My CEO Boss Is A Masked Internet Sensation-Chapter 223: The Mysterious Lady

(Arata)

I heavily breathed out when Ranold parked in the parking area of the coffee shop and killed the engine. I still had to answer his question, but I assumed we could speak over coffee.

"What will you have? Let me grab coffee, and we can discuss Karsten’s crimes. Don’t worry, I know more than you think." He winked again, and yet I couldn’t relax.

Instead, I offered him a half-hearted nod and said, "A cappuccino for me with full cream."

"Coming right up." Opening the door, Ranold climbed down from his jeep and headed towards the coffee shop.

I glanced at my phone and saw Karsten’s text drop. Having no strength to deal with him, I ignored him.

Tomorrow, onwards, I won’t have to bother with him.

It was just one night.

With a hammering heart, I sat there, clutching my phone to my chest and pondering over my life choices.

Thankfully, Ranold arrived soon, with two coffee cups in a cardboard box.

Getting in, he handed me mine.

"Here, it will keep you warm."

"Thank you!" I accepted with trembling hands. I couldn’t shake this feeling of dread.

Ranold settled down and began to sip his own while his concerned eyes travelled towards me.

"So, let it all out. I know you are hurting, and this is what I had warned you about." He took another small sip. "Rest assured, I will keep your secret safe with me." The side of his lips twitched up.

I warmed my hands against the styrofoam cup, and the burdens in my chest intensified as if someone was crushing my heart with a boulder.

I had to be careful with Ranold, too. If Karsten had taught me something, it was never to trust a man again who was not family.

"Is he linked to causing my break-up with my fiancé? Be truthful, Ranold. I know you must know this," I asked, keeping my eyes on my coffee, where cream swirled.

Ranold shook his head. "Eh! You figured that out." He paused as if collecting his thoughts and figuring out what to say to me.

I took another gulp of the warm coffee, but somehow my head felt heavier.

"Actually, it was I who picked you out. But then I found out you had a fiancé." Ranold slowly turned to face me, all that smiling persona had evaporated, replaced by a coldness that was akin to the outside weather.

"I told Karsten, but he didn’t care. He threatened Andy and his family, telling him to back off or face the consequences." Ranold blinked with such seriousness. "Sorry, but Karsten is a monster, and I only put up with him because he threatens me, too. You know he has that Mafia background."

My head began to pound, and Ranold’s face became distorted. Suddenly, my eyelids became so heavy as if I had tied iron balls underneath them.

The sweat broke out on my body, akin to being thrust into the furnace.

This was not merely because of Ranold’s words, where he spilt more truths about Karsten, thwarting any doubts I had left about his involvement.

Something was happening to my body, my hand shook so violently that I almost dropped the coffee cup.

"Let me take that." Ranold extended his hand and took the cup from me as my eyes struggled to stay open.

I knew I had been played. The stupid ruby earrings Karsten had given me were still in my ears, and I don’t know why I was suddenly reminded of them. Tilting my head with all the courage I had left, I let my shoulder rub against the earring, hoping it would fall without Ranold noticing.

His Grinch-style grin was the last thing I saw before my eyes completely shut, and my cell phone dropped from my hand.

"W—what did y–ou.." I couldn’t even complete my sentence.

"Sleep, Arata, you are so tired." His menacing voice was the last sound I heard before I lost consciousness.

I wasn’t sure how long I had passed out, but when I regained consciousness, my head throbbed relentlessly.

Trying to open my eyes, I found that I had been blindfolded and couldn’t see. My hands wouldn’t budge as they had been tied to what seemed like a chair. The ties dug into my skin.

Panic hit me like a tsunami, as I found myself unable to move. Even my mouth had been stuffed shut.

Did he take me to Karsten?

Were they going to kill me together?

Were they accomplices? Partners in crime?

Question after question bombarded my hyperactive brain. I struggled against the blinds and ropes holding me down.

"You are awake," Ranold’s amused voice came from my front, and I tried to scream at him, but only muffled gibberish came out.

"Awww! You are trying to talk. Well, why don’t we say hello to mommy and daddy? I am sure they will be thrilled to hear from their little princess."

He reached out and yanked off my blindfold, letting my eyes be momentarily blinded by the bright lights. Sun spots danced in my vision as I squinted my eyes and tried to focus on the fucker.

He stood in front of me with his cell phone recording me. That pleasant smile he always carried had chilled, losing all that warmth. His demeanour seemed to have shifted towards the darker side.

"Come on, Arata, smile. Why so grim? Say hi to Baba." His head tilted like a villain from a trendy Webnovel, and I could now sense why he always irritated me.

I glared at him with rage dancing in my eyes.

But why was he alone? Where was that asshole Karsten? The real mastermind.

My eyes darted around to take in my surroundings. It seemed like an empty room with a single door and the chair I was tied to. A few more rusty chairs and a table in the corner.

The cheap paint chipped off the walls, and bright lights bounced off it, hanging from the ceiling.

"So, let’s send this to your beloved Baba and see what he has to say. Maybe, if I am feeling generous, I will remove the gag and let you say a few words." He took a step forward and shifted his blonde hair back from his forehead and winked.

"Don’t worry, I will read aloud any messages your family will send me."

I shook my head, not my family. Baba will not be able to bear this. He appeared strong, but his heart was too soft when it came to me. I couldn’t even imagine the anguish he would go through to see me in such a state.

The fucker was enjoying this. He was twisted, as twisted as Karsten was. No wonder both of them were best friends.

And then the door opened and someone entered. I already knew who it would be.

My eyes wavered towards the figure.

But instead of Karsten, a woman entered the room. A woman, probably in her sixties, with a face which had seen too many botched surgeries.

Disgust was the only emotion on her face as she watched me.

Ranold instantly wrapped his arm around her and triumphantly declared.

"We finally got her mom."