Chapter 132
#132 “Even if it’s the Last Thing I Do in this World.”
Alexander had reached the designated meeting ce, the weight of the suitcase containing the ransom
money making his palms sweaty. Gripping it so tightly that his knuckles turned white, determination
etched across his face, he was resolved to leave with Sophia unharmed.
The sight of a dpidated building in the middle of the desert didn’t surprise him; it fit the cliché of an
abandoned warehouse. A wry smile yed on Alexander’s lips as he approached the ominous
structure with decisive steps.
Two guards stationed at the entrance greeted him, weapons raised in suspicion. Alexander, fully aware
of the tense situation, raised his hands in surrender, a gesture signaling he posed no threat.
“Who are you?” the first guard barked.
“I’m Sandro’s man. I’vee to pay what’s necessary to free Sophia,” Alexander dered.
“Stand still,” the guardsmanded in unison, their weapons still trained on him. A radio call was
made to their boss, informing him of Sandro’s representative.
“Who is there? Where’s Sandro Vitali?” their boss roared through the radio.
“Sandro sent me. I have what you need, “Alexander responded, shaking the briefcase for emphasis.
An excruciatingly long minute passed before Dante, the ominous figure in charge, emerged from the
entrance, his gun ominously raised.
“Why didn’t Vitalie and do his dirty work himself?” Dante shouted. Alexander, maintaining his
“Drop the suitcase and take a few steps back,” Dante ordered, his tone leaving no room for negotiation.
Alexanderplied, carefully cing the suitcase on the ground and taking measured steps backward.
The impact caused the briefcase to spring open, revealing the stacks of cash inside. Dante’s face lit up
with a sinister smile upon seeing the money.
“Count them,” Dantemanded, closing the distance between them with a menacing stride. The
tension in the air thickened as Alexander braced himself for the next critical moments.
The stale air hung heavy in the abandoned warehouse as the gang scrutinized the ransom money.
They ushered Alexander in as they counted the money. There was nothing in the room but a table and
amp that barely illuminated the room.
While the men were counting Dante kept his gun pointed at Alexander.
“Boss, they’re two million less,” announces one of the gang members. Dante’s expectations weren’t
met, and frustration etched deep lines on his face.
“This ain’t enough! Sandro’s ying games!” Dante snarled, the disappointment palpable in his voice.
Alexander, standing at a distance, held his breath, acutely aware that the situation was teetering on the
edge. He took a step forward, his eyes locked on Dante.
“Listen, we can sort this out. How about you confirm Sophia’s safety first? I’ll transfer the remaining
amount directly to your ount once I know she’s okay,” Alexander proposed, trying to inject reason
into the escting chaos.
The gang members exchanged dubious nces, suspicion festering like a poisonous seed. They
huddled in a tense discussion, their low murmurs echoing in the cavernous room.
“You’re trying to pull a fast one on us, aren’t you?” used one of the gang members, eyeing
Alexander with distrust.
“No, I swear. I just want to ensure Sophia’s safety. I’m not here to mess around,” Alexander pleaded,
frustration bubbling beneath his controlled exterior.
Dante, seemingly unswayed, shot a piercing look at Alexander. “Transfer them to our ount? What
do you think I am, an idiot? The money for such transactions is cash only. How do you think such a
transaction would look in the eyes of the IRS? You might be a spy sent by Sandro or the damn police.”
Alexander, now facing an escting crisis, attempted to defuse the mounting suspicion. “I’m not a spy!
I’m just trying to get Sophia back. We can figure out the moneyter.”
Despite his earnest exnations, doubt lingered in the gang’s eyes. In a swift and unexpected move,
they pounced on Alexander, overpowering him. Ropes materialized from nowhere, and soon,
Alexander found himself bound, his movements restricted.
“I don’t like snitches at all. And if you want to see Sophia so much, we will take you to her especially,”
Dante dered, a cruel smirk ying on his lips.
The cold, hard ground met Alexander as he was unceremoniously forced to sit, his predicament
echoing the grim reality of the situation.
*
In the dimly lit room, Sophia strained to hear themotion outside, her worry escting with every
distant sound. Her attempts to maintain calmness seemed futile as uncertainty gnawed at her.
Suddenly, the door swung open, and a figure was pushed into the room. Sophia squinted in the dim
light, disbelief washing over her as the familiar face became clear. It was Alexander. A whirlwind of
emotions engulfed her – surprise, confusion, and a flood of questions bubbling within her.
“Alexander?” Sophia eximed, her voice a mix of shock and curiosity.”
What… How did you… Are you okay?”
Her eyes searched his face for answers, a myriad of thoughts racing through her mind. The
unexpected sight of him in this dire situation left her both bewildered and worried.
As Alexander entered the room, his emotions were a tangled mess. Here was the person who had
upied his thoughts day and night, now right in front of him. The urge to embrace her, to provide
some semnce offort, shed with the reality of his bound hands. He dreaded the possibility of
causing her difort, so he kept his distance for now.
Sophia’s eyes flickered with surprise, and Alexander could sense the flood of questions behind those
searching eyes.
“I’m fine, how are you? Did they hurt you?” Alexander bombarded her with questions in turn.
“No,” Sophia whispered, still stunned that he was here.
Sophia’s gaze shifted from his eyes to the tightly bound hands behind his back. Concern etched across
her face as she took in his constrained state.
“What happened? How did you end up here?” she inquired.
Alexander sighed, frustration evident in his expression. “It’s a long story. I came to pay the ransom to
get you out safely. But they think I might be a spy or something, so here I am.”
Sophia’s eyes widened. “So, they tied you up? Alexander, you shouldn’t have done this.”
“I couldn’t leave you here alone, Sophia. I had to make sure you’re okay, “he exined, a determined
glint in his eyes. “I promised you that I’d always help you, and I intend to keep that promise.”
“How did you even know what was going on?” Sophia continued her questioning, her eyes searching
Alexander’s face for answers.
Alexander, still nervously examining every part of her, was frantically trying to ascertain if she was hurt.
To his relief, she appeared physically unharmed.
“Evelyn called me, exined that you were kidnapped, and I came right away. I spoke with Sandro and
found out that they had run-ins with Dante in the past. I brought some of the money, but I insisted on
seeing you before I gave the rest. They were obviously not thrilled with my offer,” Alexander exined,
attempting to inject a touch of humor, though the situation was undeniably dire.
This is property ? N?velDrama.Org.
“I’m so d you’re okay, Sophia… When I heard you were kidnapped…” His voice trailed off, emotion
evident in his eyes.
Sophia looked at him, struggling to absorb all the information. “They didn’t do anything to me,
Alexander. I’m fine.”
Alexander sighed with relief, sitting on the floor beside her. They both fell silent, contemting their
next moves. Alexander nervously tapped his foot, stealing nces at Sophia.
He marveled at her calm expression, realizing that she was always strong even in the most critical
situations.
“I’m going to get you out of here, Sophia, even if it’s thest thing I do in this world,” Alexander
dered.