When fate plays its hand

Nelly froze completely, her body stiffening as if she had seen a ghost. Her lips trembled a she stammered, “You… You…”

Did she remember? Did she recall that abduction?

If she did… The implications were too terrifying for Nelly to even consider further.

Mindy, however, seemed to see right through the fear and panic in Nelly’s eyes. She let out a bitter laugh. “So, you actually did it on purpose. You deliberately made a noise, deliberately drew the abductors over, and deliberately got me captured!”

Years ago, the two of them had gone shopping and ended up being abducted. Bound hand and foot, they were taken to an abandoned factory on the outskirts of the city. It had likely been a spur–of–the–moment crime, with the abductors primarily aiming for assault.

When they tried to attack Nelly, Mindy had intervened to save her. She boldly revealed her wealthy family background. She even offered the black card, cash, and ID from her bag to convince the abductors that her family was worth a fortune.

As for Nelly…

“Don’t be fooled by her appearance,” Mindy had said, tilting her chin arrogantly and looking at the abductors with disdain.

“She’s just a maid. She’s only wearing my hand–me–downs. Her job is to carry my bags. What’s the point of targeting her? If you’ve got guts, ask for my ransom instead! Would you like three to five million? Or maybe 30 to 300 million? Name your price!”

Her tone, her posture, everything about her screamed spoiled heiress, a privileged daughter of a wealthy family. Hence, the abductors believed her.

Mindy had sighed in relief, but she was unaware of the shame and bitterness flickering through Nelly’s eyes in the corner. A maid? Was that how Mindy saw her? Nelly began chuckling to herself.

As the abductors began plotting how to demand the ransom, Mindy secretly used a shard of broken glass hidden in her palm to cut through her bindings. By midnight, when the abductors had fallen asleep, she quietly freed herself and woke Nelly to untie her as well.

The two sisters slipped away under the cover of darkness, fleeing the warehouse. But it didn’t take long for the abductors to discover their escape and give chase. Mindy dragged Nelly along, running frantically while asking her for a phone to call for help.

Mindy’s own phone had been confiscated, along with her bag. Nelly’s phone had also been taken, but Mindy distinctly remembered her carrying a backup phone. That was why she asked for it. Nelly, however, claimed she hadn’t brought it with her.

+25 BONUS

Despite the setback, Mindy didn’t give up. She led Nelly into the mountains instead of heading toward the main road.

She knew it was the middle of the night in a remote area. Even if they reached a road, they might not find anyone to help. And even if they did, who would dare intervene against a gang of criminals? novelbin

That was why Mindy chose the mountains for their safety. The abductors were few in number and unlikely to conduct a thorough search. As long as they hid well, they could wait out the day or two it would take for the abductors to give up. Once the danger passed, they could emerge safely.

Everything unfolded according to her plan. Just before dawn, Mindy found a small burrow hidden behind a thick grove of trees. It was likely made by an animal and was just big enough for someone to lie sideways with their head sticking out.

“Where will you go, Min?” Nelly had asked, her voice trembling with panic.

Mindy pointed to two large rocks not far away. There was a narrow gap between them, just enough for her slender frame to squeeze into. The sisters could see each other from their hiding spots, allowing them to keep watch over one another.

Soon, the abductors arrived, combing the area. Finding nothing, they cursed loudly and prepared to retreat. So, thinking the danger had passed, Mindy was just about to breathe a sigh of relief when a faint noise drew the abductors‘ attention.

They turned back. And just like that, Mindy was found.

Paralyzed with fear, she ran aimlessly like a headless chicken. However, one of the

abductors caught up to her and slapped her twice across the face.