A Replacement Bride

Katherine pursed her lips and did not respond immediately.
However, Joaquin waited for a moment, but when he heard nothing but her shallow breathing, the curve of his lips gradually
faded. He immediately sensed that something was amiss as if he had telepathy. Soon, his face became serious as he asked,
"What's wrong, Kathy? Did something happen?"
Her nerves had been stretched taut all day, and the sound of his voice made her feel like a string had snapped, with exhaustion
washing over her. She was not a quitter, and nothing could stand in her way. However, she felt exhausted in that man's presence
for the first time. She wanted to rely on him and wanted him to be by her side. With these thoughts in mind, she bit her lip lightly
and finally spoke up in response to his gentle and patient urging. "Joaquin, can you come to Kyoland?"
Even though her voice sounded the same as usual over the phone and the vast distance between them, he could hear a note of
vulnerability in her words. "Okay," he responded without hesitation, giving her a sense of reassurance. "I'll pack up and head
over there now." Then, he switched to hands-free mode and began packing while talking to her. "Kathy, what happened? Can
you tell me in advance?"
Katherine fell silent momentarily before telling him, "Emmanuel sent someone to kidnap Noah."
Joaquin's movements abruptly halted when he heard that, his face turning as dark as iron. "Noah got kidnapped? What exactly
happened?"
She rubbed her forehead and briefly explained, "Noah should be in the abandoned building in the northern suburbs of Kyoland.
I'm going to go there."
He gritted his teeth upon hearing that. His expression was a mix of anger and worry. "You're going now? Maybe it's better to wait
for me to get to Kyoland, and we can go together. Since Emmanuel wants to use Noah to threaten you, he won't dare to do
anything to her."
Nonetheless, she refused and said, "No, I'm still not at ease. Although Emmanuel probably won't be stupid enough to harm
Noah, the danger increases every minute she's in someone else's hands. I can't take that risk."
"Still, you're going alone—"
"Don't worry, Carmine will send people to follow me. I'm not foolish enough to go to my death alone. Besides, I have you. You
don't need to come to Silver Gardens. Just head straight to the abandoned building in the northern suburbs. I'll wait for you
there."

Joaquin clenched his hand into a fist at his side, gritting his teeth in silence. After she said that, he understood her worries and
could only compromise. "Okay then, but please be careful. I'll be there soon."
"Okay." After hanging up the phone, Katherine didn't waste any time. She checked the map and immediately turned and left.
On the other hand, Carmine was still worried, so she followed Katherine out and watched her get into the car. "Miss, please take
care of yourself. I'll bring people to catch up with you immediately!"
"Yeah. Don't worry." Following that, Katherine rolled up the car window. Then, she started the engine, stepped on the gas pedal,
and the car shot out like an arrow.
...
On the other side, in Hovington, John was surprised when he heard the news. "He really left the city?"
The assistant nodded. "Yes, he just left the city. He should be heading to Kyoland."
John squinted his eyes upon hearing that, deep in thought. Huh! It looks like Jayden has done something in Kyoland. Oh! Isn't
Katherine in Kyoland? Heh! I think I understand what is happening.
As for Jayden's advice, it had long been ignored by him. In addition, Joaquin's departure from Hovington presented a fantastic
opportunity for John. He needed to use his son's absence to reclaim control of the Levisay Group!
...
After about an hour, Katherine finally arrived at the abandoned building in the northern suburbs of Kyoland. She carefully
surveyed the surroundings and found the area desolate and deserted. There wasn't a single person or car in sight. So, she
composed herself and focused on the abandoned building before her. A few burly men guarded the entrance, and a faint yellow
light could be seen through the cement frame without windows.
Noah is likely inside. Thinking of this, she felt a cold chill run down her spine, but she remained calm and strode confidently
toward the building.
When the guards saw her approaching, they immediately stepped forward to stop her. Katherine sneered, her eyes devoid of
warmth as she glared at them. "What? Your master didn't tell you I was coming? Have you lost your sight? Don't you recognize
me already?" She remembered these men who had invaded Silver Gardens twice before.

The guards’ faces turned sour at her scolding. One of them said impatiently, "What do you think this place is? You can't just
come in here whenever you want."
"Oh?" She laughed as if she had heard a funny joke. "Silver Gardens isn't a place where you can just go in, but you still barged
in without saying a word. What's the matter? Double standards now?" With a cold expression, Katherine raised her hand and
slapped the guard before her. He was caught off guard and was knocked out on the spot after the back of his neck went numb.
The other guards were stunned for a moment but quickly recovered. Then, they encircled her in a tight circle. However, she
showed no fear and looked coldly at them. "What? You make me come and then not let me in? What does your master want?
Does he want to toy with me? I don't have that kind of patience!"
At that moment, a voice came from inside the building. "Let her in."
The guards reluctantly stepped aside, allowing Katherine to walk in calmly. As expected, she saw Emmanuel inside, but her eyes
quickly scanned the surroundings. Aside from the cement walls, there was nothing else. The floor was dusty, with abandoned
building materials piled up in the corners. The only light source was a single bulb hanging from the ceiling covered in dust, which
cast a dim yellow glow.
She noticed a set of cement stairs in the northwest corner leading to a platform on the second floor, without any visible
obstruction. Her gaze followed the stairs up to the platform, which had no cover, and she saw Noah bound hand and foot, looking
helpless and pleading for help with her eyes. Her mouth was covered with black tape, and her eyes were watery, but she held
back her tears. Two burly men stood guard on either side of her, watching the captive girl closely.