They gathered around Henry brazenly and made no effort to conceal their identities from him, which suggested that they did not intend to spare him. His apprehension grew deeper when he realized that. Henry found himself thrown into the room where Lucas and udia were held. His heart ached for his daughter''s safety, and he ran toward her when he saw that she was alive and well.


    "udie!" Initially still grappling with despair, udia sensed that she heard her father''s voice and perked her ears as she sat up.


    "Was that my dad''s voice? Am I hearing stuff?" udia murmured.


    Her thoughts were clouded with uncertainty, but Lucas reassured her that she heard correctly. "You heard it right. Your father''s here."


    "udia..." Henry''s voice reached udia''s ears once more, and she heard it crystal clear that time.


    Her eyes welled with tears. "Where are you, Dad? Why are you here?! Did youe to rescue us?"


    The other captors chuckled mockingly from the doorway as the father and daughter reunited. "Aww, look at that happy reunion. No one''s getting rescued, though! Your father''s here to keep youpany, so just sit tight and enjoy your time in this musty old room!"


    The door was mmed shut, and silence descended once more.


    "Why are you here? What''s happening?" udia''s voice quivered with emotion. She was still blindfolded, hence the difficulty in confirming her father''s presence except through his voice.


    "That''s not important right now. Are you both all right? Did they do anything to you?" Henry asked anxiously.


    udia shook her head. "Lucas stopped them before they tried to hurt me."


    Henry''s gaze flickered briefly over his daughter''s untouched skin. Her words brought him relief, and she seemed more frightened than


    physically harmed. His preseneN?velDrama.Org owns all content.


    brought some reassurance to the children, easing their fears


    tremendously.


    "You must be Lucas. Thank you for protecting my daughter. Your grandparents are working hard to secure your release. Have faith. They''lle rescue us soon."


    "We''re ssmates. She wouldn''t be


    here if it weren''t for me," Lucas said. with a guilt-ridden tone. He did not know how to face Henry after knowing that he was the reason why udia was dragged into the quagmire. Besides, his grandparents would be safe at home, too, rather than worrying so much about his well-being.


    "I know what you''re thinking, but you''re not to me for this. You''re also a victim," Henryforted him and went to sit beside his daughter.


    "How did you get in here, Uncle? I heard they demanded a ransom from my grandmother," Lucas asked while his sharp mind pieced the puzzle together.


    "I''m sorry couldn''t do better. I''ve let


    you down, and I''ve let my daughter down, too. The kidnappers


    ambushed me and knocked me unconscious. They even took the ransom," Henry admitted with regret.


    "You were attacked too? Are you alright now? Are you hurt?" udia asked.