After Jiang Lai completely lost her vision, she fell into a sense of confusion. She didn’t know which direction she was headed, let alone how much time had passed. However, as long as she could feel the backup phone in her inner pocket, she wouldn’t fall into total despair, even if she were heading into a dragon’s den or a tiger’s cave.
From the beginning, Jiang Lai had considered that she might not have time to take out a backup phone, so the location sharing she had started earlier was now vital. Even if she couldn’t send any messages, her sister-in-law would definitely know her location.
Jiang Lai and Chi Yingyu had agreed on many things beforehand. As long as her daughter’s safety could be guaranteed, Chi Yingyu was to immediately report Jiang Lai’s location to the police.
Chi Yingyu was now a famous rising star in the legal industry, known to many in the police force and the courts. It would be quite simple for her to request their help in finding someone if she provided a valid reason.
In her mind, Jiang Lai went over almost everything that could happen to her. No matter what kind of humiliation she faced next, she would absolutely not give up without a fight.
Getting into the car with the other woman was merely a way to stall for time. At this moment, Jiang Lai could probably guess the worst things Si Yina was capable of doing.
Aside from kidnapping and putting her under house arrest, the woman probably wouldn’t do anything too extreme. Even if Jiang Lai refused to comply until the end, the worst that could happen would be losing her purity.
Jiang Lai wasn’t even afraid of that. If she were injured at the woman’s hands, she would at least have leverage over her — enough to charge her with at least one count of forcible indecency.
However, once such a thing happened, it would surely cause Si Yina’s family to intervene. Jiang Lai didn’t expect to put the woman in prison or receive hundreds or tens of millions in compensation; she only wanted to ensure the woman would never bother her again.
From beginning to end, Jiang Lai had only that one small wish. Yet, such a small wish was ultimately difficult to realize.
As Jiang Lai counted the time passing second by second, Si Yina received some unpleasant news: the plan on the other end had not developed as she had imagined.
Although they had indeed brought a girl back, she wasn’t the person Si Yina had specified.
Si Yina didn’t know who they had captured until she saw the photo sent over. Only then did she clearly realize it was Shen Ruxue of the Shen family.
Although Shen Ruxue was an overlooked member of the Shen family — not even considered particularly outstanding within the clan — she was still a member of the Shen family. If it were any other time, given the relationship between the two families, Si Yina would definitely have had her bodyguards release her.
However, after reading the account of the incident sent by the bodyguards on her phone, Si Yina abandoned the idea of letting the girl go. Shen Ruxue had been captured because of Jiang Leyi.
Looking at it this way, the relationship between the two girls was truly quite close. It was precisely such an important relationship that provided Si Yina with an opportunity.
Using Shen Ruxue as a bargaining chip for threats might not be as effective, but it should still allow her to achieve her goal. Thinking of this, Si Yina glanced at Jiang Lai, who was sitting obediently beside her.
Even though Jiang Lai was now doing her best to maintain her composure, her tightly pursed lips still betrayed her fear and worry.
This was the final opportunity to get a handle on Jiang Lai. Si Yina knew very well that if she missed this chance, she would likely never encounter another. Thus, no matter how many setbacks lay ahead, she had to continue with her plan.
Jiang Lai didn’t know how much time had passed when her blindfold was finally removed. As she prepared to open her eyes, Si Yina reminded her quite thoughtfully, “Open your eyes slowly. I’ve already drawn all the curtains in the car. Opening them suddenly will be uncomfortable.”
Jiang Lai knew that Si Yina always acted sweet and approachable in certain special situations, appearing very gentle. But these were all just disguises; her true face was that of an unreasonable female thug who had no sense of honor.
The first thing Jiang Lai did after taking off the blindfold was try to find out where she was. However, even when she opened her eyes and pulled back the car curtains, all she saw were buildings she didn’t recognize.
She had been in the car this whole time, and it was still daylight, which meant the drive had lasted at most three hours. After three hours, they must still be in the city, yet Jiang Lai had lived here for decades and had never seen such a place.
It was normal for Jiang Lai to have never seen or visited this place; after all, this was the Si family estate. Si Yina was very confident. Even if she let Jiang Lai have a one hour head start to run, she could catch her again before she managed to leave.
“Come inside with me. Don’t think about escaping. I guarantee you’ll never get out.”
On the resort island, the woman had still harbored intentions of letting her leave, but here at this manor, Si Yina had explicitly stated that she would not let her go so easily.
Yet her feet were still attached to her legs. Jiang Lai silently observed her surroundings. She was currently at the central building, where a palace-like villa was surrounded by lush green lawns.
Although she wanted to escape, Jiang Lai had looked toward the horizon with all her might, only to see stretch after stretch of artificial forests. She couldn’t see the manor’s fence at all.
Jiang Lai glanced at the numerous female bodyguards surrounding them and gave up. Setting aside whether she could outrun these people, in her current situation, any attempt to escape would likely result in her being caught immediately.
Jiang Lai’s inner voice was a constant stream of hatred for Si Yina, but as she looked at the door opening before her, she was forced to follow the woman inside.
Until the moment she stepped inside, Jiang Lai was still thinking about how to escape. However, the escape plans she had formulated were instantly wiped clean by the sight before her.
She had already gone over every possibility in her mind, even the scenario where her daughter was captured. But what greeted her now was a situation she had never even imagined.
Shen Ruxue… her daughter’s best friend. Why was she here? Moreover, the way she was slumped weakly on the sofa made it look as though she had been drugged.
“What have you done?!”
Ignoring the attempts of the people around her to stop her, Jiang Lai ran straight to the unconscious Shen Ruxue. She quickly shielded the girl behind her, turning to check for obvious trauma. Only after confirming her breathing was steady did Jiang Lai breathe a sigh of relief.