Derek refused outright. “You want to use my phone to call the police, don’t you? You’re pretty smart, kid.” “Mister, I just want to play games, not make any calls,” Zachary pleaded, his gaze nothing short of genuine. But Derek wasn’t so easily fooled. “Shut up. Keep talking, and I’ll sew your mouth shut.”
Zachary had no choice but to stop talking, scanning the surroundings for any chance to escape. But it quickly became clear that there was none. As a child, he was no match for Derek, a grown man, especially with others around to back him up. The only hope left was to somehow get his location to Tristan. Since he hadn’t returned last night, Tristan and the others were likely searching for him.
But with Derek being so cold and refusing to give him any communication devices, Zachary knew he’d have to find another way. He would have to try one of the other captors.
…
Chaos erupted back at the Shaw residence.
Upon learning that Zachary was missing, Archibald issued a stern order to find him at all costs, even if it meant turning Tirion upside down.
“Who dares to mess with the Shaw family? If I find out who it is, I’ll skin them alive!” Archibald snarled, his eyes filled with fury.
Then, he turned his ire on Tristan. “The kid was in the washroom for two hours, and you didn’t even think to check on him? How could you be so careless?”
Tristan was already deeply distressed. Not only had he developed a bond with Zachary, but the latter was also Xavier’s son. If something happened to the boy, Xavier would likely be out for his blood too.
“I was negligent,” Tristan admitted, frowning deeply. “But I don’t understand it. Usually, when someone kidnaps a child, they do it for ransom. Why haven’t those people called to demand anything yet?” “Could it be an enemy from the past?” Archibald speculated.
Tristan’s list of enemies was longer than Xavier’s… The thought darkened his expression even more. If this was the work of one of his enemies, Zachary might already be dead.
Tristan turned to Kiki, who was already panicking. “We need to inform Xavier.”
“Inform Xavier?” Kiki’s eyes widened in shock.
“What else can we do? It will be too slow if we look for Zac alone. The Lane family should also send people out to help. If we act quickly, we can find him. It’ll take less than a day to find him, dead or alive.”
Dead?
Kiki’s face turned even paler.
“It’s all your fault! If you had been more careful, Zac wouldn’t have been kidnapped!” She accused him her voice trembling. “I regret not going with you last night. It’s all your fault for not letting me come along.”
Kiki had wanted to join them, but Tristan had refused. He hadn’t wanted to draw attention by bringing her along.
“How was I supposed to know something like this would happen?” Tristan shot back. He had always been a lone wolf, never afraid of making enemies. But now, fear gripped him. As he ordered his men to investigate his old enemies, he nervously dialed Xavier’s number.
“What is it?” Xavier answered.
“Xavier, I’ve lost your son,” Tristan confessed.
Xavier and Yvette had already
returned home by then. Hearing Tristan’s words, Xavier was momentarily confused-what son? Then, seeing Noah nearby, he realized Tristan was talking about Zachary.
“Are you talking about Zac?”
“Yes, I took him to a party last night. Someone kidnapped him while he was in the washroom…”
Xavier’s expression grew instantly serious. So the call Yvette had received about a missing child wasn’t about Noah; it was about Zachary.
“I understand. Don’t tell Yvette yet. I’ll immediately send people to find him.”
Xavier was worried that Yvette’s emotions would be affected, and that would in turn lead to serious consequences if she learned that Zachary had been kidnapped.