Hitched & Hitched Again: A Comedy of Marital Mayhem novel Chapter 1178

Elysia was in a tough spot again.

After what felt like an eternity, she emerged from the bathroom, her eyes puffy and red.

"Mommy!"

"I'm okay, really. Don't worry about me. You guys go and play," she reassured Elliot and Evan, sending them off before returning to her booth to continue the conversation with Zane.

"It's definitely Winona in the video this time, no doubt about it," Elysia confirmed, her voice shaky.

"Yeah, I saw it too. But don't lose hope just yet. Things could be worse—she's still alive, even if she's suffering," Zane replied, trying to offer some comfort.

Elysia took a deep, shaky breath, "If we don't call the cops, how do we get Winona out?"

"Here's what I'm thinking: for her safety, we hold off on calling the authorities. We do what the kidnappers say for now. Once we have Winona safe, then we go to the police."

Elysia nodded in agreement, "Right. Winona's safety comes first. So, what are their demands?"

"They want money, and they want the Newsom family heirloom."

"How much money are we talking about?" Elysia asked.

"A billion!" Zane declared.

Her eyes widened, "How much?!"

"A billion dollars. U.S. dollars."

Elysia was stunned into silence.

Tarquin and the kids heard the figure loud and clear, and they all frowned in unison. Even with their wealth, a billion dollars was an astronomical sum. Zane was clearly trying to exploit the situation, using Winona as leverage to extort money from Tarquin.

Ridley probably couldn't come up with that kind of cash, but Tarquin could. Zane was aiming to squeeze Tarquin for the billion dollars and snag Ridley's heirloom jewels while he was at it. His plan was as cunning as it was bold.

"If he truly loves you, he'd give you anything—no questions asked, not even a billion dollars," Zane said, trying to sound convincing.

Elysia was taken aback. So, if she asked Tarquin for a billion dollars and he dared to ask why, it meant he didn't love her? What a manipulative jerk!

She cursed Zane inwardly, but outwardly she nodded, "I understand. I won't tell him the whole story yet."

"Good. Let's stay in touch."

With that, Elysia parted ways with Zane and took Elliot and Evan back to Number One Mansion.

As soon as they got in the car, Evan piped up, "We heard everything. He just wants Dad's money!"

Elysia frowned, "I know."

Elliot sat quietly, his little face serious and thoughtful. It seemed like the situation might be more complicated than just money.