The Contract Bride of Mr. Reid-Chapter 119: Bella in danger

Bella’s heart pounded in her chest. "I won’t do it," she retorted, defiance flashing in her eyes.

"Oh, but you will," Lionel said, his tone menacing. "If you care about Mrs. Green’s life, you will do exactly as I say."

Bella’s resolve wavered. The thought of Mrs. Green suffering because of her made her feel sick to her stomach. She had no choice but to comply. However, the thought of Theodore stepping into this viper’s den filled her with dread.

Bella’s face turned a ghastly pale. She had no faith in Lionel; he was a volatile, dangerous man. If Theodore were to come here and be harmed, she would never forgive herself.

"You are mistaken," she hissed. "I don’t have any sugar daddy."

Lionel’s grip tightened around her throat, his eyes glinting with menace. "Don’t lie!" he snarled. "I saw you with that man at the hospital. He is the one who paid for your mother’s surgery. Now, call him and tell him to bring money."

Bella’s heart pounded in her chest. She couldn’t do it. "He won’t come," she managed to gasp out. "He doesn’t care about me. He has a girlfriend."

Lionel couldn’t believe his ears. He had witnessed firsthand the tender affection that man had shown Bella. It was undeniable. How could he possibly have a girlfriend? His eyes narrowed as he tried to reconcile her words with the truth he had seen.

Bella thought he would trust her and drop the idea of calling Theodore. "Look, I’ll give you money," she offered a bribe. "Just let me go."

But Lionel was adamant. He wouldn’t let her go. Franklin had informed him that Bella was the woman his enemy loved. For her sake, that mysterious adversary would undoubtedly a huge ransom.

"I don’t care if he has a girlfriend," Lionel snapped, his eyes flashing with cold determination. "He is clearly smitten with you, and that’s all that matters. He’ll pay as much as money I want."

He held up Bella’s phone, a menacing glint in his eyes. "Theodore, is it? That’s the name, right?" he scoffed, scrolling through the recent messages. "Seems our little birdie is quite missed. He is really worried about you."

He thrust the phone into Bella’s face, the texts glaring back at her.

’Bella! Why are you not answering my call? I am worried.’

’Call me back, please.’

’Where are you? You are making me nervous.’

’Look, I am sorry. I was busy in meetings and couldn’t answer your calls. Now, don’t be upset with me. Please come home.’

Lionel feigned sympathy. "So touchy," he drawled. "Missing you already, is he?"

Bella’s heart sank as she read Theodore’s messages. She could sense his worry and guilt. She couldn’t control her emotions. The words she had just read echoed in Bella’s mind.

She was so wrong about him. Because of some photographs, her faith in him swayed. Shame, anger, and a profound sense of loss washed over her.

Lionel’s voice, cold and calculating, pierced through her turmoil. "What do you think how he will react after knowing you are kidnapped? Won’t he be worried?"

His words were a dagger, twisting in her heart. She met his gaze with a look of pure loathing, her jaw clenched tight.

"He will do anything I ask to save you," he taunted. "Now...call him and ask him to bring ten million in cash."

A surge of defiance rose within her. Theodore didn’t deserve to be dragged into this. She would definitely find a way to get out of her, but she refused to involve her husband.

"You don’t know who you are provoking," she warned. "This will be your final mistake in your life. You still have time...Release me."

Her words seemed to amuse him. His laughter turned to a sneer as he slapped her hard across the face. The world tilted, and the metallic taste of blood filled her mouth. Her head spun, and she collapsed against the wall, her vision blurred.

"Your stubbornness will only make yourself and Mrs. Green suffer. If anything happens to her, you will be responsible," he threatened. With a final, contemptuous glance, he turned and left her alone.

Panic seized Bella as she heard the door slam shut. She was afraid he would hurt Mrs. Green. Desperation clawed at her heart.

"Lionel, come back," Bella shouted, tremors coursing through her veins. "Don’t hurt her. I’ll do whatever you say, just spare her..." Her sobs echoed in the silent room.

Lionel reappeared in the doorway, a smug grin plastered on his face. "Are you sure?" His eyes drilled into hers, challenging her resolve.

Bella nodded, blinking rapidly to dispel the lingering tears. "I’ll call him," she managed to say.

A triumphant smirk spread across Lionel’s face. "Very good. But the price has increased now. Ten million will be not enough. Tell him to bring fifty million."

Bella felt a surge of anger. "Are you crazy?" she snapped, her voice rising. "How could he arrange that much cash so quickly?"

Lionel shrugged nonchalantly. "I don’t know...It’s not my problem. If he can’t arrange it, I won’t guarantee not to hurt you and Mrs. Green." He crouched down in front of her, his eyes cold and calculating. "And what will happen to your mother after you?" His voice was a chilling promise of worse things to come.

Rage consumed Bella. She bared her teeth, her eyes flashing with fury. "Lionel, you are a monster," she hissed.

His patience was wearing thin. "Stop wasting my time," he snapped. "I am dialing his number." As he reached for his pocket, Bella’s heart sank. She knew what was coming, and the fear that gripped her was almost paralyzing.

At the villa...

Theodore paced the grand hall of his villa, his mind a whirlwind of worry. Each passing moment was an eternity as he awaited an update from Tristan. He tried to contact Bella, but her number was unreachable.

"Where can she go? Where did she go without informing anything?" he muttered. He dialed her number again, his heart pounding in his chest. Once more, the call went unanswered.

Fear was beginning to consume him. "Please call me, Bella. Don’t scare me like this." Just as despair started to encroach upon his sanity, his phone rang. Relief washed over him as he saw Tristan’s name on the display.

"Hello... Tristan?" Theodore breathed into the phone with urgency. "Did you find anything?"

"Yes, Em... I track down her location. It’s in the countryside, in her home town," Tristan replied steadily.

"Are you sure?" Theodore’s mind raced. He had expected many possibilities, but her hometown was not one of them. Were the moneylenders back to haunt her?

"Confirmed," Tristan assured him. "The location is still showing there."

A surge of determination coursed through him. "Alright. Let’s go there." He rushed out of the house. His driver was off duty, so he had no choice but to take the wheel himself.

"I am on the way. Come to the square fast. I’ll be waiting for you there," he told Tristan before speeding out of the gates.