Chapter 2363
“I’ve taken your grandson. So, the reason I’m calling should be crystal clear to you by now,” the gruff voice sneered through the phone.
Alyssa had already cried herself to a state of exhaustion, and Dean took the phone from her trembling hands.
“Name your price. We will meet any demand. Just bring our boy back home safe and sound,” Dean said, his voice strained with desperation.
“Ha, must be nice to be loaded with cash, huh? Don’t worry, we’re not in the killing business. You meet our demands, and your little prince will be returned to his castle unharmed. Just one thing, we don’t like dealing with the cops. If you get them involved, don’t blame us for playing rough!”
The threat in his voice was palpable, and Dean agreed to everything in a flurry of anxious promises.
“Alright, I agree to all terms. Just tell me what you want.”
The leader grinned, showing his yellowed teeth, and blew a cloud of smoke right into Balfour’s face, causing the boy to cough violently. The sound reached Dean’s ears, and his heart nearly stopped.
“Balfour! Balfour, are you alright?”
Balfour tried to steady his voice, “Grandpa, I’m okay. Don’t worry about me.”
“Well, aren’t you the perfect grandson, looking out for your grandparents even now. They must really adore you. So I’m guessing they wouldn’t mind shelling out, say, a hundred million for your life, right?”
Dean’s voice was heavy, “You want a hundred million dollars?”
Their fortune was vast, but how would the kidnappers even claim such a sum?
“Prepare two million in cash. The rest can be transferred to an account. I have my ways. You don’t need to worry about that.”
As he was about to hang up, Dean stopped him.
“I have the money. But you must give me time to gather it; most of my assets aren The kidnapper had no patience for financial jargon. He just demanded the money by next morning.
“If you’re not concerned about your grandson losing a limb or two, then by all means delay. We’re desperate men. With money, your grandson lives. Without it, you’ll be mourning in the worst way possible.”
1/2
08:13
With that, he hung up without a shred of mercy.
Turning back to Balfour, the kidnapper felt an odd sense of amusement.
The boy had shown no sign of fear since his capture, worthy of being groomed as the next head of the Howard family.
“Aren’t you scared, kid?”
Balfour replied calmly, “You said my life wasn’t at stake. Once my grandfather meets your demands, I’ll be fine. So why should I be afraid? Unless you’re planning to break your promise, are you?”
The kidnapper burst into laughter, “The kid actually believes us. Only a rich brat could be so naive.”
Balfour arched an eyebrow, “If I were you, I’d choose the money over murder. A hundred million dollars can set you up for life, but a life taken? That’s not so easy to live with. I may be young, and my grandfather hasn’t handed over the reins yet, but if you’re in such a hurry for cash, I do have a card on me.”
The kidnappers hesitated.
“Boss, you think the kid’s bluffing?”
Undisturbed by the suspicion, Balfour stated, “If you don’t trust me, feel free to check the balance on the card. I’m the one at a disadvantage; I have no reason to lie to you.”
08:13
