"I have indeed kidnapped your grandson. How about it? You should know why I am calling you, right?"


    Beatrice had cried herself hoarse, so Cedric took over the phone.


    "Name the price! We''ll pay you whatever you want! Just return the grandson safely!" said Cedric.


    "Huh! Spoken like a true wealthy man! Rest assured, we don''t like killing either. As long as you meet our demands, we''ll dly return your grandson. But there''s one thing: we don''t like dealing with the authorities. So don''t me us for doing something extreme if you call the cops!" threatened the leader viciously.


    "Alright, I''ll do whatever you say. Just tell me your demands," replied Cedric.


    The leader grinned menacingly, blowing smoke from his cigarette into Lucas'' face, causing him to cough. Cedric heard it and panicked.


    "Lucas! Lucas, are you okay?"


    Lucas tried to steady his voice as he said, "Grandpa, I''m fine. Don''t worry. Both you and grandma shouldn''t worry."


    "Haha, what a good grandson you are, stillforting your grandpa in such a situation. No wonder your grandparents dote on you. Since they care about you so much, they probably wouldn''t mind paying 15 million dors to buy your life, right?"


    "You want 15 million dors?" asked Cedric.N?velD(ram)a.?rg owns this content.


    Of course, their family worth exceeded that amount, but how would these kidnappers take away such a sum?


    "Prepare 250,000 dors in cash for me, and the rest can be wired to an ount. I have my ways. You don''t need to worry about it," the leader replied before preparing to hang up. However, Cedric stopped him.


    "I do have that much money, but you need to give me some time to get it. Most of my assets are not liquid."


    The leader did not quite understand, only insisting that the money be ready by the following morning.


    "Feel free to dy if you don''t mind about your grandson losing a hand or two. After all, we''re desperate criminals. If you have the money, we''ll spare your grandson''s life. If not, you can prepare for the worst," he said.


    After hanging up without any mercy, the leader met Lucas'' gaze with a hint of amusement. He found it intriguing. Despite being bound, Lucas had not shown any signs of fear. He truly lived up to the next head of the Rivera family.


    "Aren''t you afraid, kid?" he asked.


    Lucas replied confidently, "You said you wouldn''t take my life as long as my grandfather prepares the money. As long as he does, I''ll be fine. Why should I be afraid? Are you going to break your promise?" The leader burst intoughter. "This kid actually trusts us. Oh well, I shouldn''t be surprised at how naive he is! He doese from a wealthy family after all."


    Lucas raised an eyebrow. "If I were you, I''d choose money over killing. Fifteen million dors would set you up for life, but if you kill us, things might not go as smoothly for you. While I''m young and my grandpa hasn''t handed over the reins of the family to me, I do have a card....."


    The kidnappers hesitated.


    "Boss, could this kid be bluffing?" one of them questioned.


    Lucas remained calm despite the doubt. "If you don''t believe me, feel free to check the bnce in the ount. I may be in a vulnerable position now, but I have no reason to deceive you."