Reborn Young Miss: Phoenix Burning Red-Chapter 373: Betrayed by Her Own Sister (1)

This wasn’t what Valerie had in mind when she planned her vacation. It never dawned on her that danger awaited her once she reached her destination. It wasn’t the first time Valerie had gone hiking, but it was surely the first time—possibly also the last time—she was abducted.

At first, she thought that there were some mistakes, as her companions who were to hike the mountain were nowhere to be found. It wasn’t until someone hit her in the back that Valerie realized she was in danger.

It had been five days since she was abducted, and Valerie was certain her family and her friends were looking for her by now. She had no idea where she was now, but she was sure as hell that she wasn’t in the countryside, where the mountain range tourist attractions were located.

Her backpack, mountain gear, and phone were nowhere to be found. Her heart sank as she realized that her only means of communication had been taken from her. 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝕨𝕖𝗯𝚗𝚘𝕧𝕖𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝕞

She seemed to be being kept in an abandoned warehouse near the sea. She could hear the sound of crashing waves and smell the salty air whenever the wind blew through the broken windows. The constant creaking of the old wooden floorboards beneath her feet only added to her unease.

Valerie couldn’t help but wonder who had taken her and why they had chosen this desolate place as their hideout. She also wondered if they were aware of her identity and specifically targeted her for this reason.

Valerie’s mind raced with questions as she tried to piece together the puzzle. Was this a random act, or was there a deeper motive behind her abduction? The eerie atmosphere of the warehouse only intensified her fear, making her desperate for answers.

Her stomach grumbled loudly, a reminder of the time since her last meal. Valerie’s hunger added to her unease as she realized that she might not have access to food for an extended period of time.

There was only one person—a man she’d seen these days—and he only came to check her binds and leave food and a bottle of water for her. It was a struggle for Valerie to eat and drink anything, given how tight the ropes around her wrists were. The man seemed to take pleasure in watching her struggle; his sadistic grin was etched into her memory.

Now, she was seated on old wooden floorboards, feeling the rough texture dig into her skin. The room was dimly lit, with a single flickering bulb hanging from the ceiling. Valerie’s mind raced with thoughts of escape, but she knew that breaking free from her restraints would require a stroke of luck.

The night deepened, and only the crashing waves outside penetrated the room’s silence. Valerie’s heart pounded as she listened intently, hoping for any sign of help or rescue. She knew that time was running out, and with each passing moment, her hope dwindled further.

She could hear the laughter of men from afar, and she wasn’t sure whether she should ask for their help. There was no assurance that they weren’t involved in her abduction, and Valerie feared it would only turn things worse. The thought of trusting strangers in her vulnerable state made her hesitate, but desperation pushed her to consider taking the risk. She weighed the options in her mind, knowing she had to decide before it was too late.

’Damn,’ she cursed inwardly.

She wouldn’t be in this situation if she listened to her brother’s warning. Nathan had told her to bring at least one bodyguard for her safety, but she had brushed off his concerns, thinking she could handle herself. Now, regret gnawed at her as she realized the gravity of her mistake. She wished she had been more cautious and taken his advice seriously.

Even if she wanted to scream, the cloth covering her mouth forbade her to make a sound. She desperately struggled against her restraints, but they held her firmly in place.

Valerie rested her head against the wall behind her and looked at her surroundings. Cargo boxes were stacked haphazardly, filling the dimly lit room. The air smelled musty, and the sound of distant footsteps echoed ominously.

Was this what her mother felt when she was kidnapped before? Valerie wondered.

At that time, her mother was abducted along with Airi’s mother. Her mother didn’t realize that her dependable maid had tricked her into thinking she had escaped.

Valerie curled her legs and pressed them against her chest as she felt cold and alone. Unlike her mother, she didn’t have anyone to depend on to help her escape. The longer she stayed here, the more her fear grew. She couldn’t shake off the feeling that she was being watched, and the sound of the footsteps only intensified her unease.

Valerie desperately wished for a glimmer of hope, a sign that someone would come to her rescue. But as time passed, she couldn’t help but wonder if she would ever see daylight again.

And then there it was. She could hear steady, very faint footsteps coming her way. Her heartbeat raced, wondering if the man who abducted her had decided to end her here to cut losses.

Valerie knew that her family wouldn’t allow her to commit the same mistakes they had during her mother’s abduction. She trusted that Nathan would do anything in his power to find her and save her. Adrienne also had some resources she could use to track her. Katherine’s family would also get involved once they knew she was missing.

The footsteps grew louder and closer, causing Valerie to tremble in fear. The shadow that appeared on her right told her that whoever it was, it was a man. But why was he walking and stalking her as if he were careful not to make a sound?

When the man came closer, the side of his face was slightly illuminated by the moonlight, revealing a familiar face Valerie never thought she would see at that moment.