Suddenly There Are Three (Bailey and Artemis) novel Chapter 685

Chapter 685 Scammed

That despicable b*tch cost me everything, so I'm determined to settle the score and reclaim what is rightfully mine!

Even if it meant dying, she would drag that vile woman down with her.

“I don't believe you hold no resentment toward me. Had it not been for my mother's vanity and her switching of the children, your daughter wouldn't have been cast out. You may seem to be protecting me now, but once you realize the truth, I'll be thrown out of the house. Instead of being left homeless like a stray dog, I might as well strike first and prevent any possible harm. I have done nothing wrong. In this game of survival of the fittest, I must protect myself. If I don't act in my own interest, I will be doomed,” Zoey uttered.

The disappointment in Steven's eyes deepened.

This was the daughter they had raised in the Shurmer family—a woman who harbored such a malicious heart.

Instead of repenting for her mistakes, Zoey took a turn for the worse, proving herself to be utterly obstinate.

They were blinded in the past. Steven couldn't believe that they had hurt their own flesh and blood for this insolent girl.

“Enough. There is no point in saying more. You still have a long road ahead, so just take care of yourself,” Steven said flatly.

A mocking smile crossed Zoey's face.

Her mother had decided to save her, so a plan must be in place.

Perhaps she could still turn the tables. Anything was possible before the final verdict was reached.

The car drove down a tree-lined avenue and slowly stopped at the roadside bend.

Seeing three cars across the road, Steven narrowed his eyes, a glint of caution flickering within.

After parking, he went over to the passenger seat and held a knife to Zoey's throat.

They were once father and daughter, but now they were captor and captive. It seemed that fate truly enjoyed toying with people.

“Open the door. When your mother gives me what I want, I'll release you. Don't worry. I won't harm you out of our decades-long bond as father and daughter. However, I must retrieve what belongs to me,” Steven said.

Zoey saw her mother approaching with several cars, and she didn't wish to be threatened by this old man.

Hence, she obediently opened the door and got out first.

Steven followed closely behind.

Under the streetlight, Steven could figure out the silhouette of a middle-aged man's face.

He furrowed his brows and said, “Let Sofie know to come out and see me.”

The man laughed. “Ms. Carr doesn't trust you and is afraid you might ambush her. That's why she didn't come. Mr. Shurmer, you know her current situation is precarious. She must be careful, and it's only natural for her not to show up tonight. However, don't worry, she entrusted me to meet you, and we can proceed with the transaction.”

Steven frowned but knew that meeting Sofie wasn't his primary goal.

As long as he could exchange Zoey for the evidence Sofie held, who he met didn't matter. He hadn't lost sight of his objective for the meeting.

“Fine, let's talk. Did you bring what I want? Let's make a fair exchange. You hand over what I want, and I release her.”

The middle-aged man agreed readily. “All right. We'll do as you say, Mr. Shurmer.”

He slowly raised his hand as he spoke, and the bodyguards surrounding them retreated.

The man held a memory card between his fingers and raised an eyebrow. “All the evidence is in here. Release Ms. Zoey, and I'll throw it to you.”

Steven was no fool. How could an ordinary memory card deceive him?

Who knows what's really inside the memory card? I'm going to be doomed if there are only a couple of movies or even songs inside.

“I see your memory card,” Steven conceded, “but I cannot say the same for its contents. Please, insert it into a laptop and let me examine its contents. Once I've verified its legitimacy, I'll release Zoey.”

The middle-aged man chuckled softly, extending a thumb in approval.

“Mr. Shurmer, you are indeed a genuine businessman, concerned only with profits and shunning losses. It seems I must produce the legit stuff before you will release Ms. Zoey. Very well; let us proceed as you request. Bring a laptop.”

The next moment, a black-clad bodyguard presented a laptop.

The middle-aged man inserted the memory card while smiling. “Mr. Shurmer, can you truly see from such a distance? Or would you prefer to come closer? You're holding Ms. Zoey hostage, after all. We dare not make any rash moves.”

Steven thought for a moment and pushed Zoey to approach the middle-aged man.

Steven thought for a moment and pushed Zoey to approach the middle-aged man.

The screen flickered, and a blinding and seemingly thousand-watt light burst forth.

Steven, unable to withstand the blinding light, closed his eyes tightly.

In an instant, the middle-aged man dashed toward the pair, swift as a specter. He viciously kicked Steven's arm, fracturing it with a sickening snap. The blade grazed Zoey's neck, leaving a bloody, albeit not fatal, gash.

The man yanked Zoey from Steven's embrace and aimed another kick.

However, after a few seconds' respite, Steven had adapted to the light.

He nimbly evaded the blow and launched a counterattack.

A black-clad bodyguard hurried forward, urgently reporting, “Boss, we're in trouble. Mr. Zeke Shurmer has brought reinforcements!”

The middle-aged man's face darkened.

He had brought many men tonight but could not afford to lose them all, as that would be difficult to explain to Sofie.

“Tell them to withdraw immediately. Do not engage.”

“Yes, Boss.”

Zoey, noticing Steven's broken arm, quickly interjected, “Capture him! We can use him to threaten Zeke and Bailey. He is, after all, their father.”

The middle-aged man's eyes flickered with indecision. He should retreat instead of engaging in a deadly battle with this old man.

However, a change of heart altered his course of action.

She's right. Capturing Steven will certainly threaten Zeke and Bailey.

“Take him down!”

“Yes, Boss.”

The middle-aged man led Zoey to a nearby vehicle.

“Ms. Zoey, we must leave quickly. If they capture Steven, all the better. If not, we're only going to lose a few henchmen. We cannot wait here to die. The men I've brought are no match for Zeke.”

Zoey bit her lip, slowly ceasing her struggles.

All right, then.

She, too, feared death.

Having only recently gained her freedom, she didn't want to be recaptured.

In the distance, gunfire and battle cries echoed ominously.

By the time Zeke was done dealing with the lurking assassins and arrived at the scene, ten long minutes had already passed.