CHAPTER 133: CHAPTER 133: GIVING MYSELF TO JULIAN SINCLAIR, BEGGING YOU TO WANT ME (PART 1)

The police hurriedly controlled Jenna Sutton, saying: "Calm down. We’ve already investigated this morning; Eleanor and Walter are merely the lower-level intermediaries selling out the supplier. The buyer behind the scenes is likely connected to Burona."

Jenna Sutton completely broke down, feeling weak all over.

After finishing the report at the police station, she quickly took Doris to the car and headed for The Sinclair Family.

Although the police assured her they would investigate diligently, if Zoe had truly been sold to Burona, every minute wasted increased the danger; she couldn’t afford to wait!

She had long heard that Apex Law Firm’s intelligence network spanned the globe. Now, she could only rely on Julian Sinclair.

Doris had been taken to the rest area earlier and hadn’t heard what the police said.

But she saw Jenna Sutton crying continuously on the way, her hands trembling while gripping the steering wheel.

Doris felt like crying too, choking up as she asked: "Auntie Jenna, is my mom... can’t be found anymore?"

"No..." Jenna Sutton’s throat tightened, making speaking difficult, "We will find her, very soon..."

As she spoke, she accelerated the car.

Doris again asked, "Where are we going now?"

"The Sinclair Family." Jenna Sutton, holding back anxiety to prevent the little girl from losing hope, patiently explained: "Remember Uncle Sinclair? He will find a way."

Doris was surprised; she certainly remembered Uncle Sinclair.

But, mom was in trouble, and it wasn’t dad who was going to save mom, but another man.

Dad was really so cruel, so disappointing.

Doris thought silently and felt even more upset.

Finally, the car reached The Sinclair Family, and Jenna Sutton explained her purpose. The servant quickly took her inside.

Madam Sinclair was summoned in the middle of the night, and she asked with particular kindness, "Jenna, why are you crying like this? What’s happened?"

"Grandma Sinclair, is Attorney Sinclair home?" Jenna Sutton cried, first letting the maid take Doris away, then stuttered while explaining the situation to Madam Sinclair.

The old lady was frightened out of her wits at hearing the word ’kidnapping’.

Jenna Sutton said, "Madam, Attorney Sinclair is the only one who can save Zoe now!"

Madam Sinclair hurriedly said, "Julian is not in the country now; he accompanied his mother abroad for medical treatment. I’ll call him right away!"

With that, the old lady immediately made the call without further ado.

...

In a private hospital overseas.

The smell of disinfectant permeated the single-patient room, with Diana Caldwell lying in bed as chemotherapy drugs slowly entered her veins.

Julian Sinclair sat quietly on a chair beside the bed, accompanying his mother.

Diana Caldwell’s eyes were slightly red as she choked, "Julian, I haven’t fulfilled my responsibility as a mother to you, yet you still choose to spend my last moments with me. I’m sorry, my son..."

"Don’t say those things."

Julian Sinclair frowned, not very willing to discuss this topic because he had witnessed his parents’ disgraceful moments and didn’t want to recall those past events.

At that moment, the phone ringing abruptly disrupted the silence in the room.

He got up and walked to the corner to answer the call. Jenna Sutton’s voice, full of panic and sobbing, said: "Attorney Sinclair, Zoe... Zoe was kidnapped! The kidnappers claimed to have sold her to Burona. Can you help me find her? I’m afraid something might happen to her..."

Julian Sinclair’s pupils contracted sharply. He instinctively glanced at his mother in the hospital bed and then rose to walk to the balcony.

His throat tightened, and it took several seconds for him to speak solemnly, "Are you sure? Have you reported it to the police?"

Jenna Sutton’s crying intensified, tinged with despair: "The police have made no progress at all. I truly don’t know what to do. You must help her; I know you can!"

"Understood."

Julian Sinclair said just those four words before hanging up the phone.

Returning from the balcony, he looked at his mother and said, "Mom, I’ll have Leo Grant stay here with you; I have an urgent matter that requires my departure."

Just as he was about to step out, Diana Caldwell’s weak voice stopped him: "Julian, it’s about Zoe, isn’t it?"

She knew her son too well; only one person could make him leave so hastily during her chemotherapy.

Julian Sinclair paused his steps, turned to look at his mother’s weary face, and candidly replied: "Yes."

Diana Caldwell’s breathing became suddenly rapid.

She furrowed her brows and repeated over and over, "Why do you insist on getting involved with Zoe? I wouldn’t oppose you finding anyone, but Zoe is Timothy’s wife! What you’re doing violates human ethics!"

Julian Sinclair spoke angrily, "What have I done? I have kept things clear and decent with her; I’ve neither broken the law nor violated morals. If you understand the term ’ethics’, you wouldn’t have done what you did back then."

