A man with a protruding potbelly, dressed in a crisp white shirt and black trousers, climbed into his car. His movements were hurried, nervous. The moment he placed his hands on the steering wheel and prepared to drive off, his phone rang.
An unknown number.
His heart skipped, but he answered anyway.
"And where are you right now?" a calm voice came through the phone the instant the call connected. The man didn't even have time to speak before the voice continued smoothly. "I believe you value the lives of your pregnant wife and your daughter… am I right?"
The blood drained from the man's face.
"W–What?" he stammered. "How did you find my wife and daughter?!"
Tears immediately welled in his eyes, spilling down his cheeks as his entire body began to tremble. Sweat soaked into the collar of his shirt.
"Please," he begged, his voice cracking. "Spare them. They know nothing about what's happening. I'll do anything—anything at all—just please release them."
