Chapter 150: Zhang Mei’s Abduction
As the clock struck 7 pm in the bustling office, the day’s tasks weighed heavily on the shoulders of the dedicated employees. Zhang Mei, aware of her responsibilities at home, decided it was time to call it a day. Gathering her belongings, she approached Xu Zhonhao, her colleagues Tang Ziyi and others still engrossed in their work.
"You guys can continue here; I’ll catch a cab," Zhang Mei informed Xu Zhonhao, her tone carrying a mix of consideration and determination.
Tang Ziyi chimed in, "It’s okay, Sister Mei. We can leave together."
Zhang Mei, understanding their offer but firm in her decision, responded, "I can tell you guys are still busy, so you can continue with your work."
Xu Zhonhao, appreciating her dedication, added, "It will take us an hour to finish here."
Zhang Mei smiled, "By the time that hour ends, I’ll be home with my mom, so I will leave you men here." With that, she bid her colleagues farewell and made her way out of the office, leaving the diligent team to carry on with their tasks.
Zhang Mei patiently waited outside the office building, the chilly evening air embracing her as she glanced around for a cab. After a brief five-minute wait, she spotted an available taxi and flagged it down. Sliding into the back seat, she directed the driver, "To Pinnacle Estate, please."
The driver, catching her gaze in the rearview mirror, remarked, "Never seen anyone taking a cab going there."
Zhang Mei, preoccupied with her phone and unfazed by the driver’s comment, simply ignored him. The driver, looking for some conversation, continued, "I’m a bit cold. Do you mind if I turn on the heater?"
Zhang Mei, polite and accommodating, replied, "No problem."
"Thank you, ma’am," acknowledged the driver. With that, he adjusted the settings, and the warmth of the heater filled the interior as the cab smoothly pulled away, navigating the city streets toward Pinnacle Estate. In the quiet confines of the cab, Zhang Mei’s thoughts wandered, contemplating the events of the day and looking forward to the comfort of home.
As the taxi continued its journey towards Pinnacle Estate, the warmth of the heater and the gentle hum of the engine lulled Zhang Mei into a state of weariness. Yawning, she felt the weight of exhaustion settling in, her eyelids growing heavier with each passing moment.
Feeling the onset of drowsiness, Zhang Mei decided to surrender to the comfort of sleep. She turned to the driver and, with a soft request, said, "Sir, please wake me up when we reach Pinnacle Estate. I’ve had a long day."
The driver responded with a gentle and understanding "hmm," acknowledging her request. Zhang Mei allowed her eyes to close, the rhythmic motion of the cab and the warmth cocooning her creating a tranquil environment. Soon, she succumbed to the embrace of sleep, leaving the driver to navigate the city’s roads as she sought rest after a demanding day.
As Zhang Mei slowly stirred from her slumber, a sense of disorientation enveloped her. Blinking her eyes open, she found herself in an unfamiliar place, bathed in an unusually bright light. The brightness seemed almost surreal, causing her to squint and shield her eyes momentarily.
As her vision adjusted, Zhang Mei took in her surroundings. The room was adorned with furniture she had never seen before—elegant and modern, yet distinctly foreign to her. The walls seemed to glow with a pristine whiteness, giving the entire space an ethereal quality. The air carried a fragrance that was different from the usual city smells, adding to the mystery of her surroundings.
Zhang Mei’s initial confusion evolved into a curious gaze around the room. She sat up, the softness of the unfamiliar bed beneath her contrasting with the firmness she was accustomed to. The furniture, though unfamiliar, exuded a sense of luxury and sophistication.
As her senses gradually acclimated to this new environment, Zhang Mei couldn’t shake the feeling of being in a place entirely out of her ordinary routine. The bright illumination, the unfamiliar furniture, and the distinct ambiance created a surreal atmosphere, leaving her with a sense of intrigue and a multitude of questions about how she had arrived in this enigmatic setting.
Panic gripped Zhang Mei as she surveyed the unfamiliar room, her eyes widening in realization. The distant footsteps grew louder, echoing through the brightly lit space, and her attempts to move were thwarted by the discovery that her feet were tightly bound. Only her hands remained free, allowing her a limited range of movement.
A surge of anxiety surged through her as she began to piece together the events that led her to this mysterious and concerning situation. The realization hit her with a wave of unease – the cab driver must have drugged her. Her mind raced, trying to comprehend the gravity of the situation and the motive behind such an alarming act.
