Joyce panicked, shaking my legs. "Say something! Colten, please! Tell me that you would save me!"
I pulled my leg away from her grasp and turned to the group of men who had been watching.
"Where is Grayson?"
The leading man scoffed, "That man took the money and left her here. How would I know where he is?
"Are you here to buy her back?"
Joyce crawled over to hug my leg again, her eyes hopeful.
I asked in a deep voice, "How much do you want?"
The leader was momentarily taken aback, not expecting my swift agreement, and then a broad smile appeared on his face.
After years in business, I could see the calculations and greed in his eyes.
"One million dollars."
I raised an eyebrow and immediately shook my head.
"Then forget it. She isn't worth that much."
Joyce froze in shock, and the big men around her looked stunned, their eyes blazing with anger.
"How dare you fool me?"
The others rose from the couch, closing in on me, glaring at me.
"Are you messing with us? If you don't bring out the money today, neither you nor she is leaving this room."
I sighed, looking down at Joyce, who was still kneeling on the ground.
Her hair was messy, her clothes disheveled, and the handprints on her face made her look pitiful.
Yet, there was no fear in her eyes.
"Stop pretending, Joyce. I know you're not that smart. Grayson is behind this, isn't he?"
A flicker of panic crossed her eyes, and she started to back away.
"Colten, what are you talking about? I don't understand."
Just at that moment, I received a message that read "OK" on my phone. Then I lowered my gaze.
"Nothing. But Joyce, I won't go soft on you again."
After my words, the door was kicked open from the outside, and my friend entered with a group of policemen.
Joyce, unable to maintain her facade, quickly scrambled to her feet and instinctively looked toward a hidden corner of the room.
I sneered and, in her incredulous gaze, kicked open the hidden door in the room.
