Chapter 9 Kidnapped

David Jones, the manager of the stables and Benjamin's buddy, suggested, "Alright, I think we've had enough for today. How about we call it a day?"

Everyone started to gather their things and head out.

Benjamin's face was stormy.

He gently guided Emily into the car and then turned to look for Ophelia.

Spotting Ophelia chatting with William, he stormed over. "Did you come here just to stir the pot? Now everyone's upset. Does that make you happy?"

Before Ophelia could answer, Benjamin grabbed her wrist. "You just want a kid, right? Fine, I'll give you one right now!"

Ophelia yanked her hand away and slapped him hard across the face.

"Get a grip!"

He was about to leave with Emily, so why was he still messing with her?

William stepped in and shoved Benjamin back.

Benjamin glared at him and started ranting, "Is this why you keep opposing me? Because of William?"

Ophelia's forehead veins bulged, but before she could react, someone moved faster and punched Benjamin.

The two men started brawling.

Benjamin and William were throwing punches with everything they had.

They were both seething.

Stella was shocked.

Ophelia watched from the sidelines until Emily noticed and ran over frantically. "Stop! Stop fighting!"

With Emily there, Benjamin finally backed off.

He shielded Emily and turned to threaten, "I'll let you off for now!"

William shook his hand, "Let off who? Want to go again?"

Emily pulled Benjamin away.

William's moves were sharp and unexpected, and Benjamin didn't come out on top.

Some hits seemed harmless but caused a lot of pain inside.

Ophelia turned to William, "Are you okay?"

After all, William had stood up for her.

"If I'm not okay, what will you do?"

Ophelia looked up and met William's deep, unreadable eyes. She frowned slightly and subtly took a step back to create some distance.

She hadn't been drinking, but she felt a little tipsy. How else could she explain seeing a hint of affection in William's eyes?

"Strictly business."

William said nothing more.

He shouldn't have asked.

Seeing that he was fine, Ophelia and Stella said goodbye to him.

Something came up at work, and Stella had to go back to the office for overtime just as they were near Ophelia's apartment.

Ophelia glanced at the distance and waved to Stella, "You go ahead. It's not far from my place. I can walk."

"Call me when you get home."

"Okay."

She slowed her pace as she walked, unaware that four burly men were following her from the shadows.

"She's around 25, wearing sports clothes. Boss, is that her?"

The leading man looked over, scrutinized her, and confirmed the location on his phone. "Yeah, that's her!"

The four men approached Ophelia.

Ophelia was checking her phone, about to order takeout, when someone blocked her path.

"Miss, you've got guts coming out here!"

She was puzzled, "What?"

"You've pissed someone off, and you don't even know it? Ms. Johnson isn't someone you can mess with!"

The man had a scar on his face, looking downright intimidating.

Ophelia took a step back. "Emily sent you? Then you should know..."

Before she could finish, the man stepped closer.

There were people around, but Ophelia never expected them to be so bold!

Suddenly, adrenaline kicked in, and she broke free, sprinting away!

She pulled out her phone and called Benjamin.

But the ringing sound lasted less than a second before being abruptly cut off. She hung up and redialed.

No matter how many times she tried, the ringtone lasted a few seconds before being cut off!

She was about to call the police when the men caught up.

Her body reached its limit, and she blacked out during the chase!

Before she lost consciousness, she thought she saw a familiar figure running toward her, fighting for her.

The lights were blinding, and Ophelia's heart tightened as she kept her eyes closed.

She heard a familiar chuckle and opened her eyes to find William sitting next to her.

The surroundings had changed; it seemed like William's home.

"I thought you'd keep pretending to sleep. I found out Emily sent those men. She paid them thirty thousand dollars, specifically targeting you, and promised another fifty thousand once they succeeded." William looked at Ophelia. "So, what do you think? Want to cooperate? Have a child."

Ophelia's thoughts returned, and she stared at William.

Her gaze grew colder. His timing was too perfect. And those men were too foolish.

She stared at William and didn't answer his question, blurting out, "It was you."

"What do you mean?" His eyes shifted.

"The kidnappers. You sent them, didn't you?"

William's hand paused. "Why would I do that?"

Ophelia was silent for a moment.

Why?

To make her give up on Benjamin.

To make her willingly cooperate with him.

Even to have a child with her.

But why?

Why her?

The answer was obvious, but Ophelia didn't want to say more.

She turned her head away, "You want the White family. I can help you, but having a child is out of the question."

William breathed a sigh of relief.

As long as she didn't completely reject him and stay away, he still had a chance.

He would make her follow him willingly and wholeheartedly.

"Anything but the pregnancy, we can discuss. I'll give you three days."

"No need for three days. I agree, right now." He reached to hold Ophelia's hand when his phone rang.

The screen showed "Mia."

Ophelia turned her back to William and answered, "Mom, what's up?"

"Did you know Emily is pregnant?"

Ophelia's vision darkened.

Lily's words echoed in her mind.

This news reached the old house.

Was it Emily's plan or Benjamin's?

Or both of them together?

"They're at the old house now. Do you want to come and see?"