Chapter 2

    Gavin's makeshift stall was wheeled next to a rather shabby dwelling, his living space. The house wasn't much to look at: old and cluttered but comfortable enough. Inside, his room was strewn with clothes, takeout boxes, and plastic bottles, occasionally enlivened by scampering mice.

    To any visitor, the disorder would be shocking; Gavin showed no intent to tidy up, living amidst the chaos!

    Nowadays, he devoted most of his time to the internet, searching for new objectives. Having dedicated his youth to missions in a magical world, he now found this reality painfully empty, having lost all motivation for living.

    Seeking purpose, but he had been searching for it for a year now. Gavin's days had blended into a monotonous routine of physical exercise and web surfing, if not for his soy milk venture. Yet, his mind wasn't at peace, haunted by the image of Eris, an inexplicable familiarity tugging at him.

    ‘Why do I feel such a connection with that child?’ The question lingered in his mind, the sensation of encountering a little angel. He really wished to be her guardian, a stark new ambition in his mundane existence.

    ‘That child will be abducted, I hope that uncle heeds my warning, as the lady seems out of reach.’ He sighed, comforted that the charm he provided would alert him if Eris faced danger.

    Despite his usual detachment, Gavin couldn't bear the thought of the child in peril. Gavin sat frozen in front of the computer for a long time. As time passed, dusk settled in, replacing the sky with darkness. Yet, the bright lights of the city continued to illuminate the starless sky. Today was as boring as ever, but tonight might be different, as it could be a night when special senses awaken!

    His garnet eyes widened in alarm and stood up startled.

    Eris was in distress!

    Closing his eyes, Gavin focused, tracing Eris's location through the charm he had given her. Her position shifted rapidly—she was undoubtedly being abducted.

    ‘So the uncle didn't believe me after all!’ Frustrated, Gavin decided to run out of the room and quickly drive his motorcycle onto the road.

    ‘You dare to harm the child I am protecting? You definitely won't die in peace.’

    Elsewhere:

    "How are the injuries?"

    "That old man is quite skilled. Too bad we outnumber him."

    "Boss, why didn't we take that beautiful lady along with us?"

    "Ha, just by looking at you, I know what's on your mind. Once we deliver this kid and get our payment, you can spend your share however you please."

    "But boss, how can you compare? Getting to be with a noble young lady is nothing like being with a prostitute, ha ha ha!"

    "Shut it, you brat," the elder chided, though his smile showed he wasn't truly offended.

    "We've been waiting for months. Finally, we have the chance to act," the deputy leader spoke.

    "Good! I'm tired of these boring jobs. It's about time for a change."

    "Kidnapping one child for a hundred million... I wonder what the client is thinking."

    "Stop complaining. Money is all that matters."

    "Once I get my cut, I'm going to enjoy the nightlife."

    "I'll spend mine on booze."

    "All you think about is drinking."

    "You, a drunkard, dare to say that?"

    “Ha ha ha ha ha”

    Laughter filled the air, heightening the fear of the little girl surrounded by them. She cried silently in the pitch dark, surrounded by evil men. Unaware of her fate, her fear grew with each passing moment. This wasn't the first or even the second time she felt endangered.

    'Mommy, help me. Somebody, please help me,' Eris prayed internally, trembling with overwhelming dread, her stress causing her body to convulse.

    "Hey, boss, the kid's having a twitch over here!"

    "Let her go, just don't kill her. The client only asked for her delivery."

    "This girl isn't bad-looking. I can't even imagine how stunning her mother must be, huhu."

    "Disgusting, you even think that way about a child. You're beyond redemption."

    "It's not about the kid! I'm just curious about how attractive her mother must be."

    "Enough talking, get the child out of the car."

    "Alright, boss," The mysterious men got out of the car. They prepared to remove Eris from the vehicle, but the little girl resisted.

    "Let go! Don't touch me, you evil people!"

    "Ha ha, such a small thing and already knows such words. Really makes you want to spank her, doesn't it, boss? Can I give her a spanking?"

    “You can do whatever, just don’t let her die. But if you have any conscience, you shouldn’t harm a three-year-old child.” Bully a three-year-old? We should have some morals, understand? Even though you and I are kidnappers.

    "Ugh."

    "Let go! I said let go!"

    "Shut up! I'll throw you down right now."

    "Uek..." Eris whimpered, her face crumpling into tears, her loud cries forcing one of the men to cover her mouth, escalating her distress.

    "What are you doing? Want her to suffocate?"

    "Her crying is just too annoying, boss."

    "We're alone here; let her cry out."

    "Understood, boss," the man relented, and Eris's wailing filled the space once more.

    "Huhu! Mommy! Mommy, help me, please!"

    "Damn, this kid is so annoying. If you don't stop crying, I'll cook you."

    "Uek..." Eris tried to stifle her tears as she was forcibly taken into an abandoned factory, where the cold and dust caused her to cough incessantly, further irritating the men.

    "Boss, when will someone come to pick up this kid?"

    "We have time, but... we should ask for more money."

    "Huh?" The accomplices looked at their leader in surprise.

    "We've been waiting for months. How can we settle for just a hundred million? Right, brothers?"

    "Right! Boss is correct."

    "A hundred million is not enough. We're crossing the Ice Witch herself."

    "I will follow you for life, boss."

    "Alright, better call the mother," the leader decided, taking Eris's phone to dial the number.

    Meanwhile, at the Coford mansion:

    The atmosphere at the table was tense, Holly's face pale as death, and a slightly older man beside her trembling, especially notable was the presence of a woman with snow-white hair in a leading position, her face icy yet stunning like a sculpture. The oppressive atmosphere unknowingly filled the entire mansion with a chilling aura.

    "Sister...I… it's my fault," Holly confessed with a sobbing voice.

    "Dammit! They must have been waiting for their chance for a long time. But why didn't I notice anything?!" The young man slammed the table furiously.

    "Calm down..."

    "How can I stay calm! That's my beloved niece."

    "And she is my daughter."

    Silence enveloped the room again before the phone rang. Eris's mother inhaled deeply, eyed the unknown number, and answered.

    "Hello."

    "I'll be brief. Send three hundred million within four hours, or the girl dies!"

    "..."

    "Well? Do you want the girl to die?"

    "Three hundred million isn't a small amount. We need more time."

    "I don't care! If I don't see the money within four hours, the girl dies! Don't call the police, don't get the military involved. If we find out, your daughter won't survive!"

    "I understand. Let me hear my daughter's voice."

    "Little girl, scream out loud for your mommy."

    "Mommy! Help me, please!"

    "You heard her, didn't you?"

    "I understand... Just give me some time. Don't do anything rash."

    "Alright. Oh... Ice Witch, you're not to come. Let your brother come instead. Understand? In three hours, I'll inform you of the location... Click."

    The line went dead, leaving everyone with a chill akin to ice gripping their hearts.

    Kariette, Eris's mother, unleashed her anger, freezing the mobile phone into inoperability. Kurt, her younger brother, stood up resolutely.

    "Sister, don't worry about me. I might enjoy my leisure and seem careless, but I'm not weak."

    "Contact the company. Gather as much money as possible."

    "Sis, the time is too tight. We can't gather such a large sum in three hours!" Holly stated despairingly.

    "Call Faker for a loan."

    "Alright... yes."

    "Don't tell our parents. We need to handle this ourselves. Eris must be safe," Kariette said, not just to calm her siblings but to reassure herself as well.

    She hoped nothing would happen.

    But she was bound to be disappointed because today was destined to be fraught with incidents.