Mission: From Divorcee to Millionaire

The voice on the line was downright intimidating as it asked if she was Selena.

Selena was sure she'd never met this person before and figured it was probably some scam. She was about to hang up when the voice came through again with another question.

"Are you Brook's niece, the one who married into money and became a lady of leisure? Why so quiet? Cat got your tongue?"

Her uncle!

Selena froze, swallowing hard, before steadying her voice to ask, "Who are you?"

"Oh, found your voice, have you?"

The sarcasm dripping from his words made his intentions clear.

"Just so you know, your dear Uncle Brook has racked up a massive debt at my casino and he's been dodging me. Money doesn't grow on trees, you know. I've got mouths to feed, so I had no choice but to have him over for a little 'chat." A casino?

Her uncle gambled?

When did that happen?

The last time she saw him, he was all about managing his business. How on earth did he end up at a casino?

Pushing down her confusion and panic, Selena tried to stay calm and collected.

"I don't know who you are, and I can't just take your word for it. There are scammers all over the place these days trying to get our personal info."

Her meaning was clear: Do you really think I'm gullible enough to just believe you?

"Oh."

The man chuckled, "No wonder you're running Bennett Corporation. You're sharp and got guts."

"Jimmy found that out the hard way, didn't he?"

Any other affluent woman would be in a panic by now.

The more he talked, the more Selena's heart sank, realizing her uncle's situation might actually be real.

Biting her lip, she got straight to the point, "You say my uncle's with you. Show me proof."

She needed to know if her uncle was really in trouble.

The man seemed to respect her enough not to play games. "Alright, you want proof? I'll give it to you."

And just like that, the call ended.

Selena frowned, ready to call back, when her phone rang again. This time, it was a video call from Brook's number.

Her fingers trembled slightly as she answered.

A tough-looking face filled the screen. The man greeted her and introduced himself.

"Big Joe, or just Joe, your pick."

Selena remained stone-faced, "Where's my uncle?"

""Hold your horses, here he is."

Big Joe turned the camera to show a dimly lit basement, where only a shabby chandelier was lit. Under its dull light, Brook was bound tightly to a chair, a gag in his mouth.

His face was bruised, and the exposed parts of his arms and legs showed signs of a beating.

He widened his eyes at the camera, fear etched in them, silently begging Selena for help.

Selena's heart ached, her voice shaking, "What... what do you want?"

Big Joe: "Mrs. Bennett, you're stunning, and I hate to trouble you, but debts need to be paid, right?"

"Alright." Selena knew she couldn't afford to stall, "How much?"

"I like a woman who gets to the point!"

Big Joe clapped, "Your uncle lost three hundred million here, but he's been playing dead. Tracking him down wasn't easy, so I've got fo factor that in, right? Let's calDit an even billion!"

Selena let out a disbelieving laugh, "A billion? Why not just rob a bank?"

Big Joe grinned, "Mrs. Bennett, isn't it obvious? This is a stick-up. So, you're not going to pay? He did raise you, didn't he? Isn't there some

saying about returning a favor tenfold?"