Leandro cursed, face hardening. He pulled out a note attached to the package. The words were simple, merciless:
One hundred million. Last chance. Or the child dies.
A phone chimed, and seconds later, a video played on his screen. Gwen—my Gwen—bound, crying, her tiny voice begging for her mommy. A masked man’s voice thundered, “Money. Or we’ll cut more.”
My stomach twisted. I reached out to grab the phone, but Leandro pulled it away.
And then he had the audacity to sigh. “Look at this. Another one of your schemes, Emerald. Admit it—you’re behind this. These men are probably yours.”
My eyes widened. “What? Are you insane? You think I’d mutilate my own daughter?”
Nadine’s sweet, poisonous voice slipped into the space between us. “Well… didn’t you mention to me once that you needed money for your family? Maybe this is your father’s doing. And you’re helping him.”
I froze. Father. The man I barely spoke to. The man they loved to throw in my face.
Leandro’s gaze sharpened, suspicion gleaming. “Of course. That’s it. You and your father. Scammers, just the same.”