His Hidden Family My Ruined Marriage (Liana) novel Chapter 53

Chapter 53 The Drugged Ginger Tea

69

+5 Pearls

“If that girl had half your sense, she wouldn’t be kneeling outside,” Gerald said, accepting the coffee from Anya.

“If I were sensible, I wouldn’t have turned down Elian’s proposal all those years ago. I wouldn’t have caused so much trouble for my sister. Grandpa, please… let her come inside and talk.”

Anya stood beside his chair, head bowed low, pleading on Liana’s behalf.

“Silly girl. I never should’ve let that woman give birth to this bastard in the first place. This time, I’m not taking any chances. Letting her kneel in the rain isn’t enough to finish the job. I had the cook make ginger tea-take it to her later. Make sure she drinks every drop.”

His words were heavy with dark implication.

“Yes, Grandpa.” Anya nodded obediently.

“Mr. Locke, I still haven’t picked up Mrs. Locke.”

“What do you mean?”

Elian was tied up in a last-minute meeting and had sent his driver to pick her up. The news was unexpected.

“She never came out of the building. I asked inside, and a teacher said they saw her heading to the parking lot. Her car is gone. Maybe she went home on her own?” the driver suggested.

“She didn’t drive today. Wait there.”

A sense of unease pricked at him. Ignoring the dozens of executives waiting, he dialed Liana’s number.

Her phone rang inside the backpack, but she couldn’t reach it.

Knowing she likely wouldn’t answer him, he immediately dialed another number.

Lily was at a restaurant, waiting for a date, when Elian’s name popped up. Puzzled, she answered. “Hello, Mr. Locke?”

“Where’s Liana? Is she with you?”

“No. She left right after work.”

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Chapter 53 The Drugged Ginger Tea

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+5 Pearls

“I can’t reach her. I’m worried. She’ll answer your call. Can you try? I’ll owe you.” His voice was tense. He was already striding out of the conference room.

“Worried now? Why’d you have to go and make a baby with someone else?” Lily couldn’t resist the jab.

“This isn’t the time. Please.” His urgency was palpable.

“Fine. Not for you, but for her.”

Lily hung up and called Liana. No answer.

She tried twice more, a frown creasing her brow.

She knew Liana’s routine. Normally, Liana would pick up right away at this hour. The silence made her uneasy.

She called Elian back; his line was busy.

He called her a moment later. “Did she pick up?”

“No. She’s usually cooking and listening to audiobooks now. She should’ve answered me immediately.” Lily spelled out her concern.

“I need to make other calls. If you hear anything, let me know. Thanks.” He hung up, a cold dread settling in his gut.

A moment later, the principal called. “Mr. Locke, we checked the security footage. Ms. Keane was abducted by two people in the parking lot.”

“License plate.” His voice was clipped.

The principal read it out.

Elian was already in the elevator, heading for the garage.

As he slid into the driver’s seat, he dialed another number, firing up the engine as he waited for the pick-up.

“Elian?”

The voice on the other end was surprised.

“I swear-if Liana so much as gets a scratch, the Forrest family won’t be able to set foot in Alderidge ever again.”

He sped out into the rain.

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12:02 Thu, Feb 12

Chapter 53 The Drugged Ginger Tea

+5 Pearls

Lawrence Forrest immediately left his office, phone to his ear, barking orders to his secretary. “Get the car. To the Forrest Villa. Now.”

“Yes, sir.”

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