Diana Caldwell widened her eyes as Julian Sinclair’s words ripped open her most shameful wound.

She nodded slightly, saying, "Precisely because of that, I can’t let you repeat my mistakes! I don’t want you spending your life like me, feeling inferior and being pointed at."

She suddenly raised her hand to pull the needle from the back of her hand: "If you insist, then I won’t continue treatment either. I’ll go back with you! I want to see every time what’s so urgent about Zoe that makes you this way!"

The needle slipped out of the vein, and blood immediately trickled out, flowing down the back of her hand.

Julian Sinclair gazed at the glaring red but didn’t step forward to stop her. He remained standing, his gaze as deep as a cold pond: "Do you remember what I once said? Working as Timothy’s divorce lawyer was my final compromise, and I’ve done that. But I dislike being coerced; life is yours. If you don’t want it, then there’s nothing I can do!"

After speaking, he ignored his mother’s shocked and hurt expression, decisively turned, and strode out of the hospital room.

Diana Caldwell sat rigidly on the hospital bed, still gripping the bloodied needle, her eyes fixed on the empty doorway.

Why couldn’t Julian understand her painstaking efforts?

Her chest felt stifled, breathless, and suddenly she started coughing violently, and a mouthful of blood surged out.

...

Meanwhile, Julian Sinclair left the hospital room, took out his phone, and pressed a series of numbers.

His voice was cold and trembling slightly, as he ordered, "Activate all intelligence points near Burona immediately, focus on the human trafficking that flowed out from the country yesterday and today. Within an hour, I want a preliminary location."

A succinct response came from the other end, "Yes, Mr. Sinclair."

He hung up the phone and strode towards the parking lot.

The hem of his black trench coat was lifted sharply by the wind, and each step was fast and heavy.

As he opened the car door and sat down in the driver’s seat, the cold rigidity around him suddenly collapsed, as if all his strength had been drained away, and he leaned heavily against the back of the chair.

He closed his eyes and pressed deeply at his brow with his knuckles, but he couldn’t dispel the headache and agitation.

Years of training in business and court had long taught him to remain calm, holding his emotions in check.

But at this moment, various scenarios that Zoe Ellison might be facing flashed through his mind.

Those images were like iron nails, stabbing his heart into a tight knot, his fingertips trembling uncontrollably.

Just then, his phone suddenly vibrated. Seeing Diana Caldwell’s incoming call, Julian Sinclair directly declined it and casually threw the phone onto the passenger seat.

He adjusted his emotions, forcing himself to calm down.

Then he gripped the steering wheel tightly, stepped on the gas, and sped toward the airport.

...

Meanwhile, in the country.

The light in the police station corridor was glaring in the late night, and Jenna Sutton, called in to provide clues in the middle of the night, walked in quickly.

As she just pushed open the door of the interrogation room, she found Timothy Xavier was also there.

Of course, he’s still Zoe Ellison’s husband for now, who else would they notify?

Jenna Sutton walked up to him and asked coldly, "Do you believe it now? Why didn’t you say this time that Zoe Ellison and I teamed up with the police to trick you, Timothy Xavier, you fool!"

The red in Timothy Xavier’s eyes was almost overflowing, but he didn’t have the energy to argue with Jenna Sutton.

He stared at the police, biting out each word heavily, "Can you contact the kidnappers? I’ll pay whatever amount they want, no matter how much! I want my wife back unharmed!"

The policeman reassured, "President Xavier, we know you’re anxious, but it’s not about the money now. The kidnappers who abducted your wife have been caught, but their buyer, knowing there’s a crackdown on human trafficking in the country, doesn’t dare to show up. Moreover, they have likely taken your wife abroad, possibly even to Burona. We need to contact international police. It’s complicated and can’t be resolved in one or two days."

Timothy Xavier was thunderstruck and suddenly slumped onto the bench as if his soul had flown away.

His head drooped, his bangs covering his eyes, his voice faint as if in a dream, "Zoe, I’m sorry..."

Unable to hold back any longer, Jenna Sutton rushed over and kicked him hard, her eyes full of anger and heartache, "Timothy Xavier, stop pretending to be sorry! What’s the point of saying sorry now? Where were you before?"

She pointed at his nose, her voice trembling with agitation, "All these years of marriage, it’s not just this one thing you’ve wronged her on! Whatever Serena Sawyer said, you just believed it! Your mother treated Zoe and Doris so horribly, and you turned a blind eye. Now, what are you pretending for? You make me sick!"

Timothy Xavier stayed silent, feeling that he deserved the scolding.

He even felt less guilty in his heart, as if it made him feel more at ease when Jenna Sutton scolded him like that.

