Only 20 minutes remained before the engagement banquet was set to begin, and Seline was nowhere to be found.

Marianne was so anxious that tears started streaming down her face. She explained, “We were just chatting in the lounge a moment ago. Seline said she wanted to go out and play for a bit. I let her go, but I can’t find her at all!”

Sophia tried to comfort her. “Don’t worry. Everyone here today is a guest invited to attend the engagement ceremony. Seline won’t be in any danger.

“She might have just wandered outside the villa. The estate is vast, so it’s normal that she can’t be found right away. We can check the surveillance camera first.”

Tessa suggested, “My father has already gone to check the surveillance. Let’s split up and look for her. We should send out more people to search.”

Just then, a sudden commotion erupted in the crowd ahead.

They turned to look and instantly went pale with fright.

The electronic screen originally intended to play a short film for the engagement ceremony was instead playing a video of the kidnapped Seline, crying and screaming in fear.

“Dad, Mom, Tessa, where are you? I want my mom! Let me go! Mom, I’ve been taken by bad guys. Please come and save me!”

On the screen, Seline was tied to a chair, crying and struggling desperately.

Marianne’s legs gave out, and she nearly fainted. Luckily, Tessa supported her. “Ms. Connors…”

“Tessa, what are we going to do about Seline? Think of something…” Marianne sobbed so uncontrollably that she could barely form sentences. “How could this happen? How could Seline be kidnapped? I can’t…”

Her cries turned into wails of despair. “If something happens to Seline, I don’t want to live anymore!”

“How could this happen? Weren’t all the attendees here today guests from our two families? How could someone kidnap Seline?” Sophia was bewildered.

At that moment, a distorted, eerie voice came from the hall’s broadcast system.

“Tessa, if you want your sister to live, come to the rooftop.”

Tessa froze momentarily. After a moment, she immediately turned and dashed toward the elevator.

Stephen chased after her and grabbed her arm. “Tessa, don’t go. It’s a trap!”

Tessa struggled against his grip. “I have to go. They’re here for me. If I don’t go, Seline will be in danger.”

“Call the cops first.” Stephen was calm and steady as a rock.

“You can call the cops but don’t stop me. Every second I’m late puts Seline in more danger. I can’t gamble with her life!” Tessa was so distraught that she was on the verge of tears. “Seline was kidnapped because of me. I can’t just stand by and watch her get hurt.”

Stephen’s tone grew firmer as he tightened his grip. “So you think it’s okay to gamble with your life?”

Just then, a man came running over in a hurry. “Mr. Jacobson, we’ve located Seline. She is on the rooftop.” Stephen ordered coldly, “Call the cops.”

The man replied, “We have already done so. The cops are on their way.”

Stephen maintained his composure, his mind racing. “Tessa, they’re holding Seline hostage to lure you out. You can’t fall into their trap. Kwill immediately mobilize all the

bodyguards in the estate to head to the rooftop. You need to stay calm, okay?”

Tessa’s hands were trembling in fear. “I….. ” Suddenly, screams erupted in the hall.

Tessa snapped her head up to look.

On the screen, a knife was pressed against Seline’s neck.

A masked figure held the knife to her neck. “Tessa, I’ll give you five

sister will die for you!” Coneel

minutes. If you refuse to come, your

As the words finished, Stephen felt his hand come up empty.

Tessa had taken advantage of his distraction, broke free from his grip, and bolted.