Save Myself From Desperation by Cara Agnes novel Chapter 325

Joseph noticed it was getting late and decided to tell Ashley it was time to go back.

Throughout the day, Ashley helped solve the archaeological team's difficulties, and the remaining tasks could be handled by the team.

However, when Joseph looked around, he couldn't find a trace of anyone.

As the day turned dark, he wondered where Ashley had run off.

Joseph called Ashley, but there was no answer even after the call was automatically disconnected.

He furrowed his brows, turned around, and sought out Paul, asking, "Mr. Walker, have you seen Ashley?"

Paul was busy jotting down notes. Upon hearing Joseph's inquiry, He pointed to the right rear. "I saw Ashley over there making a call earlier. She should be around. Let me take you there."

As they walked over, scanning the area, there was still no sign of her.

"Ashley?" Joseph called out, but there was no response.

Joseph's heart skipped a beat, and he immediately panicked. He redialed Ashley's phone, and this time, he heard the ringing nearby.

Following the sound, Paul turned his gaze towards the source. He spotted a bright light in the darkness and quickly exclaimed, "Over there!"

Joseph strode over and noticed Ashley's phone lying on the ground. The phone screen lit up because of his call.

Her phone was on the ground, but she was nowhere to be found.

Joseph's heart sank abruptly. He quickly bent down to pick up Ashley's phone, thinking, 'Don't fright me, Ashley. I'm way too much of a scaredy-cat for that!'

*****

In the study of Kingsley Villa, Valentin sat behind his desk, his expression icy as he reviewed a crucial contract for an important project. Flipping through to the last page, he grasped the pen, poised to sign.

After scribbling just two strokes, he felt a sharp pain in his heart.

Valentin's hand, holding the pen, stopped abruptly. His thoughts inexplicably became chaotic, and the pen lingered on the paper for an extended moment, a black ink blot spreading gradually.

Frowning, Valentin put the pen aside, checked the time on his phone, and realized Ashley should be boarding the plane soon.

Pausing for a moment of contemplation, he decided to give her a call and inquire.

Just as he was about to call her, his phone rang, and it was Joseph.

Valentin casually answered the call.

"Valentin!" Joseph's voice sounded panicked through the phone. "Something's wrong! Ashley is missing! I searched everywhere and couldn't find her."

As soon as Joseph finished speaking, he felt a chilling and overwhelming sense of pressure through the phone, causing him to swallow nervously, with cold sweat on his forehead.

Valentin's voice suddenly became extremely low, as if surrounded by the icy winds of an extreme cold. "Tell me the details."

At this point, Joseph didn't dare to hide anything. He spilled it all out in one go. "I just searched everywhere and couldn't find Ashley. I only found her phone on the ground. I suspect someone took her away. But there's no surveillance, so I can't figure out who it was.

"I scoured the nearby area, but there were no signs of struggle. When Ashley disappeared, I didn't hear her calling out to me. I suspect those people might have had knives or firearms. Ashley was forcibly taken. If they had guns, they're definitely not regular.

"Valentin, it just occurred to me about the previous kidnapping of Miranda. But now, Evan and Jessica are both in jail. They couldn't have hired desperate criminals to kidnap Ashley. Could it be someone else?"

Joseph's brows furrowed tightly, and frustration was evident in his voice. "Who would have a grudge against Ashley? There's not even a surveillance camera around here. I'm totally clueless now."

Valentin's gaze turned ominously cold, and before him, a figure gradually took shape.

'What's going on? Could something have happened? Did Ashley escape?

'No way! I have hired four thugs with a rap sheet, all carrying guns. How could they lose sight of just one person?'

Cara grasped this realization, easing her tension slightly. Planning to call the scar-faced man again, she suddenly heard a loud and impatient knocking on the door.

She thought, 'It seemed quite formidable. Who could it be?'

Cara's expression shifted, placing the old phone back in the drawer. She turned and walked to the entrance, cautiously peering outside through the peephole.

Seeing several tall and muscular men standing outside the door, Cara's heart skipped a beat, thinking, 'Who are these people? Why are they here?'

Cara furrowed her brow, looking again. Suddenly, she was stunned. She saw that man, the one who often appeared in her dreams.

Valentin had a statuesque figure adorned in a crisp white shirt, exuding refined elegance. With just a simple stance, everyone around him seemed to fade into the background, merely serving as his backdrop.

Cara was initially taken aback, then excitement flickered in her eyes.

She thought, 'Valentin. Why is he here?'

In an instant, Cara's heart pounded like thunder. Nervously, she wanted to open the door immediately. Then, she remembered something, hastily raising her hand to tidy her hair and adjusting her clothes. Glancing at the nearby mirror, she ensured her appearance was flawless before quietly exhaling a sigh of relief.

The desire to maintain a perfect image in front of the admired man prompted Cara to adjust her hair again before opening the door.

"Mr. Kings..." This address had just started to be uttered tenderly when two bodyguards stormed in, restraining her from both sides.

Cara instinctively struggled, but she couldn't break free. Lifting her gaze towards Valentin, she bit her lower lip, appearing gentle and aggrieved. "Mr. Kingsley, what does this mean?"