Unemployed Family? Hidden Tycoons Dote On Her novel Chapter 654

If she had lost them and anything happened to Arabella, what would she do?

"I'm looking," the driver replied, his own panic rising. How could the car have vanished the moment he glanced away?

"Ugh, you're no help!" Brielle pushed the car door open and stepped out, scanning the surroundings anxiously.

Arabella's car was nowhere in sight, and Brielle felt the color slowly drain from her face.

"Where are they?" A sharp, cold voice cut through the air beside her. Brielle flinched.

She turned to see Matthew. "They were right here, and then—gone in an instant," she answered, her voice shaky.

"Andy, look into it," Matthew said, his tone strained as though holding back anger.

"Matthew, those two men were terrifying—they went straight for Arabella. At first I thought they were just muggers, but they grabbed her and drove off. I tried to follow. I called you. I didn't mean to lose them... Oh God, Arabella can't be hurt!" Brielle's crying grew heavier now.

She had managed to keep herself together earlier, forcing calm over her fear.

But seeing Matthew broke that composure completely.

For a moment, she'd felt like there was backup, that Arabella could still be saved—only to lose sight of her all over again.

Matthew rubbed his temple. "Take her home," he told the driver.

"I want to stay and help," Brielle insisted. She couldn't leave now—not until she knew Arabella was safe.

"You won't help standing here. Go home and wait for updates," Matthew said flatly. Without another glance, he turned and got back into his car.

"Mr. Stewart, I've got something. They took the left turn up ahead—looks like they're heading toward the outskirts," Andy reported.

"Go," Matthew ordered, his voice low.

"Yes, sir." Andy swung the car sharply into the left lane.

"Matthew!" Brielle tried to run after them, but the driver gently held her back. "Ms. Miller, let's just head home and wait. We won't be much help out there, and we might even get in Mr. Stewart's way."

Brielle shot him an angry look. "So you think I'm useless too?"

"No, not at all," the driver said quickly. "If it weren't for you, no one would've known Dr. Hamilton was taken. You called for help. She's going to be fine—Mr. Stewart will bring her back safe. Try not to worry."

Brielle bit her lip stubbornly. "Then I'll wait right here."

If they wouldn't let her go along, she refused to go home either.

They had come this way—they'd have to come back this way. She'd wait right on this spot.

The driver studied her determined expression and finally nodded. "All right, Ms. Miller. Let's get in the car—I'll pull over by the curb."

"Okay," Brielle agreed this time.

Just then, her phone rang.

She glanced at the screen—Lucas—and answered with a frown. "Grumpy."

Matthew held up a hand to stop him. "They probably don't realize they were followed. Don't spook them. Make sure she's safe first."

"Got it. I'll be careful." Andy moved quietly toward a side window he'd spotted along the warehouse wall. He eased closer and peered inside.

What he saw made his heart jump.

Arabella stood with her back against the corner of the room. In front of her were two rough-looking men, each holding a gleaming knife pointed right at her.

"Who are you?" Arabella's voice came out steady, surprisingly calm. "Why did you bring me here? What do you want?"

The two kidnappers—one tall, one shorter—exchanged a look.

The taller one spoke first, "Your life."

Arabella frowned. "Did the Johnstons send you?"

"How'd you know?" the shorter man blurted, eyes widening.

The taller one smacked him hard across the shoulder. "Shut your mouth!"

He turned back to Arabella, his expression hardening. "Yeah, we were hired for a job, but we're not telling you who by. Just accept your fate. Next time, be smarter—don't cross the wrong people."

"But he already told me," Arabella said, nodding toward the shorter guy.

"He didn't say anything," the tall man replied, his face blank.