Having exhausted herself, Jenna Sutton caught her breath and continued, "Those people were targeting you! Zoe got caught up in it because of you! The one who deserves to suffer is you, why should she bear this hardship?"

Timothy Xavier frowned and looked up, his eyes full of bewilderment, "What do you mean? Targeting me?"

Seeing this, the policeman stepped forward and spoke heavily, "President Xavier, this is the second matter we need to discuss with you. The mastermind behind your wife’s kidnapping is Hector Shaw, whose father is Walter Shaw. Does this name ring a bell?"

"Walter Shaw..."

The moment Timothy Xavier uttered the name, his whole body went rigid in shock.

Years ago, to expand Xavier Group’s territory, he pushed aggressively, swallowing The Shaw Family’s company, driving Walter Shaw into a corner, ultimately leading to him and his wife’s suicide.

Back then, he only considered it inevitable in business competition, never imagining a day would come for retribution.

All these years, he’s been eating vegetarian and praying, not just for Naomi Sawyer but to atone for the indirect blood he’s had on his hands.

This includes his deceit towards Zoe Ellison.

Sadly, even God cannot forgive him now.

All these consequences that should have befallen him landed on Zoe instead.

At this moment, Timothy Xavier’s reddened eyes were filled with despair.

He suddenly thought of the indifferent and ruthless words he said when he received the kidnapper’s call today.

Zoe must have heard it from the other side, right?

No matter how they argued or fought, he never intended to hurt her, let alone kill her.

But he still hurt her this much.

She will never forgive him!

Images of Zoe Ellison’s repeated ’cries for help’ flashed through his mind, but he never paid attention.

Once, her gaze at him was full of joy; later, it became cautious anticipation; and then, it was helpless despair.

In fact, he understood it all but deliberately ignored it.

Timothy Xavier thrust his hands into his hair, pulling hard, his knuckles turning white with the force.

Why was it Zoe Ellison who was kidnapped and not me?

...

They waited at the police station until dawn, but there was no news.

On each end of the bench, Timothy Xavier and Jenna Sutton sat separately.

Timothy hunched over, his fingers tightly gripping his phone.

After making a call and finding no leads, he didn’t know who else to contact.

He had no business dealings in Burona, and certainly no connections, now he couldn’t find a single clue.

Jenna was too tired from yelling and couldn’t chase him away.

Now, she was left with only numb waiting.

Just then, with a crash, the glass door of the police station swung open.

Julian Sinclair strode in.

His black suit was still damp with the night dew, his collar slightly open, eyes showing obvious fatigue, unable to hide the exhaustion of his travels.

Yet he still mustered his energy, standing there.

Timothy and Jenna stood up almost simultaneously.

Timothy’s brow furrowed tightly, his tone full of hostility and wariness: "What are you doing here?"

Jenna immediately pushed Timothy away with such force that he stumbled a bit.

"I begged Attorney Sinclair for help! If we can’t count on him, who else can we count on? I begged you so hard yesterday, did you do anything? Apart from flaunting your affection with that Sawyer Wretch, what else do you know?"

Having said that, she moved half a step closer to Julian and asked nervously, "Attorney Sinclair, is there any news about Zoe?"

Julian’s voice was slightly hoarse from a sleepless night: "My team has already mobilized overseas resources and we’ve got a preliminary lead. We’re currently confirming the exact location, Zoe Ellison indeed has crossed the border."

The light on Jenna’s face instantly dimmed, her shoulders slumped drastically, and her voice filled with sobbing desperation: "Crossed the border... Doesn’t that mean she’s really been sold to Burona? What... what’s happened to her now?"

Julian remained silent, only pursing his lips tight.

The deep worry in his eyes was like ink that couldn’t be dissolved, along with a faint hint of painfulness clearly reflected in his gaze.

Every second that passed, Zoe Ellison’s peril increased, and this agony was almost shattering his rationality.

His gaze finally fell on Timothy, his eyes were cold as a sharp blade, filled with a murderous tension.

Timothy instinctively clenched his fist, but resisted the impulse to confront him.

He could sense Julian’s hostility, but right now, the resources Julian held were Zoe’s only chance, he had to endure it.

At this moment, Julian’s phone suddenly rang, and everyone held their breath.

He immediately answered, the usually calm and collected man now had a heart tightly gripped.

The voice on the other end reported: "Mr. Sinclair, the specific location is locked near The Old Quarter of Kordan, should we engage with them immediately?"

"Yes, no matter the cost, I want her safe and sound!"

Julian’s eyes suddenly sharpened, he said in a deep voice, "I am going over myself now. Remember, not a single hair on Zoe Ellison’s head should be harmed!"

