A Replacement Bride

When the words "half your life" entered Emmanuel's ears, his face fell, and he looked unhappy. He instantly lost his patience in
mocking Katherine and snorted, "Miss Cornell, you're indeed as eloquent as before. It seems your missing daughter hasn't made
you lose your cool, but don't you want to know where your obedient daughter is right now?"
On the other hand, she had long guessed that his call had something to do with Noah, so she said nothing and waited for him to
continue.
Like what she had expected, Emmanuel felt he had somewhat lost his dominant position in this conversation when she didn't ask
the question he wanted to hear. That made him feel displeased, but when he thought of Jayden's orders, he could only grit his
teeth reluctantly and speak up. You must have been worried sick and had no intention of talking to anyone. Seeing that you and
Corey are friends, it wouldn't be appropriate for me, as an elder, to stand by and do nothing. I called you today to point you in the
right direction."
"The right direction?" Katherine sneered. "Is it the right direction, or are you steering me into another trap?"
After swirling his cup, he took a casual sip of his tea. "My, how could you say such a thing? Why would I steer you into a trap?
Don't get me wrong. I did this out of the kindness in my heart. Your daughter was kidnapped, so I sent my men to help you look
for her. After all, the Gray Family has more power than you do in Kyoland, and we're more familiar with the environment. My men
just got word from a reliable source, so I called you immediately. As for whether it's true or not, I don't know, but it is still a clue,
and you can decide whether you want to believe it. So, how about it, Miss Cornell? Are you interested?"
Katherine's eyes were icy as she demanded, "What's with all the nonsense? If you want to tell me, say it. Otherwise, shut up."
Hearing how rude she was, Emmanuel was furious. He was the president of Gray Corporation, and no one dared to speak to him
in such a disrespectful way, and no junior would dare to go against him. However, she was an exception! So, to avoid causing
unnecessary problems, he suppressed his emotions and pretended he wasn't offended by her words. "Miss Cornell, don't be so
anxious. I was about to tell you." Afterward, he changed the subject, and his voice sounded more normal. "Things went like this.
My men heard that the people who took your daughter drove to the northern suburbs of Kyoland. There's an old and dilapidated
abandoned building, and your daughter has been left there. If you believe me, you're welcome to search there. That wouldn't
take too much of your time, right?"
An abandoned building in the northern suburbs... Katherine's clear eyes were now as dark as coal. Raising her eyes slightly, she
pursed her lips. Then, she said nothing and hung up.

Emmanuel, on the other hand, Emmanuel was still grinning, waiting for her response. Nonetheless, he only heard the hung-up
tone, and his expression instantly fell. Then, he threw his phone onto the coffee table out of anger. The force was so strong that
the phone slid across the surface and fell from the table's edge before landing on the floor.
Inside the office, it was so quiet that the only sound inside the room was his breathing. He sat there with a gloomy expression,
and his eyes were filled with hostility like a vengeful ghost. I'm eager to see how long that b*tch Katherine can last. Once Gray
Corporation is revived, I'll see who dares to command me! Jayden Hall, I'll find a way to bring you down and show you who has
power over others!
...
Meanwhile, Carmine saw Katherine get off the call at Silver Gardens and immediately asked, "Miss, why did Emmanuel call
you?"
With a sneer, Katherine replied, "What else? Of course, it's to lure me into a trap."
However, Carmine was puzzled after hearing that. "Lure you into a trap? What did he say?"
Seeing that, Katherine didn't hide the details and told her, "An abandoned building in the northern suburbs of Kyoland."
The chopped-up sentence confused Carmine briefly, but she soon understood what it meant. "You mean they brought Miss Noah
to that place?"
"Yes. That should be where Noah is." Katherine nodded, and her beautiful eyes narrowed while she added, "Taking her away
isn't their primary goal. It's because they can't do anything to me for now. They would first kidnap her and use her as leverage
against me."
Though Carmine understood that point, she was still worried. "Miss, do you believe what Emmanuel said is true? Maybe Miss
Noah isn't there, but he still said it because he wants to lure you there?"
When Katherine heard that, she smiled slightly, but her smile didn't reach her eyes. "Whether or not it's true, I have no choice but
to go. Since he gave me this clue, it wouldn't be fake. It depends on whether I would dare to head over."
"They would have set up an ambush there. If Miss Noah isn't there, and you fall into their trap, wouldn't that—"
"That won't happen." Katherine objected to the idea. "If Emmanuel is smart, he wouldn't do that."

Carmine was even more puzzled by her statements. "Why are you so sure about that?"
"If I went there and didn't see Noah, I wouldn't have anything holding me back from fighting my way out. Emmanuel knows what
I'm capable of, and he has previously faced the Vermillion Alliance. Therefore, he wouldn't dare to let me fight my way out.
Hence, he must have Noah with him. That is because only by kidnapping her would he have leverage over me and make me
wary of him."
After listening to Katherine's explanation, Carmine finally understood. "Then, when are we leaving?"
Katherine corrected her and replied, "It's not 'we' but 'me'."
Hearing that, Carmine was stunned for a moment and then became nervous. "Miss, are you going to go there alone? How can
you go there alone when they have so many people on their side? That's like treading through dangerous grounds."
While casting Carmine a reassuring glance, Katherine explained, "Don't worry. Emmanuel would make sure that I head over
alone. That's unavoidable, so I must appear there alone."
"Still—"
"I am going there alone, but I didn't say you can't bring your men to come after me."
At that moment, Carmine understood what Katherine meant. "Miss, rest assured that I will lead the others from the Vermillion
Alliance to protect you!"
A light flashed across Katherine's eyes as she smiled mockingly. "Emmanuel wouldn't have guessed there would still be a head-
on battle later."
During their conversation, Joaquin called. "I'm done dealing with the Levisay Family's matter. How's your end? Is Corey alright?
When are you coming back? I'll go fetch you." His tone was gentle, indicating that he was in a good mood.