Zhang Mei’s heart pounded in her chest as she frantically scanned the room for any clues about her whereabouts. The unfamiliar furniture took on an ominous quality as her mind grappled with the possibilities of why she might be restrained in this unknown place.
Summoning all her strength, Zhang Mei took a deep breath and attempted to remain calm. She needed to assess her surroundings, find a way to free herself, and understand the motives behind this unsettling turn of events. The only certainty was that she had to act swiftly and cautiously to navigate the mysterious circumstances she found herself in.
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Li Chen emerged from his room upon hearing Tang Ziyi and Xu Zhonhao entering the villa. A sense of anticipation filled the air as he looked around, expecting to see Zhang Mei. Confusion furrowed his brow as he asked, "Where is Zhang Mei?"
Tang Ziyi responded, "Sister Mei said she would catch a cab. Maybe she is already here."
Li Chen’s concern deepened, and he glanced around the villa, searching for any sign of Zhang Mei. The uncertainty of her whereabouts added a layer of tension to the atmosphere. Wondering if something might have delayed her, Li Chen contemplated the next steps, a sense of unease settling over him.
As worry etched lines on Li Chen’s face, Sun Lixia, his mother, stepped out of Mu Lingling’s room and noticed the anxiety in his expression. Concerned, she asked, "What is wrong? You look worried."
Li Chen, his mind preoccupied with the absence of Zhang Mei, replied, "Is Zhang Mei with her mother?"
Sun Lixia shook her head, "No, I was in her mother’s room just now. She is alone."
A sense of unease settled over Li Chen as he realized that Zhang Mei, who had left the office before him, hadn’t returned home. Sun Lixia shared in his worry and suggested, "Have you tried calling her?"
Li Chen, momentarily forgetting about his phone, quickly dialed Zhang Mei’s number. The call went straight to voicemail, deepening his concern. Sun Lixia, noting the situation, added, "Her phone is off."
Tang Ziyi, who had been present during the conversation, expressed remorse, "Oh no, I shouldn’t have allowed her to take a cab alone."
Li Chen, attempting to reassure Tang Ziyi, said, "It’s not your fault. I’m sure she will be back soon."
Sun Lixia exchanged a glance with Xu Zhonhao, who quietly left the room to investigate further. Li Chen, wanting to ease Tang Ziyi’s worries, suggested, "Tang Ziyi, you can go and rest. You worked late today. I’m sure Zhang Mei will be back soon."
Although Tang Ziyi remained skeptical, Sun Lixia intervened, "Don’t worry. By the time you wake up, she will be back."
Tang Ziyi, still uncertain, insisted, "Wake me up as soon as she returns."
Li Chen assured him, "Sure thing," though the underlying worry about Zhang Mei lingered in his eyes.
The atmosphere in the room grew heavier as Tang Ziyi left, leaving Li Chen and Sun Lixia alone with their shared concern for Zhang Mei. Li Chen, unable to shake off the unease, voiced his suspicion, "I suspect something happened to her."
Sun Lixia, trying to offer reassurance, stated, "Don’t worry, my men will get her back." Despite her words, a sense of urgency lingered in the air.
Just as Li Chen sighed, his phone suddenly rang. Hope flickered in his eyes as he answered quickly, anticipating it might be Zhang Mei. However, the voice on the other end belonged to a man, and what followed sent shivers down their spines – a maniacal laughter that resonated through the phone, filling the room with an eerie and unsettling vibe.
Li Chen and Sun Lixia exchanged alarmed glances, a shared realization that Zhang Mei’s situation might be far more ominous than they had initially feared. The unexpected call left them with more questions than answers, and the ominous laughter echoed in the room, casting a shadow over their previously tranquil evening.
Li Chen’s voice, laced with concern and a hint of fear, demanded answers, "Who are you? What do you want?" The response from the mysterious voice sent a chill down his spine, "I know you like her."
Li Chen, now with a quiver in his voice, pressed further, "Where is she? I swear if you touch her—" Before he could finish his threat, the voice cut him off abruptly, stating, "Relax."
The word hung in the air, leaving an unsettling silence in its wake. Li Chen, his heart pounding, tried to steady his voice as he reiterated, "Tell me where she is. I need to know she’s safe."
The man on the other end remained enigmatic, responding with an unsettling calmness, "All in good time, Li Chen. You’ll know soon enough." The line went dead, leaving Li Chen and Sun Lixia in a state of heightened anxiety, their minds racing with concern for Zhang Mei and the ominous unknowns that now surrounded her fate.
