Chapter 199 - Outsmart Vincent
Hailey leaned back on the couch and pressed her eyelids as she took a deep breath. Although Bruce already notified Pitt, Keith, and the other knights about the situation inside Shen Tower, she needs to find out where Liam hides Gigi and Fraine. Moreover, she wants to know if Tom is still alive.
"Where is Tom?" she asked Liam afterward.
The guy replied, "My men only beat him up. I won't kill him yet."
Hailey shrunk her pupils, pressing her lips from anger. If she disliked Liam before, now she hates him even more.
"What are your conditions for freeing Gigi and Fraine? And it includes all customers on this floor. They should leave as well."
Liam is not happy at all with her requests. "You are demanding too much, sweetheart. So I'm going to tell you now. Each life comes with huge compensation."
"Then what do you want me to do so that you will free them all?"
"My plane is already waiting for us. All it needs is for you to come with me," said Liam, with a smirk contorted in the corner of his mouth.
'Plane!?' Upon listening carefully, Hailey found a piece of helpful information. 'That's it! Liam has no plan to let Gigi go. She is with Galvin now! And possibly Tom was there too.'
However, even she badly wanted to instruct her knights to search Liam's private jet in the Metro City International Airport. But, knowing the Huo cousins, they will show no signs of the plane.
They are possibly hiding the plane in one of the hangars within the airport. And they have Senator Gu on their side who can do a cover-up for them. He has the power to make such requests and ordered the airport not to give their location. Besides, Liam's background is enough to get the government's side.
Maybe Liam shows less royal activities to the media, but he is the first in line to inherit the throne as the future king of V Country. Therefore, the government won't harm him or will try not to offend him.
However, she will also use her own background to fight Liam and defeat him with her influence.
But at this moment, she was praying to heaven, hoping that Bruce would figure out what she caught onto Liam's statement. She prayed Bruce would realize where they took Gigi.
Galvin and Liam's best place would be to keep Gigi is inside the V Royal Airlines, a private jet for the V Country's royal family. So no one will ever dare suspect if something is happening inside that plane.
Now, she needs to contact Bruce to instruct Pitt and Keith to look for Liam's private plane. But, first, they should stop the Huo cousins' flight and then save Gigi and Tom.
And as for Fraine, Liam made a huge mistake. He didn't know who he was fighting against. Once Rodney learned someone kidnapped Fraine, that guy would not just sit around. He's going to search for her.
Liam is only waging war against the Southeast Asia Lords.
Now, she needs to buy more time. First, she needs to know where Fraine was held captive. Then, Bruce can hear of her conversation with Liam. So then, she needs to interact with him until his mouth slips out and he mentions the possible location of Fraine. She wondered if Fraine was in this building.
But which floor? She wants to contact Sandy and hack all the security cameras in this building. Sandy can do that so quickly because Crow Technology developed Shen's security system. It means a piece of cake for ATHENA.
'Bruce, did you figure it out already? It's the plane!'
Hailey had high hopes that Bruce would immediately figure out the possible places. And that is for sure. Bruce went to intensive training for two years to become a Government Special Agent. He specializes in how to become the best asset and agent to solve a situation.
He picks up the hint the moment Liam mentions his plane to leave soon. Liam will make sure that he can leave the country whenever he wants because he is holding several lives.
Immediately, Bruce sent a message to Pitt and Keith about the possibilities that Liam brought Gigi and Tom to his private jet. Also, he contacted someone who could help him determine if a Royal Airlines bound to V Country was preparing to take off anytime soon.
Within a few minutes, Sandy informed Bruce that there are no records that the V Royal Airlines was in Metro City International Airport. So it means Liam hides his plane either in the neighboring province or somewhere.
"I'm sorry to report it to you, Princess. Bruce reported to her through a special device. Liam's plane is nowhere in the airport."
Then, where are Gigi and Tom?
Hailey reached her forehead and pressed her fingers to the part where it throbs. It looks like stress has stricken her—she needs to calm down and think properly.
"Tell me, Liam. How did you manage to enter this building? My knights guarding the whole grounds of Shen Tower?" She asked Liam to distract herself and the guy until Bruce had time to search for them. Besides, this remains a mystery to her.
Liam broadens his smile after he hears her question. He muttered, "I thought you would never ask me."
He seems excited to discuss this, which Hailey couldn't help to raise a brow. 'Is my question really that exciting?'
"They said your boyfriend is a genius. But of course, it's easy for me to outsmart him."
"Oh, really?" Hailey gives Liam an indifferent look.
"I admit how tight the security in this building is, including the Crow Technology system well protected. I can't hack anything. So I need to think of another way. I noticed you forgot to watch the rooftop. So it was easy for me to land without noticing me."
"So, are you saying that you went inside this building riding a helicopter?" And he's right! Why did she forget to watch the air?
"Liam, I need to go to the powder room." She wanted to excuse herself to respond to Bruce. However, Liam also sat up from the couch across from hers.
"Do you think I can escape from here?" She reasons out, which she felt ridiculous. "We are on the 16th floor. How could I jump that high? I could not leave. Besides, you held my friends. I would never abandon them!"
'I will leave no one behind this time!' Hailey mumbled into her head.
"I'm not worried that you are trying to escape, sweetheart," said Liam with an amusing smile plastering on his face. He tried to reach for her face, but she quickly stepped back, which made Liam frowned.
"I know you can't do that to your friends. Also, I know you have your ways to contact and give your knights an instruction. Crow Technology is developing devices you can use at times like this."
Liam scanned her from the head down to her clothes. He went on, "I don't know which one you are wearing is a jewelry spy device. That is why I will accompany you to the restroom and make sure you won't talk to anyone over a piece of gadget."
Hailey soured her facial expression. Isn't that a scandalous scene? Everyone recognized her. What would the people think if they saw her going into the powder room with Liam? It will be a blast of gossip if they've seen her in a restroom with another man.
'Dammit! Liam is too cautious now!' Hailey frets inwardly. But she really needs to use the power room.
Hailey sat back on the couch and sighed inwardly. But then, she had to think about how she could convince Liam to go alone in the ladies' room.
"Liam, I really need to go to the powder room. Don't you have a female assistant to accompany me? Do you know it is inappropriate if people saw us together in the ladies' room?"
"What's wrong with that? Are you afraid that a scandal would come out that you are cheating on Mr. Shen?"
Hailey shoots a dagger look at Liam. She felt more disgust staring at his face this close. Why is she feeling unwell every time she sees him? Now her head keeps pounding, and it seems to get severe as the minute passes.
In the next several seconds, Hailey remained silent, in which Liam seized the opportunity to continue blabbing.
"I would be honest; I was excited to orchestrate a scandal with you. But the damn knights' and that person tailing you around are pests, and I can't get a perfect opportunity. So I think this is the ideal chance for me to begin."
"What are you planning, Liam? Scandal, what? Do you think Vince would believe it? Are you serious about destroying my reputation? And you are saying I will be the queen of V Country? How would your ministers accept me? You are talking nonsense at all." Hailey spoke coldly that even her eyes have no light at all.
Suddenly, she felt timid. What's wrong with her moods lately? Is she just too stressed?
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