Part 3The $100k Bonus and the $800k Bill

With that, she motioned to some of her henchmen, ordering them to sever my tendons. My hands and feet were bound, making movement impossible. I screamed in desperation, “I am Astrid Vance’s son! If you touch me, she’ll make you pay!” But then, a sharp pain shot through my thigh as I felt a deep gash.

“Still running your mouth even when death is at your doorstep? Today, not even the Almighty can save you!”

The excruciating pain plunged me into despair. Just then, a knock came at the door, and a voice called out, “Ramona, the Big Boss is here! She wants to pick out a private room for a birthday celebration! She’s looking for you!”

Ramona’s face lit up. “Really? The Big Boss hasn’t been here in ages. I need to make a good impression this time!” Then, with a look of disgust, she pointed at me. “Deal with this pretty boy immediately. Don’t let the Big Boss see him; he’ll only bring bad luck!”

With that, Ramona and her crew rushed out of the room. The only person Ramona would call “Big Boss” was my mother, Astrid Vance. Could it be her? Hope surged within me. If I wanted to escape, now was my only chance.

As I was being led out of the room, my head still covered, I suddenly kicked the man holding me in the groin. He groaned, immediately loosening his grip. I stumbled, desperate to flee. But unfamiliar with the hotel layout and hampered by my injured leg, I tumbled down the stairs. The fall knocked the wind out of me! Before I could even react, the man from behind me rushed forward and slammed something hard into the back of my head.

“You little bastard, how dare you kick me? I’ll beat you to death!”

My head spun. I thought I saw my mother’s figure at the end of the hallway. Then, I was dragged away, losing consciousness.

When I woke up, I was tied in a utility closet, my mouth taped shut. There was no one around. Had everyone rushed off to greet Astrid? That meant my mom was still here. As long as she was, I had a chance! I quickly shuffled to a corner, desperately trying to rub the ropes against the wall.

Just then, hushed voices drifted from outside the door. I strained to listen, and to my shock, it was Valerie!

“Did you get the money? Give me my cut!”

The person on the other side sounded annoyed. “You have the nerve to ask! This pretty boy only had a hundred grand in his account and dared to impersonate the Big Boss’s son. He’s got a death wish! But he does look pretty good.”

“You should take this chance to check his car for anything else valuable. My husband’s not here, so I’m going to have some fun inside!”

“It’s been ages since I’ve seen such a fresh-faced pretty boy!”

Valerie was silent for a moment, then her voice was tinged with disgust. “He used to act so high and mighty around me, I thought he was some untouchable prince. Never thought he’d be licking other women behind my back!”

“But he must have money. His car alone is worth over a hundred thousand. How could he not afford eight hundred thousand in ransom?!”

My heart sank. I had always believed Valerie was fragile and innocent, incapable of harming me. I thought someone must have forced her. But it was all a façade. This was her true face! I’d been such a fool, buying her gifts and taking her to fancy dinners the moment I got my bonus. I was completely misguided.

Just then, the ropes on my arm were almost severed. I was about to celebrate, but the next second, I heard the click of the lock turning. I quickly scanned my surroundings. The window was sealed. Escape was impossible. I gripped the nearly broken rope, quickly retreated to the wall, and pretended I had just woken up.