Mr. Valentine's heavy gaze fell upon Sophia Ashcroft.
More than twenty years had passed.
They were now the most familiar strangers to each other.
The air grew still.
Marcus Valentine cleared his throat, breaking the silence. "Mrs. Ashcroft, what brings you here?"
Sophia's fingertips trembled slightly.
She suddenly realized.
This Mr. Valentine was the handsome older man Evelyn had mentioned.
Had he seen Evelyn's face?
If he knew Evelyn was her daughter…
A phone ringtone cut through the air abruptly.
Sophia saw Evelyn's name on the screen and answered immediately.
A cold, electronic voice spoke from the other end. "I have your daughter."
Sophia's pupils constricted sharply. "What?"
"I've sent you the location."
The call ended abruptly.
Sophia looked down at her phone.
The GPS location showed it was out at sea!
Her face instantly turned pale.
Mr. Valentine noticed something was wrong and stepped forward immediately. "What's happened?"
Sophia trembled as she called the police. "I need to report a kidnapping. My daughter has been taken…"
She turned and rushed out of the private room.
Mr. Valentine followed without hesitation. "What's going on?"
Sophia clenched her phone tightly. "Valentine, please help me…"
…
Evelyn Ross jolted awake.
Her heart pounded like a drum.
She found herself tied up inside a ship's cabin.
A strange fragrance lingered in the air.
The effects of a potent sedative made her head feel heavy and muddled.
Grace Nan lay unconscious across from her.
Handcuffs locked her wrists to a metal pole.
Water was seeping into the bottom of the boat.
The vessel was slowly sinking.
The water level was about to submerge the entire ship.
The air in the cabin grew increasingly thin.
If they didn't escape within a minute, they would certainly die.
Whoever did this wanted them dead!
Evelyn's eyes turned sharp.
She didn't hesitate to dislocate her finger joints.
The intense pain instantly cleared her mind.
She freed herself from the handcuffs and rushed to Grace's side. "Wake up!"
Grace's eyes fluttered open groggily.
Seeing their situation, her pupils dilated in shock. "It's them… They found us! They're going to kill us!"
Evelyn checked her handcuffs. "Who are they?"
Grace's finger joints were too large.
She couldn't break free like Evelyn had.
Evelyn picked up a rod and smashed it against the handcuffs.
"Clang!"
The handcuffs didn't budge.
Tears streamed down Grace's face. "They want you dead… It's my fault they found you!"
Evelyn continued to strike the handcuffs.
Breathing became increasingly difficult.
Grace looked out the window.
The boat had completely submerged underwater.
"Evelyn, leave me! Get out of here!"
Evelyn didn't stop her efforts.
Grace smiled bitterly in despair. "Maybe it's better if someone like me dies…"
"Shut up!" Evelyn said sharply. "Think about Chloe! Would you let that mistress abuse her?"
Grace's eyes suddenly filled with determination. "You're right… I can't die!"
She looked at her hand. "Smash my hand! Break it if you have to!"
Evelyn tightened her grip on the rod.
Water rushed into the cabin wildly.
Time was running out.
"...Open your palm."
Grace closed her eyes, trembling.
Evelyn struck down ruthlessly!
"Thud!"
Grace let out a muffled groan.
Her little finger was a bloody mess.
Evelyn quickly dislocated the joint.
She pulled Grace's hand free from the handcuff.
"Go!"
Evelyn smashed the window.
The glass shattered upon impact.
The current swept furniture toward them.
Both women struggled to swim out of the cabin.
They fought their way upward toward the surface.
Sunlight was just within reach.
But Evelyn suddenly felt all her strength leave her.
Her vision began to darken.
Her iron deficiency anemia was acting up.
Her body sank uncontrollably.
Grace looked back at her.
Struggle flashed in her eyes.
She gritted her teeth.
And continued swimming upward.
Evelyn slowly closed her eyes.
Maybe it was better to end it like this…
A hand suddenly grabbed her wrist!