Chapter 2 Being Kidnapped

The memory went back to seven years ago.

When James finally woke up, he found himself tied to one of the pillars of a dark house. He tried to struggle, but it was to no avail.

"Caleb, check if the boy's awake or not." James heard a low voice from outside of the cottage. Without another word, he quickly shut his eyes. Since he didn't know who the other party was, it was better that he observed the situation first.

The door creaked open and a man stepped in. James didn't move, listening to the sounds around him.

"He's still asleep. You used too much drugs this time, Rhys," Caleb said, shoving James roughly. When James didn't react, Caleb sighed in frustration.

"Well, we brought him here not for sleeping," another man snarled back.

All of a sudden, Rhys poured a bucket of freezing water onto James's head.

He immediately opened his eyes to glare at them. Although James was just a young boy, he had a demeanor of a king. Even as he was tied and drenched with water, his eyes were still as cold as the winter seas. The two men couldn't help but shiver at the sight of his gaze.

"So you finally wake up?" Rhys sneered, clapping his hands. He'd like to believe that they'd succeed this time. After all, they had prepared for every scenario in the book.

James didn't respond. Instead, his mind started to work. He tried to piece together the backgrounds and the intentions of the men in front of him, as well as the environment he was placed in to see if there was anything that could help him in his escape.

"I've heard plenty of things about the first born son of the Ling Group. Now, it seems, he's with us. Isn't this such a great day?" Rhys's eyes glinted as he bent closer. "I was told you're smart, so how about let's play a game? If you agree, I'll let you leave safe and sound, but if you get the wrong answer...well...Caleb, bring it here."

Caleb brought him a wooden stick, and Rhys waved it mockingly in the air. "But if you make one mistake, this will fall on your body. It's fair, right?"

The two men were standing against the light so James couldn't get a good look at their faces, but he wasn't afraid. "I don't care who gave you the orders, but I suggest you release me now." Although his voice was hoarse from dehydration, it was still as firm as diamonds.

Rhys gritted his teeth. "I don't think so. See, we brought you here for money. However, it's up to us whether we return you in perfectly good condition or in skin and bones."

James snorted. "If it's all about the money, then you should've bargained with me. Do you really think it's that hard for the Ling Group to find where I am now? Besides, since you didn't even hide yourselves, I don't think you're planning on keeping me alive."

Caleb raised his club and slammed it on James. "You'd better shut that trap of yours, asshole," he snarled. "But you surely got one thing right. We don't plan on leaving you alive anytime soon."

Caleb smashed his legs with all his strength. James tried his best not to respond but his forehead was already breaking down in cold sweat. His legs were already shaking from the pain.

Seeing that James was only glaring at them, Rhys couldn't help but panic. He needed to get a hold of this boy or else his plan would be destroyed.

"You think the Ling Group would find us that easily? Don't be a fool!" Rhys took the club and smashed it onto James's legs again.

James's body was already trembling in pain as it surged all over his body. However, he continued to grit his teeth. Although these men were doing their best to torture him, he wasn't planning on backing down. He glared at them like a furious tiger.

Seeing the expression on their victim's face, Rhys dropped the club. "You know what?" he snarled. "Let's do this later."

However, just as they closed the door behind them, their fear was already showing. "Well? What do we do now?" Caleb whispered. "You think we should..."

Rhys lit a cigarette and avoided his gaze. "I don't know yet, but what I do know, is that James must die." He knew the consequences of pissing off the Ling Group.

Caleb nodded. James was like a ticking time bomb. Although they were a pair of outlaws, they weren't planning on dying early.

"We'll leave tonight. We've broken James's legs, so he won't be able to escape. Let's wait for Jordan and discuss this by then." Rhys left.

Even though they kept their voices down, James could still hear them. Now, he was a hundred percent sure that they were plotting to kill him.

James squinted his eyes and gritted his teeth through the pain as he tried to remember what had happened before the kidnapping. 'I was planning to pick up my friend from the airport, when they drove down my path and drugged me. It was 10 in the morning back then, and it must be around five in the afternoon now.

In the past seven hours, they must've hid me in the mountain to prevent my family from finding me easily.

From the looks of it, the two aren't hooligans. So who is the mastermind? And why didn't they just kill me on the spot?'

he thought, groaning as he tried to move his legs. Fortunately, he loved to exercise, so his bones were very strong. Even if they tried to break them a while ago, his bones were fine.

James groaned when the tight ropes rubbed against his bleeding legs. He breathed steadily, trying his best to reduce the pain he was feeling.