Shattered Illusions Love Lies and Redemption (Lizetta and Remington) novel Chapter 1273

Therefore, they had to rely on their own strength to find and rescue Joy before conceding anything.

And with every passing second, the window of opportunity shrank, fueling Nelson's immense anxiety.

He deeply understood the torment Lizetta was enduring.

Five minutes passed. Then ten. Then half an hour...

Lizetta's phone remained agonizingly silent.

Even the captain's brow was locked in a deep frown as he began pacing the room, wondering if the kidnappers had sensed the trap and backed out.

Twenty-three excruciating minutes later, a sharp ringtone finally shattered the silence.

Lizetta jolted in her seat.

Her first instinct was to look at the captain, who immediately signaled for everyone to get into position.

He gave her the green light to answer. Taking a deep, ragged breath, Lizetta picked up the phone.

The video connected. The camera shook violently before settling on a dimly lit corner of an unrecognizable room.

The feed offered absolutely zero visual clues.

Unable to see anyone on the screen, Lizetta gripped the phone and cried out desperately.

"Where is my son? Joy? Joy!"

Lizetta's heart twisted in sheer agony. Her voice pitched high with hysteria.

"Don't touch him! Keep your hands off my baby! I'll agree to everything! Whatever you want, it's yours! Did you drug him? Please, don't do that, his little body can't handle it! You need money, right? Give me an account number, and I'll wire the funds immediately. Name your price. Fifty million dollars? A hundred million? Two hundred million..."

As Lizetta pleaded frantically, Joy seemed to recognize his mother's voice. He suddenly twisted toward the camera, reaching out his little arms as a loud, heart-wrenching wail tore from his throat.

Lizetta stared greedily at the screen. Even though his face was covered by a black cloth, she could almost see his tear-streaked cheeks pleading for her.

She was terrified to look too closely, knowing her composure would completely shatter.

Remembering the captain's strict instructions, she desperately tried to pivot the conversation to something the kidnappers cared about, rather than wasting precious time comforting her baby.

"If it's not money you want, maybe you want to see Eartha? I can take you to her right now! I swear I've agreed to all her terms. I'll let you talk to her! Just please, stop hurting him..."