Guan Xuefeng, who had just left the Moonlight Tavern, removed a small listening device from his ear.
A cold smirk appeared on his face: "Who can find someone I've hidden?"
Meanwhile, Yang Chen and Ma Chao also left the bar.
"Brother Chen, why don't we just grab him and take him to the Guan family, then force him to hand over Xiaoxiao? Wouldn't that be simpler?" Ma Chao asked as he drove, keeping a tail on Guan Xuefeng.
"Without knowing Xiaoxiao's whereabouts, doing that would only put her in danger," Yang Chen replied, his face icy.
"So we're just letting the Guan family off the hook?" Ma Chao's eyes burned with resentment.
"Don't worry. The Guan family will pay for this," Yang Chen said, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.
At the same time, inside a high-end villa.
On a plush velvet carpet, two figures—one tall, one small—sat surrounded by toys. The little girl was happily playing.
Beside her sat a young woman in her mid-twenties with long, flowing hair. She held a fairy tale book, reading aloud to the child.
Occasionally, she would tuck a loose strand of hair behind her ear.
"Auntie, this is the story of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs! It's my favorite!"
The little girl suddenly exclaimed. She glanced out the window at the dark night, and her smile faded. Pouting, she asked, "Why hasn't Daddy come to get me yet?"
"Don't worry, Xiaoxiao! Your daddy and mommy are probably still busy. They might come for you soon," the woman said gently, her eyes filled with affection—and a trace of worry.
A black Panamera sped through the streets. Guan Xuefeng, behind the wheel, had no idea a black Volkswagen Phaeton was following at a steady distance.
With Ma Chao's tracking skills, it was impossible for Guan Xuefeng to notice.
Soon, the Panamera entered an upscale residential area and stopped in front of a luxurious villa.
Ever-vigilant, Guan Xuefeng scanned his surroundings after getting out of the car. Only after confirming he wasn't being followed did he unlock the door and step inside.
"Brother Chen, do you think Xiaoxiao is here?"
Hidden in the bushes nearby, Ma Chao whispered to Yang Chen, who was also concealed in the shadows.
Yang Chen shook his head. "Wait here. I'll check."
With that, Yang Chen moved like a panther, his agile form blending into the darkness. He dodged multiple security cameras before reaching the villa.
Inside, Guan Xuefeng had just entered when his gaze landed on the two figures sitting on the carpet.
Hearing the door open, both females looked up.
"Guan Xuefeng!" The young woman shot to her feet, tension flashing in her eyes.
"Xia He, you don't seem happy to see me?" Guan Xuefeng studied the stunning woman before him, his tone laced with feigned disappointment.
Xia He, as if fearing something, quickly shielded Xiaoxiao behind her, her expression cold. "It's late. Why are you here?"
"You know exactly why," Guan Xuefeng replied with a smirk, casually hanging his coat on the rack.
He had nearly died at the Moonlight Tavern tonight. The woman he'd wanted to bed had slipped through his fingers. Now, all he craved was release.
Everything he'd shown in front of Yang Chen earlier had been an act.
Whether it was Ma Chao blinding four of his men in an instant or the armed squad Yang Chen summoned, both had made one thing clear—he'd messed with the wrong people.
There was a real chance he wouldn't survive this. Fear gnawed at him, and the only way to drown it out was to take out his rage on Xia He.
Seeing the predatory gleam in Guan Xuefeng's eyes, Xia He seethed with anger. Clenching her teeth, she said, "You promised you wouldn't touch me until I agreed."
She wasn't his woman. A month ago, he'd forcibly confined her in this villa. And just tonight, as darkness fell, Xiaoxiao had been brought here.
Guan Xuefeng chuckled lightly, glancing at the little girl clinging fearfully to Xia He's clothes. "You two seem to be getting along well."
"What do you want?" Xia He paled, pulling Xiaoxiao tighter against her.
"You know exactly what I want," Guan Xuefeng said, his smile masking his inner terror. "If you don't want to scar this child's mind with something ugly, come quietly to the bedroom. Don't force me to take you by violence."
Xia He's face flushed with humiliation and fury. "Don't go too far!"
"Fine. You have thirty seconds to decide. If you refuse, I'll have to take you right here," Guan Xuefeng said, rising to his feet.
Xia He trembled with rage and indecision. A month ago, when she'd first been imprisoned here, Guan Xuefeng had tried to force himself on her. She'd held scissors to her own throat, threatening suicide, and that had kept him at bay—until now.
If it were just her, she wouldn't hesitate. She'd rather die than submit. But now, there was a child beside her.
From the moment she'd laid eyes on Xiaoxiao, she'd adored the doll-like little girl. Her heart ached knowing the child had been dragged into this.
"Time's up. Still refusing? Then I'll have to take you here," Guan Xuefeng said, stepping closer.
"Stay back!"
Xia He panicked, grabbing a pair of scissors and pressing them to her neck. "Guan Xuefeng, don't push me, or I'll kill myself right now!"
"Go ahead, Xia He. If you don't care about traumatizing this child, then by all means, slit your throat. I know you're not afraid to die. But think about it—if you cut your carotid artery, blood will gush out."
"I can tell this little girl likes you. If she sees you covered in blood, convulsing as you die in a pool of red, do you think she'd be scared out of her mind?"
"She looks about four years old, doesn't she? So young. If she has to witness something that horrifying, it might scare her to death."
Guan Xuefeng seemed utterly unconcerned about Xia He's threat. As he advanced, he painted a gruesome picture with his words.
"Shut up! Shut up!" Xia He screamed, tears streaming down her face.
"Waaah... Xiaoxiao is scared..."
Suddenly, Xiaoxiao burst into loud sobs. Though she didn't understand Guan Xuefeng's words, she could sense Xia He's distress.
"Don't cry, Xiaoxiao! Auntie's here!" Xia He immediately dropped the scissors and hugged the girl tightly, comforting her.
A triumphant smirk curled Guan Xuefeng's lips. His ploy had worked.