Chapter 10 The Snake Pit
Alaric, you still here? You gotta meet Hayes in a few. Kian nudged Alaric, who was still staring at the Russell Villa gate.
was off with Cecilia’s expression. Kian tried to calm him down,
Alaric scowled. “No rush. If that loser can’t deliver, I’ll cut out his tongue. Besides, something w *Relax, man. Their house lights are all on. Let’s not get mixed up in their drama.
With that, he casually started the car and drove off.
Meanwhile, Julian, sitting in the car, felt his phone buzz. He glanced at the screen, and his heart skipped a beat. It was a distress message from Cecilia, with a location pin attached.
Julian’s eyes widened as he read the message. Turn around! Head home, now!
The driver, startled by Julian’s urgency, glanced back in confusion. Tamsin, too, looked puzzled, never having seen Julian this worked up before.
The driver, thinking Julian was complaining about the speed, stammered, “Mr. Russell, once the light turns green, we’ll be at the school,”
“I said, head home now, back to the Russell Villa.” Julian’s voice was icy, and the driver wisely shut up and changed the route.
Tamsin, worried, tugged at Julian’s sleeve. He
le took a deep bo
a deep breath, about to explain, when his phone buzzed again.
This time, it was a five–second video of Cecilia tied up, with a man’s voice demanding, “Bring eighty billion dollars, or your wife is dead!” The voice was fierce and oddly familiar to Julian.
“Is that… Cecilia?” Tamsin gasped, eyes wide. “How could this happen? Who did this?”
Julian gritted his teeth, staying silent.
Around midnight, Kian parked by an abandoned building.
h hell.
As soon as Alaric and Kian stepped out, Hayes Mortimer came running over, panting and sweating, smelling like he’d been through
Kian, sensitive to smells, covered his nose. “Dude, where the hell have you been? You reek.”
Hayes scratched his head, smiling awkwardly. “Had a little mishap, but it’s all good now.”
was wearing white gloves, which was unusual for him.
Alaric noticed Hayes w
“Got the money? Kian asked, stepping back a bit.
Hayes quickly explained, “Mr. Coleman, Mr. Percy, here’s the deal, I could’ve gotten the stuff, but some chick took it! So I tied her up, and then…
Kian, annoyed, waved his hand. “Cut to the chase!”
“Yeah, get to the point, Alaric said coldly, frowning.
Hayes, trembling, quickly said, “Don’t worry, Mr. Coleman, Mr. Percy. The money’s coming. I just told Julian to bring eighty billion dollars to trade for his wife! It’s a sweet deal!”
Hayes grinned, feeling proud. He could’ve gotten the wi
wine for a few million, but Cecilia took it, jacking up the price.
“Notified who?” Alarie’s eyes narrowed. He yanked off Hayes gloves.
“Tulian,” Hayes st
stammered, too scared to move.
The white gloves had a few strands of golden hair on them–Cecilia’s hair. Alaric clenched his fist and grabbed Hayes by the halt, yanking hard. Hayes felt like his head was about to be ripped off and fell to his knees.
‘Where is she? Alaric demanded, his voice like a demon’s.
Hayes quickly said, “In the snake pit underground to the south.”
“What? You’re a real monster. Throwing a woman in there.” Klan’s eyes widened in shock. Just thinking about those cold, slimy snakes made him shiver.
der 10 The Snake Pit.
a eyes were cold with anger. “Tell them to bring all the serum and snake repellent they have. I’ll deal with you later. He let go of Hayes and got back in the car with Kian. Now, he wanted more than just to cut out Hayes’s tongue; he wanted to tear him to pieces and feed him to the snakes. Kian floured the gas pedal and quickly arrived at the place Hayes mentioned.
The area was full of abandoned factories, and apart from the eerie sound of the wind, it was deathly silent.
Alaric kicked Hayes out of the car. “Lead the way.”
Just then, a van approached, and the people inside threw something out the window before quickly turning around and leaving-
Seeing this. Hayes cursed inwardly. Trouble was coming, and these cowardly guys didn’t care about his
“There’s quite a lot of stuff in here, Kian rummaged through the bag, took out the snake repellent and snake–catching pole, and handed them to Alaric.
Just then, a silver Rolls–Royce approached.
“Mr. Russell, this place is scary.” Tamsin said weakly from inside the car.
“Don’t be afraid. Just stay in the car, Julian reassured her, then turned to the driver. “Keep an eye on her. Julian got out of the car and saw the disheveled Hayes cowering next to Alaric. He then remembered the voice’s owner.
Hayes was Alaric’s subordinate, and now they were here together. Recently, Alaric had been frequently approaching Cecilia, and he was with her before Julian left for the banquet. Thinking of this, Julian’s expression instantly darkened. ‘Did you kidnap Cecilia?”
“Are you kidding me?” Kian had long been annoyed with Julian. “Go be with your lover. Your wife is about to be eaten alive by snakes, and you’re accusing us. If you’re not going to save her, we will!“
“Mr. Percy, I’m really sorry! I was being presumptuous. I’ll lead the way.” Sensing the tense atmosphere, Hayes wisely picked up the snake repellent and sprayed it on himself before heading towards an inconspicuous tunnel entrance.
Years of business experience told Julian they weren’t acting. Alaric wasn’t involved this time.
He frowned and followed them.
The tunnel entrance was dark and damp, with moss and vines crawling up the walls. The air was filled with a putrid smell, making Kian almost suffocate
Alaric glanced at him. “Don’t push yourself,”
“I’m fine,” Kian shook his head, indicating he could still bear it.
Not far away, a low hissing sound of snakes echoed in their ears.
The ground was littered with shed snake skins and bones, and the feeling of stepping on them sent chills down the
“It should be here,” Hayes said cautiously.
Snakes didn’t usually attack humans, but they’d sprayed the room with pheromones to agitate them…..
their spines.
Hayes stood in front of a dilapidated iron door and whispered, “These are highly venomous pit vipers. It’s best not to go through the main entrance. You can see inside from here.”
These protective doors and the steel plates on the room’s ceiling were all man–made, designed for situations like this. Julian couldn’t stand it anymore. He took Hayes’s flashlight and nervously looked inside.
Hundreds of snakes swarmed on the dark ground, their shadows filling the entire space, their scales glistening in the dim light.
The snakes were climbing the walls, trying to attack the woman banging in the center of the room.
Julian aimed the light at the woman, and the sequins on the hem of the sea–blue mermaid dress sparkled beautifully. In this filthy, dark place, she was like the only pure star. It was Cecilia! A wave of nausea rose from Julian’s stomach, and he could barely contain his anger as he shouted, “How dare you lock her
in bere!”
pil notice
Im bloodshot eyes glared at the trembling Hayes, but he didn’t notice his loud voice stalled the snakes in the cave.
