18 Floors Above the Apocalypse novel Chapter 304

"The kidnappers knew that Bran loved a good thrill, but getting him to impulsively leave the safety of their suburban enclave was no easy feat. That's why they set their sights on Bentley. They were betting on Bentley's reckless love over his sense of self-preservation.

“It might seem like they were always at each other's throats, but the bond between these cousins was solid as oak. That's why Bran, worried about Bentley's safety, let his sense of loyalty get the better of him and agreed to a midnight joyride outside the gates."

What could Stella say? When the the silly rich kid hell-bent on digging his own grave, not even angels could stop him. "Evan's on the case; he'll figure out there's a rat in the Porras family soon enough."

Jasper nodded in agreement. "It's not a tough puzzle for Evan, but unless the kidnappers make their next move, rooting out the mole won't be easy."

The fact that the kidnapping happened a year into the eternal night made it clear that the perpetrators were neither impulsive nor unprepared.

Anyone bold enough to cross the Porras family was no ordinary thug. Just the fact that Bentley had been beaten to a pulp, his arm broken, was a testament to their ruthlessness.

This was not just an act of violence; it was a warning to the Porras family: comply, or Bran would die.

Stella wondered aloud, "Shane's called the cops, but will he pay the ransom?"

Jasper couldn't be sure. After all, Shane was a cunning fox in the business world. Besides, these were the end times. A demand for 10,000 pounds of grain and 5,000 pounds of meat was one thing, but 50 guns and the entire stock of medicine? Even if they paid up, what were the chances of getting his son back?

They couldn't gamble the lives of dozens in the Porras household for one reckless son. A tiger without its teeth was just a big cat, after all.

Stella mused, "I feel like Shane won't act rashly, but he might struggle with it, trying to ease his conscience."

Setting aside his natural business instincts, Shane had other family members to consider. It seemed Bran's chances were slim.

That was just how it was in these perilous times—if you didn't have the strength, death was your only ending.

"Jasper, if I ever get kidnapped, just take care of Rosie and Cooper. Don't come after me."

"Don't talk nonsense," Jasper said, cutting her off.

Their speculation was correct; for a seasoned cop like Evan, sniffing out a mole in the Porras household wasn't tough.

The Porras family, being wealthy, treated their servants and bodyguards well. They were respectful, never stinting on pay or resorting to verbal or emotional abuse. There was no discontent or grudges. And according to the Porras family's accounts, there had been nothing unusual about the behavior of the staff or bodyguards lately.

After interviewing everyone separately, Evan and his officers found no suspicious characters. They could only wait for the kidnapper's next move.

After the police left, Shane sat on the sofa, his face ashen, silent for a long time.

The mood was grim among the other family members. The older and younger sons said nothing, but their wives' faces betrayed their worry.

Tina waved everyone out, her voice choked with tears. "What do we do now, honey?"

Shane's heart ached with anger. "What to do? Let the boy die!"

"But he's your flesh and blood. You can't just abandon him."

"What can I do about it? Should we all just starve to death to get him back?"

Desperate, Tina suggested, "If it comes to it, you must pressure the police to intensify the search."

"Does the Porras family run the police station?" Shane growled, popping blood pressure pills. "Evan's visit today was respect enough. You expect him to turn Griffith upside down?"

The military and police were short-handed, barely managing to maintain order in the city. Pulling troops away could leave the city open to marauders, and who would bear that responsibility? Not to mention, the foolish boy had brought this on himself. Even if Evan agreed, the officials never would.

Tina's heart was in knots, "Are we to stand by and let our son be torn to pieces?"

Shane spent a sleepless night in his study, finally coming to a decision—a bounty. For whoever could save his wayward son, he was willing to offer 10,000 pounds of grain.