Rebirth Revenge Is Everything (Ariana) novel Chapter 389

Her face beamed with excitement, but she failed to notice the fleeting panic in her husband's eyes, which he quickly masked with a forced calm.

Meanwhile, the elderly woman kept her gaze fixed on her husband. As soon as he hung up the phone, she anxiously inquired, "Well? What did they say?" Her heart was heavy with regret. If only she hadn’t taken little Lucian out, none of this would have happened. The thought of her one-year-old great-grandson filled her with anguish and desperation.

The old man’s voice was icy. "They’re demanding fifty billion."

Fifty billion…

The number hung in the air, plunging the room into a suffocating silence. Fifty billion—how audacious of them to ask for such an astronomical sum! For a mere child, no less. Though everyone in the room was seething with disbelief, they dared not show it. Crossing the old man was unthinkable, so they all sat in silence, brows furrowed, not daring to utter a word.

The elderly woman, too, fell silent for a moment upon hearing the figure. Fifty billion… it was no small amount. She looked at her husband and asked, "So, what are you planning to do?" Whether to call the police, pay the ransom, or take some other course of action—she waited for his decision.

The old man’s expression remained stoic. "We’ll play along for now. Even if we pay, there’s no guarantee they’ll return Lucian."

Of course, this didn’t mean he wasn’t determined to save his great-grandson. But the sum was staggering—far beyond what he could afford.

What would he do if the other party took the money and still didn't release the hostage? Moreover, he couldn't swallow being threatened like this. Without waiting for his wife to say more, he coldly glanced at his sons and grandsons, then went upstairs with a stern face as if lost in thought.

It seemed he didn't want to communicate with anyone right now.

The old lady watched her husband's retreating figure, her heart boiling with anger. But she couldn't say anything, especially in front of their sons and daughters-in-law; she had to save face for her husband.

Besides, Fifty billion was indeed too much. She also needed to think of a safe solution.

Hugh and his wife had remained silent from the start, sitting quietly. Even when the old man hinted that he might not spend such a huge sum to save Lucian, they showed little reaction. Their cold expressions were quite unsettling. The second aunt's eyes flickered, and she softly said, "Mom and third brother, don't worry too much. Since the kidnappers only want money, they probably won't harm Lucian."

The old lady didn't respond. After glancing at her second daughter-in-law, she averted her gaze and slowly made her way upstairs.

The second aunt felt awkward after being ignored.

Khloe couldn't help but sneer inwardly, thinking she deserved it.

Trying to curry favor with the old lady at such a time, without considering the circumstances!

Seeing the old lady go upstairs, the others had nothing more to say. They offered some perfunctory words of comfort to Hugh and his wife before dispersing. Only after they had all left did Jolene slowly open her mouth, her voice tinged with bitterness, "How is Ariana now?"

...

Inside the hospital, Allison gazed at Ariana's expressionless face with a heart full of pain. Fighting back tears, she said, "Ariana, please eat something. I know you're worried about Lucian, but you're carrying a child. Even if you don't think about yourself, think about the baby! How can the baby endure if you don't eat?"

Upon hearing the news of Lucian's kidnapping, Allison rushed over immediately.

She had been accompanying Ariana at the hospital for nearly two days. Ariana had barely eaten, her eyes bloodshot as she continuously made phone calls, issuing orders. Allison knew all too well that Ariana was trying to locate where her son was being held.

Stefan was also assisting in the search.

But the kidnappers were too cunning; not a single clue had been found so far. Allison's mind had already raced through countless grim scenarios. After all, Lucian was not like Jane and her sister back in the day. They had been older, but Lucian was only about a year old, utterly defenseless.

If something were to happen...

She thought Ariana would lose her mind.

Ariana remained silent, her gaze briefly meeting Allison's. Only when Allison urged her again to think about the child in her womb did Ariana slowly pick up the bowl and start sipping the soup. At the same time, a cold glint flashed in her eyes as she murmured, "They won't get away with this."