The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance novel Chapter 552

Anyone who dared kidnap his first love and his son without meticulous planning was simply courting death.

Joshua sat quietly on the side the entire time—saying nothing, making no comments, and not once trying to excuse himself to leave. He was doing everything possible to keep suspicion away from himself.

Another two hours passed before the kidnappers finally called.

"Mr. O'Brien, have you managed to gather the money?"

"It's ready."

"Good. Have your ex-wife deliver it to the address we send you. She’s got thirty minutes. And remember—she comes alone. If she brings anyone else, I’ll kill one of them. If she brings more than two… well, then don’t bother trying to ransom them at all."

Haynes was silent for a moment.

Stella spoke up. "Fine. But I want proof they’re both still alive and unharmed."

"Of course," the kidnapper replied.

A moment later, a video call came through.

On the screen, Keen and Rachel were tied to separate chairs. Keen’s eyes were red and puffy—he’d clearly been crying, but thankfully there were no obvious injuries. Rachel, on the other hand, looked much worse. Her hair was a tangled mess, her cheek badly swollen, streaked with blood and dirt.

The kidnapper grinned at the camera. "Say hello to your family."

Keen, still just a child and completely unprepared for a real kidnapping, was trembling with silent tears in his eyes. "Daddy… please, save me…"

Rachel lifted her head to the camera, wanting to speak, but her words dissolved into sobs. She looked utterly helpless.

Haynes' eyes darkened. "If you have a problem, take it out on me. What kind of coward targets a woman and a child?"

The kidnapper gave a chilling laugh. "Oh, I’d love to come after you directly, but you’re not exactly easy to get to. So, I had to start with the vulnerable ones."