Chapter 163
Vivian slept for a long time, aided by medication and her own exhaustion. When she awoke from her slumber, Oahu Island had already embraced its twilight.
She lay back on the comfortable bed, gazing at the ceiling. Her emotions were stable, showing no sign of the impending breakdown before her coma.
“Has Vilem sent any news?” Vivian asked, her tone ethereal and gentle, almost like a whisper.
Although Mare heard her, he had been sitting on the couch in Vivian’s room for hours, causing his legs to feel slightly numb. Glancing at his phone for emails, he replied, “Nothing.”Property © NôvelDrama.Org.
Vivian closed her eyes expressionlessly, unsurprised by the outcome.
“Vivian…” Mare stood up and approached Vivian’s bed. He was unsure how to console her, but he couldn’t let Vivian leave Hawaii for the sake of her and the child’s safety, as Alajos had made extensive efforts…
“I know.” Vivian interrupted Mare, “I’m sorry, please forget my previous request. I won’t leave here.”
Vivian’s change of heart caught Mare off guard. He widened his eyes, feeling puzzled by Vivian’s sudden shift. “I’m glad you’ve made that decision, but can you tell me why?”
“Because…” Vivian blinked at the ceiling, feeling mentally clear but also floating in the air, “Yoshiye told me that I’m not alone now. My safety concerns not just me, but the child and Alajos. Whether I’m in Houston or Los Angeles, it won’t change anything. Staying in Hawaii is the best way to help Alajos, isn’t it?”
Though Vivian spoke the truth, Mare felt both relieved and saddened by her realization. “Don’t worry too much, rest assured, believe that Vilem will have news soon.” Mare comforted.
Weary, Vivian closed her eyes, feeling a heavy sense of helplessness engulfing her from within, heart to body. No one to confide in, no one to aid her in escape.
A whole week passed, with no useful news from those searching for Vilem. Barron led Bratva members in a second attack on a warehouse in Los Angeles, destroying millions worth of goods and mercilessly slaughtering the guards.
This was the second major attack in a week, and Joseph had no effective response, further fueling the discontent of those in the organization who had already doubted him.
After another questioning phone call ended, a series of smashing sounds echoed behind Mark.
Joseph fiercely smashed the decor on the table to the ground, “Is there no way to stop him?”
Mark waited for Joseph to calm down, then wearily touched his forehead, “To show our commitment to Bratva, Bryson voluntarily exposed the locations of several major warehouses in Los Angeles to them. Barron attacked two of them.”
Joseph cursed, “What about Houston?”
“Alajos has been trying to find Vilem’s whereabouts, but with little success,” Mark shrugged, “Are you considering taking action?”
“Killing Vilem?” Joseph sneered, “He’s not as incompetent as we thought. Damn it, I can’t even find the nail he buried within the organization!” If Joseph hadn’t sensed the presence of a force loyal to Bryson within the organization, he would have killed Vilem on the first day of his abduction.
“No, not Vilem.” Mark said, “I’m talking about Vivian.”
“Vivian? Planning to use her as leverage against Alajos?” Joseph frowned, “We’ve discussed this, not touching Alajos for now.”
“Yes, but the situation we’re facing is dire. Barron knows too many of our secrets and is too aggressive. We need to kill him to turn the tide.” Mark laid out his plan, “Kidnap Vivian, use her to threaten Alajos, and have Houston provide us with battle assistance, without expecting anything in return.”
Lopaka, Joseph’s most trusted subordinate, had kidnapped Vilem to ensure his information remained secure, preventing Lopaka’s men from leaving the Los Angeles area for a short time.
Mark suggested using his own man, Chaquille.
“Chaquille has people near Vivian, right?”
Mark looked at Joseph, smiled, revealing a row of pristine white teeth, “Indeed, a very capable assistant.”
Meanwhile, in Joseph’s apartment, Luzia heard the door open and descended from upstairs.
Glancing at the kitchen, Mary seemed to be out.
“How’s it going?” Luzia rushed towards Alajos, whispering, “Any news?”
Luzia addressed Vivian’s mother, Tasneem.
Locating Tasneem and bringing her to Hawaii was one of the significant reasons Alajos had remained in Los Angeles.
Alajos shook his head.
Although she had already suspected this outcome, Luzia couldn’t help but feel disappointed when she received confirmation, “Where could she be hidden?”
Luzia started to doubt herself, “Could I have been wrong? Did Mrs. Tasneem actually leave Los Angeles and travel to Europe for recovery, as Bryson claimed?”
Alajos was less optimistic than Luzia, “I lean more towards the possibility that she’s already dead.”