Every word was like a sharp knife, piercing into Xia Ye's heart.
He felt a suffocating pain spread throughout his body, as if he had been hit by a heavy object.
He knew that this was the gangsters' ultimatum to him.
They gave him no choice but an option he couldn't refuse.
The atmosphere in the command center instantly solidified.
Jing Tao noticed something was wrong. He immediately stepped forward and asked nervously: "Mr. Xia, what's wrong? Is there anything new?"
Xia Ye showed the phone screen to Jing Tao.
The cold text message content made Jing Tao frown.
He took a deep breath and looked at Xia Ye: "Is this true?"
Xia Ye nodded, her voice low and hoarse: "Yes, they want me to pay the ransom alone."
This news was like a bombshell exploding in the command center.
Everyone stopped what they were doing and looked at Xia Ye and Jing Tao in shock.
They know what this means -
The gangsters have lost patience and are ready to take risks.
"This is too dangerous!"
A department leader immediately said, "We can't let Mr. Xia take risks alone!"
"Yes! We must make a careful plan!" Another leader also echoed.
The command center instantly fell into chaos.
The police began to discuss various possible plans busily, while the leaders gathered around Xia Ye, trying to persuade him to give up this dangerous idea.
"Mr. Xia, you can't go!" Jing Tao held Xia Ye's wrist and said firmly, "We can't risk your life!"
However, Xia Ye gently broke away from Jing Tao's hand.
He looked at everyone present and bowed deeply: "Thank you leaders for your concern and support, but I know I have to go. For Qiqi, I can't let her get any harm."
As he spoke, he turned and walked towards the exit of the command center.
His back looked so lonely and firm under the light, like an unshakable mountain.
He knew this was a life and death battle!
But he is ready. For Qiqi, he must win!
Xia Ye returned to the company with a terrifyingly gloomy face.
He directly ordered the finance department to prepare 100 million in cash, and then returned to the office.
Jiang Mu had been waiting here anxiously. When she saw Xia Ye coming back, she immediately pounced on him.
"Xia Ye, you must bring Qiqi back!" Jiang Mu cried and begged, her eyes filled with helplessness and fear, "I can't lose Qiqi, I can't..."
As she said that, she knelt down in front of Xia Ye.
Xia Ye's heart ached, and he quickly helped Jiang Mu up and gently wiped the tears on her face.
"Don't worry, I will definitely bring Qiqi back." Xia Ye's voice was firm but gentle, "Believe me, I will definitely do it."
After comforting Jiang Mu, Xia Ye's mood became heavier.
He knew that the road ahead would be more difficult and dangerous, but he had no choice but to move forward.
He left the company alone, followed the gangster's instructions, and drove to a suburban warehouse.
Along the way, Xia Ye's thoughts were in a mess.
He kept thinking back to the scene when Qiqi was kidnapped, and his heart was filled with guilt and self-blame.
If he could have taken good care of Qiqi and not let her leave his sight, maybe this thing wouldn't have happened.
But now, he must cheer up. For Qiqi and that family, he must win this battle.
The car bumped along the desolate suburban road, and the surroundings were deserted. Only a few crows flying by occasionally broke the deathly silence.
Xia Ye's heart was full of vigilance. He was always paying attention to the movements around him, for fear of any accident happening.
Finally, the car arrived in front of a remote warehouse.
Xia Ye got out of the car and looked around, finding that there were no other buildings except this warehouse.
The door of the warehouse was closed tightly, and there was an eerie atmosphere.
Xia Ye took a deep breath and tried to stay calm and collected.
He knew that he couldn't panic or lose his mind, otherwise it would only make things worse.
He walked to the warehouse door and pushed open the heavy door.
As the door panel creaked, a cold wind blew out of the warehouse.
He walked into the warehouse, and his figure looked particularly lonely under the dim light!
When Xia Ye walked into the dark and gloomy warehouse, a strong smell of mold and dust hit his face, making him frown slightly.
His eyes scanned around the warehouse and finally settled on a corner.
There, Qiqi was tied to an old chair, her mouth was sealed, and she made a weak whimpering sound.
Beside her, there were several vicious gangsters standing with ferocious smiles on their faces, as if they were admiring their "masterpiece".
Seeing the arrival of Xia Ye, one of the gangsters came over with a more vicious smile on his face.
He held a bright dagger in his hand and waved it in front of Xia Ye. They were well-informed and already knew that Xia Ye had the company prepare 100 million in cash.
"Did you bring the money?" the gangster asked with a grin.
Xia Ye nodded. Following the other party's instructions, he sent someone to place the money several kilometers away from here, outside an abandoned factory.
After all, he can't carry 100 million in cash alone.
As these gangsters were well-informed, he knew that he could not act rashly and had to ensure Qiqi's safety first.
"Very good, now let us see your sincerity." The gangster said, pointing at Qiqi, "Back off! Let us wait until our people get the money."
Xia Ye took a few steps back according to the gangster's request.
His eyes never left the vicious gangsters, and there was a hint of calmness and determination in his eyes.
He knew that any rash action at this time might threaten Qiqi's life, so he chose to obey temporarily.
at the same time,
In a corner of the warehouse, a gangster was holding a mobile phone and whispering instructions into the microphone.
He described in detail where the cash was placed and urged the other party to act as quickly as possible.
This location is a few kilometers away from the warehouse and is a remote abandoned factory.
Outside the abandoned factory, an inconspicuous large truck drove quietly.
After receiving the call, the people in the car quickly got out of the car and opened the cargo box.
They moved the cash box by box into the car quickly and without making any sound.
These people all had their faces covered, obviously not wanting to reveal their identities.
After the transportation was completed, the truck quietly left the scene and drove toward the distance.
And all of this happened outside of Xia Ye's sight.
Little did he know that the gangsters had already secretly begun their next plan.
In the warehouse, the atmosphere was still tense and solemn.
Xia Ye stood there, staring at the gangsters' every move.
He was waiting for an opportunity, waiting for a chance to rescue Qiqi in one fell swoop.
He knew that he could not panic and must remain calm and collected. Only in this way could he win the final victory in this life and death battle.
"Can we let him go now?" Xia Ye tried to make her voice sound calm and firm.
However, the gangsters had no intention of letting Qiqi go.
They looked at Xia Ye, with even more ferocious smiles on their faces.
After receiving a call and learning that the cash had been taken away, one of the gangsters suddenly opened his eyes with murderous intent! He suddenly raised the dagger in his hand, ready to cut Qiqi's throat.
