When His Perfect Mask Shattered I Awoke (Anneliese) novel Chapter 512

**Chapter 512: Racing Against Time**

Selina’s face lit up with a flicker of hope. “That’s fantastic! If everything is proceeding smoothly, then that’s even better news. Do we have a confirmed time for our departure? When exactly are we leaving? And what about Jonathan—did he make any specific demands?”

But before she could finish her thoughts, Hiroto’s voice cut through the air, sharp and urgent. “Hold on a second! Forget about that for now. Where is Anneliese? Is she safe?”

“Uncle Hiroto, please, you need to trust us. We’re keeping a close eye on her,” Selina replied, trying to inject some calm into the situation.

“Jonathan wants a video of Anneliese to ensure she’s unharmed. You need to record one and send it to me immediately,” he insisted, his tone brooking no argument.

Selina felt her grip on the steering wheel tighten, her knuckles turning a ghostly white as jealousy surged through her veins once more. Jonathan had acquiesced to their terms, which on the surface seemed like a victory, but deep down, it gnawed at her. It was a clear indication of his concern for Anneliese, and the realization stung more than she cared to admit.

“God, that hurt,” she thought, her heart racing.

Her voice turned icy, sharp as a blade. “She’s the hostage, Hiroto. He doesn’t get to call the shots. You tell him that if he keeps pushing for more, I’ll start by cutting off one of Anne’s fingers. Let’s see how he likes that.”

“No! Don’t even think about doing something so reckless!” Hiroto’s voice cracked with panic, the urgency palpable even through the phone line.

Selina frowned deeply, slamming on the brakes, the tires screeching as she pulled over to the side of the road. “Uncle Hiroto?” she said, her heart pounding.

Something felt terribly off.

“Please, Selina! Don’t do anything rash. If you hurt Anneliese, Jonathan might just lose interest in her altogether. Even worse, if you provoke him, he could refuse to prepare the plane, and that would ruin everything we’ve worked for!”

He spoke quickly, his words tumbling over one another, but Selina could still detect the tremor in his voice.

They had previously agreed that she would manage the kidnapping and the hiding of Anneliese while he would keep his distance, yet now he was demanding to know her whereabouts.

Selina’s instincts flared to life, a cold chill creeping down her spine as suspicion took root. “We’ll talk later,” she said curtly, ending the call in a hurry. Cold sweat began to bead on her forehead as the realization of their precarious situation settled heavily in her chest.

On the other end of the line, the call abruptly dropped. Hiroto let out a strangled scream as a bodyguard clad in black kicked him forcefully against the wall.

Surrounded by more than ten men in similar dark attire, Hiroto felt the walls closing in. A laptop nearby was already tracing the call, desperately trying to pinpoint his exact location.

“Please! Don’t hit me! I’m sorry! I did everything you asked!” he pleaded, struggling to rise from the corner where he had crumpled, pain twisting his features into a mask of desperation. He fell to his knees, bowing his head to the floor, begging for mercy.

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