Chapter 251

Howard's POV

"I go to the abandoned factory on Fifth Street in Brooklyn, and you go to the old pier in northern Long Island. Remember, don't tell anyone, don't call the police. or... I can't guarantee what will happen to these children.You have one hour." Sarah's voice was ice-cold through the phone before the call abruptly ended.

I stared at Annie's trembling hands as she held her phone, her eyes moist,lips quivering with fear. We hurriedly left the empty preschool,walking toward the parking lot as the night breeze carried the first chill of early autumn across our faces.

"Annie," I grabbed her hand, gently pulling her toward me, "I promise, I won't let anything happen to Lucy. No matter what, we'll rescue her and Brian."

Despite my words. I wasn't nearly as confident as I appeared. Sarah had clearly lost her mind. and what a desperate woman might do, even I couldn't predict. But right now, Annie needed certainty and support,not my doubts.

"I know it'Il be okay," Annie tried to force a smile that quickly crumbled,"but if Sarah hurts Lucy... or Brian..."

"Listen to me," I gently lifted her chin, making her look directly into my eyes, "We'll split up as she demands. But I won't let you face danger alone.

She nodded, taking a deep breath, and I could see her struggling to control

her emotions. This woman, still so strong after losing everything, made my heart contract with admiration. I silently vowed to protect our newly formed family at any cost.

We parted in the parking lot, Annie driving toward Long Island while I called a taxi. Inside the car. I watched Annie's vehicle heading in the opposite direction. The separation felt like physical pain, knowing she was heading into danger alone. The city lights blurred outside the window as my mind raced through possibilities and plans.

"Where to, sir?" the driver asked, interrupting my thoughts.

"Head north for now." I answered, needing time to think before finalizing my destination.

My fingers hovered over my phone, considering whether to call the police.But Sarah's threat made my blood freeze. Lucy, my niece, who became my daughter after my brother William's yacht accident-I couldn't risk her safety.

But going in without backup was equally dangerous. Sarah had clearly lost her rational judgment, making her unpredictable. I needed more information.

I quickly dialed Robert's number. A month ago, I had instructed him to create a fake "Howard Thompson" account to communicate with Sarah,monitoring her true intentions-a necessary precaution, especially as her attitude toward Annie grew increasingly hostile.

"Robert," I said in a low voice when the call connected, "I need information about Sarah. Has she been acting strange recently?"

"Howard?" Robert sounded confused. "I was about to contact you.

Something happened yesterday..."

"What?" I asked quickly, sensing the situation might be more complex than I imagined.

Robert paused, his voice heavy with guilt. "Yesterday I... I told Sarah about the fake account. I thought she should know we were monitoring her."

"You did what?" My voice was almost a roar. "Why didn't you consult me first?"

"I was going to tell you, but..." his voice carried clear defensiveness.

"She's kidnapped Lucy and Brian," I interrupted, anger washing over my rationality. "Why didn't you tell me about her reaction immediately?"

"My God..." I could hear him inhale sharply. "I thought she would just be angry with me. I never imagined she would... I'm sorry, Howard. I truly didn't anticipate..."

My hand tightened into a fist, knuckles turning white. Anger at Robert's unauthorized action boiled within me, but what's done was done. The current crisis was more important. I forced myself to calm down,needing clear thinking rather than pointless accusations.

"What's happened has happened. Now we must solve the problem. Send me the chat logs--I need to understand her recent state of mind."

"Sending them now," he responded immediately, voice filled with remorse.

Minutes later, the chat logs Robert sent ignited my fury. Sarah had been trying to seduce me while manipulating both Philip and Robert. Her messages revealed a calculated plan to replace Annie in my life, stopping

at nothing.

Even more disturbing were today's messages-after Philip's public scandal destroyed her career, her anger was directed entirely at Annie, apparently convinced Annie had orchestrated everything. Her final messages showed clear instability.filled with vengeful rhetoric.

Through these increasingly unhinged messages, I detected a pattern: Sarah wasn't targeting me-her target was Annie. She wanted to eliminate Annie so she could take her place. The children were just her leverage, bait to lure us in.

I faced an agonizing choice. Following Sarah's demands, I should go to the Long Island pier while Annie went to the abandoned factory in Brooklyn.But the situation had clearly escalated beyonad our initial expectations.Who could guarantee Sarah only wanted to meet us? If we followed her arrangement, separating to different locations, wouldn't we be playing right into her hands?

I closed my eyes, trying to clear my thoughts. Through these chat logs,Sarah's objective became crystal clear: she wasn't targeting me-her target was Annie. Lucy and Brian were merely pawns in her scheme.

If I went to the Long Island pier, Annie might face real danger in Brooklyn. But if I didn't follow Sarah's demands and went to find Annie instead. this might enrage Sarah, causing her to harm Lucy. Cold sweat beaded on my forehead; the weight of this decision was suffocating.

Analyzing Sarah's behavior pattern once more, I realized she needed Lucy and Brian as leverage to control us. If she truly harmed Lucy,she would lose that control. Lucy was more valuable to her alive as a hostage than as a victim. From this perspective, finding Annie and protecting her from harm seemed the more logical choice.

Decision made. I called Robert again, this time with clear instructions.

"Robert. I need you to go to the old pier in northern Long Island. Sarah is expecting me there, but I'm going to the abandoned factory in Brooklyn to find Annie."

"Are you sure?" Robert sounded concerned. "Isn't that violating her demands?"

"Sarah wants Annie, not me," I explained, my voice low with tension. "I must protect Annie. I need you to appear at the pier in my place. Don't approach Sarah directly, keep your distance, observe, and be ready to help if needed."

"Understood. I'm leaving now," Robert promised, guilt and determination clear in his voice. "Should I notify the police?"

"No, not yet. Sarah explicitly warned us not to contact anyone. Wait for my further instructions."

After hanging up. I told the taxi driver, "Take me to the abandoned factory on Fifth Street in Brooklyn."

As we drove toward Brooklyn. I silently prayed my judgment was correct.If I was wrong, the consequences would be unbearable. Annie's and Lucy's faces alternated in my mind-I had to protect them, my new family,the two most important people in my life.

"Hold on," I whispered to myself, "I'm coming for you both."