and prepared breakfast for Viana and herself. When it was time to wake Viana up, Ellie knocked on the bedroom door and waited for a while. But for a long time, Ellie got no response from inside.
Ellie began to wonder. Usually, Viana was not difficult to wake up. What was wrong with her this morning? Was she sick?
Ellie tried to open the door and found it unlocked. Upon seeing the scene inside, Ellie was shocked.
Viana's bed was in disarray, like there had been a mess there earlier. Her gaze turned to the window of the room, and it was wide open! Ellie still tried to calm down and looked for Viana all over the house. But she was nowhere to be found!
Ellie panicked at the thought of what had happened. Without thinking, she immediately ran outside and went to the next house.
“Mister! Mister! Anyone! Help!” Ellie shouted frantically as she ran to the next yard.
Alen came out as soon as he heard Ellie's scream. His eyes were droopy, and his face looked tired, as if he hadn't slept all night. But he calmly faced Ellie and asked, "What's wrong?"
Ellie was frightened and pale. “Miss Viana is missing! She... she seems to have been kidnapped!”
Alen's face remained calm, but a slight ripple appeared. “How are you sure she was kidnapped?”
Ellie hurriedly explained what she had seen this morning.
Alen listened to her and was silent for a while, as if thinking about something.
As Ellie waited for Alen's response, suddenly an unknown man came over to Alen. Seeing that someone else was with Alen, the man approached and whispered something to Alen.
Hearing what the man whispered, Alen's face darkened, and he smiled coldly. His eyes narrowed and showed a sharpness that made anyone shiver. Ellie saw that reaction and involuntarily shivered.
After the man left, Alen said to Ellie. “I know everything. You can leave.”
Ellie was wide-eyed. “Just like that? But you have to...”
“I said I know everything. Don't worry. Just wait at home and everything will be fine,” Alen cut in with a gentle yet undeniable tone.
Seeing Alen, who showed a calm and unwavering demeanor like a mountain, a little confidence arose in Ellie's heart. She obediently returned home.
***
Meanwhile, elsewhere, Viana slowly regained consciousness and opened her eyes. The first thing she saw was the changed scenery above her. The ceiling above her turned into a dusty wooden roof.
Viana sat up and almost staggered back to the bed. Her limbs were weak, and she felt dizzy. Viana frowned as she saw her hands and feet tied. She looked around. This was a small house containing some wooden beams. So, this was a wooden shed.
Feeling a little depressed, Viana closed her eyes and sighed softly. What's going on here? Why am I so unlucky?
Luckily, she was only tied up, and the person who kidnapped her didn't do anything to her. Her clothes were still intact, and there wasn't any pain on her body, except for the weak feeling in her body from the anesthesia.
While digesting the situation, the door to the woodshed was suddenly opened.
“Miss is awake?” asked a middle-aged man who entered the room.
Viana frowned, and suddenly her eyes widened. In one glance, Viana recognized this man and remembered the words Rian had spoken at the dinner party earlier.
“The local official's name is Brien Gerar, from the famous Gerar family in this area. Their family holds the treasury in this area. You must remember that carefully.”
Viana couldn't help but feel shocked. Her entire body went cold. Did this person have a problem with intelligence members? If not, how could Rian give her such a hint?
Her kidnapping today must also have something to do with it!
Viana's brain immediately thought critically and guessed the most appropriate possibility of the situation.
“You... are an official in this area, Brien Gerar?” she asked.
The stocky middle-aged man smiled. “Well, it's unexpected that Miss still remembers me. That's right.”
Viana wore a displeased expression as she moved her bound feet and hands. “What is the meaning of this?”
Brien replied casually. “I just wanted to detain you for a moment. Don't worry. I won't hurt you if you don't make trouble.”
Viana understood immediately. “Oh, so you're holding me hostage. What do you want?”
Brien didn't expect this girl to get the point so quickly. He chuckled. “I don't want treasure or anything. I'm just waiting for your future husband to come rescue you.”
Viana sobered up after hearing the word future husband from Brien's mouth.
“She is... my future wife.”
A reality like ice water poured into her heart.
Was Rian playing tricks on her? Why were the man's words such a cause and effect in this situation?
Don't tell me, this whole thing was Rian's plan; get her to appear at the party as his partner, then use her as bait to lure the perpetrator, and this kidnapping happened!
Even though Viana had no idea what kind of trouble was going on. But now she was involved in this situation!
Viana found it so funny that she wanted to laugh out loud. Rian really...
Brien was astonished at the change in the girl in front of him. “What are you laughing at?”
Viana laughed weakly and shook her head at Brien. “It's nothing. I was just laughing at the current situation.”
Brien frowned. “What are you thinking about? Don't forget, you're in my hands now.”
Viana nodded. “Yes, yes. I'm in your hands now. I won't do anything, okay?”
Brien felt strange. This was the first time he had seen a hostage whose demeanor was so relaxed. Moreover, she was a girl. “Are you hiding something from me?”
Viana's eyes rounded slightly, and she shook her head. “No, I'm not hiding anything from you. Whatever you're doing right now, I think you're doing the right thing.”
If it's true that all of this was Rian's plan from the beginning, then by kidnapping me, you've already fallen into his trap. Viana thought.
Brien didn't understand Viana's thoughts. Afraid of being provoked by this strange girl, Brien chose to remain silent.
After a few moments of silence, Viana, who had been thinking carefully, now began to act.
“Mr. Brien,” Viana greeted, “What would you like to ask of my future husband?”
Brien snorted. “None of your business.”
Viana smiled. “I'm his future wife, how can this not be my business? Who knows, when he comes, I'll help you persuade him to get what you want. Besides, I don't want to be stuck here,” she cooed softly.
Brien heard her and began to look hesitant. “Shut up!”
Viana fell silent. It seemed that this method was not working. She had to use another method to lure him.
Finally, Viana acted indifferent and started talking to herself. “Do you know? My husband-to-be is a third-ranking official in the government. You must have seen his badge, right?”
Brien didn't answer.
Viana smiled. “What do you think someone as important as him would come all the way here for? Do you dare to guess?”
Brien remained silent. But his body was slightly tense.
Viana noticed this change and managed to get a little hint from him. “Mr. Brien, what's wrong? Have you done something bad?”
Brien answered quickly. “No!”
“You answered my question very quickly,” Viana said with a smile. “I'm not stupid, Mr. Brien. If you didn't do anything, then why did you arrest me to lure my future husband here?”
Brien was stunned. He could not answer.
“Then I'll guess for myself,” Viana said, taking a relaxed position and leaning herself against the wooden wall. “Mr. Brien, a regional Treasury official, must have done something wrong in his duties. If it's the Treasury, then the mistake could be about treasures or something you shouldn't have. Am I right?”
Brien's eyes widened.
Viana chuckled at his reaction. “Looks like my guess was right.”
All of this was like the man's words earlier.
“The county official's name is Brien Gerar, hailing from the famous Gerar family in this county. Their family holds the treasury in this area. You should remember that well, my future wife.”