One night stand with my president(chapter 545)

 

Chapter 545: Trade Her to Save Her

It was a tense time, and Adeline knew that someone was always watching her, waiting for the perfect moment to strike. So, she kept her head down and stayed quietly in the Mendoza family.

Thankfully, she was good at keeping herself occupied, so she never got bored. Plus, Joyce was there to keep her company. The two of them often watched movies and played games together, making the days more enjoyable.

But trouble still came to her door.

Unable to get to her, those people turned their attention to her loved ones.

It was midday. She had just finished watching a movie with Joyce and was waiting for lunch.

As they stepped out of the screening room, a panicked servant came running toward them, her face a mask of worry.

"Miss Mendoza, Miss Monroe! Something's happened. Downstairs...

"What happened?" Adeline frowned. "Take it slow."

The servant had been running so fast that she could barely catch her breath, let alone speak clearly.

Adeline didn't wait any longer and immediately went downstairs with Joyce.

When they reached the living room, they were both shocked.

Two of the bodyguards lay on the couch, bloodied and unconscious.

The butler was pacing anxiously, repeatedly asking, "Where's the doctor? Has the doctor arrived yet?"

"We've called," came a voice from outside. 

"He'll be here soon."

"What's going on?" Adeline asked as she stepped into the room, her expression stern.

"Miss Mendoza," the butler said, as if relieved to see her. Isaac and Alberto weren't home at the moment. Joyce glanced at the two injured bodyguards and gasped. "Wait, aren't they the bodyguards who were with Gracie? I've seen them before."

Adeline's heart sank.

"Yes, they're the ones who protect Mrs.

Mendoza," the butler said, his face pale. 

"She left this morning, and just now, those two came back, covered in blood. As for Mrs. Mendoza... We didn't find her. I tried calling her, but her phone's: off."

Adeline felt a wave of dizziness wash over her.

But she quickly regained her composure.

"Get people out there right now," Adeline ordered. "Check all the surveillance footage from the nearby intersections."

"Yes, Miss."

At that moment, one of the bodyguards stirred and weakly spoke.

"Miss Hensley..." he croaked.

"I'm here," Adeline said, bending down and speaking gently. "It's alright. The doctor will be here soon. Hang in there."

"I'm sorry... we failed to protect Mrs. Mendoza," the bodyguard said, regret clear in his voice. "Those men came out of nowhere. Each of them is more skilled than we could handle. The others... they didn't make it. Only the two of us barely survived and made it back."

Adeline's hands clenched into fists.

"They took Mrs. Mendoza.." the bodyguard continued. "Before they left, they said... If you want her back safely, you'll have to... have to..."

The bodyguard paused, looking at Adeline with hesitation.

"You mean they want to trade me for her?"

Adeline asked, her voice cold.

The bodyguard fell silent, a tacit admission.

Adeline had known it would be something like this.

In a time like this, there was no other reason that Gracie was kidnapped.

It was all just to lure her out.

And the reason these two bodyguards were still alive was that their captors had

deliberately spared them.

They needed them to deliver the message.

Of course, they could have contacted her another way.

But sending two bloodied men back to her and making her witness it firsthand were far more effective in breaking her.

Adeline shut her eyes, Gracie's loving smile flashing in her mind.

Though they hadn't stayed together for long, Gracie had given her all the love of a mother.

The thought of Gracie now being in the hands of that group twisted her heart in agony.

If she could, she'd gladly take Gracie's place.

"Adeline, please don't..." Joyce said, her eyes red as she grabbed Adeline's arm.

Joyce was terrified that Adeline might sacrifice herself to save Gracie.

Though she, too, was worried for Gracie, Adeline was her childhood friend, the one person couldn't bear to lose.

She couldn't just watch Adeline walk down this dangerous path.

"Miss Mendoza, this is far too dangerous. You can't risk yourself," the butler urged, his voice tense. "We'll think of another way to rescue Mrs. Mendoza."

"I know. Don't worry," Adeline said, forcing herself to stay calm. "What they said might not be the full truth. Even if I go to them, it doesn't guarantee they'll release my mom."

At that point, both she and Gracie would fall into their hands.

But she couldn't just ignore her mother.

"First, call Dad and my brother," Adeline instructed.

"Yes, Miss."

Time was critical. The butler immediately called Isaac, while Adeline contacted Alberto.

Both of them said they would figure out a plan to save Gracie immediately.

Meanwhile, Adeline had people reach out to the police in Yewhaina.

That organization had always been a thorn in the police's side.

And now, with their connection to the Mendoza family, they would no doubt treat this with the utmost urgency.

Soon, the doctor arrived. After treating the two bodyguards, he confirmed that while their injuries were severe, they were not life-threatening.

Adeline had the bodyguards carefully settled, knowing they had done everything they could to protect Gracie.

Despite the severity of the situation, the Mendoza family remained surprisingly calm, thanks to Adeline's leadership.

Camilla, who had just finished cleaning the Westfall Tower, heard the news.

The messenger's face was full of tension and worry, but Camilla felt a strange satisfaction.

"Serves them right," she thought.

When she noticed everyone staring at her in shock, she realized her true feelings had slipped out.

"How can you say that?" the maid she was working with exclaimed, stepping back as if Camilla were contagious.

"I... I didn't mean that," Camilla quickly corrected herself. "I just think... if those people dared to kidnap Ms. Mendoza, they won't end well. It's what they deserve."

Her explanation sounded weak, even to her.

The others exchanged odd looks.

Some of them were thinking about reporting it to Philip.

But because of Gracie's situation, Philip was busy, and they couldn't see him.

Meanwhile, Adeline was watching the surveillance footage.

After receiving medical treatment, the bodyguards were able to recall where Gracie had been taken.

The footage from that area was soon transmitted over.