Timothy saw this and suddenly stood up to follow him: "Is there news of Zoe? I’m going too!"

Julian turned around and suddenly landed a punch hard on his face.

Timothy, caught off guard, was completely dazed by the punch!

Immediately after, Julian grabbed his collar tightly, gritting his teeth: "Timothy Xavier, I’ve put up with you long enough! Stop following me!"

"Julian Sinclair, Zoe Ellison is my wife, why can’t I go!"

He instinctively wanted to fight back, but was pulled aside by Jenna, who scolded, "Timothy Xavier, now you remember she’s your wife? Where were you when she was kidnapped, shouting with no one responding? When she was bullied by your family’s old hag and that Sawyer Wretch, where were you? Now that Attorney Sinclair has finally found a lead, you’re tagging along, hoping to flaunt your presence, play the victim, and gain sympathy once she’s saved?"

She panted, scolding even more harshly: "You can’t even spare some reflection on yourself! If Zoe really saw you, she would only feel more disgusted and angrier! Keep your fake concern for that Sawyer Wretch!"

Timothy’s face turned alternately blue and pale from the scolding, opening his mouth but unable to retort a single word.

Jenna ignored him, immediately turning to catch up with Julian who was heading out, urgently saying: "Attorney Sinclair, I’m going too!"

Julian’s tone softened a bit, and he said: "Stay here and take care of the kids, I’ll inform you if there’s any news."

Jenna bit her lip, knowing she really couldn’t help, could only nod vigorously.

If she could just take good care of Zoe’s kids, Zoe would be happy when she returns, wouldn’t she?

Zoe will definitely be okay!

She definitely will!

...

Burona.

In a cold room.

Cold water dripped down from my hair, my back pressed tightly against the cold cement wall.

What came into view was a woman in a tight red dress, with several brawny men following behind her.

The smirks on those men’s faces were clearly indicative of their intentions.

I didn’t know if it was from the cold or fear, my teeth chattered as I spoke: "Who are you?"

"I’m the boss here, everyone calls me Ruby."

The woman’s bright red lips moved as she walked over and crouched down, pinching my chin, examining me for a long while, and said regretfully: "Tsk tsk, such a pretty face, such a good figure, yet your husband isn’t even willing to pay 500,000. It’s a pity!"

With that, she patted my cheek, saying: "But, now that you’re here, I guarantee your worth will be ten times that 500,000! As long as you behave."

At this point, one of the brawny men beside Ruby came over, reached out to caress my face, almost drooling, saying: "Ruby, this chick looks like she doesn’t know anything. How about letting the brothers have some fun with her first, and when she’s learned a thing or two, she can start taking clients, isn’t that better?"

"Don’t touch me!"

I screamed with all my might, shaking my head to try and free myself from the strong man’s grip, but my voice was hoarse and distorted from fear.

Yet all my resistance was in vain.

Ruby lit a cigarette, chuckled, and said, "Sister, once you come to me, Ruby, you can’t just leave whenever you want! Looks like it’s time to teach you a lesson, let you know Ruby’s rules!"

With that, she gave a signal to the burly men behind her.

Watching those men, who looked more hideous and obscene as they approached, I shook my head desperately: "No, no, Ruby, I beg you to let me go..."

My heart felt like it exploded, despair spreading through every part of my body.

Even though I knew all my pleas were in vain, I could only instinctively beg for mercy.

As the bald man’s hand was about to touch me, I tightly closed my eyes, almost planning how I’d end my life after they violated me.

I would rather die than suffer humiliation in such a place for the rest of my life.

Suddenly, one of Ruby’s men rushed in, shouting loudly: "Sis! Wait a minute! This woman has a buyer!"

The burly men’s actions halted abruptly, and the bald man turned back disgruntled: "What’s going on? We were just about to start!"

Ruby frowned, stubbed out her half-smoked cigarette in an ashtray, and confirmed: "A buyer? That’s impossible! Didn’t the boss just say that with the military checking closely, all transactions are on hold?"

The subordinate scratched the back of his head, looking bewildered: "I’m puzzled too! But the boss made a special phone call saying this woman’s identity is unusual and that we should quickly prepare her for delivery. Moreover, the buyer offered two hundred million. The boss said you could have half of the bonus."

A trace of astonishment crossed Ruby’s alluring face. She looked at me in disbelief, murmuring, "Oh, this is worth more than I imagined? But... this woman looks like a good wife, afraid she won’t serve men well!"

Then she asked the subordinate beside her, "When will the sponsor arrive? Maybe you guys should train her a bit before sending her off! So that the sponsor won’t be dissatisfied and ruin my reputation!"

Although the subordinate was drooling at me, he still honestly told Ruby: "The sponsor specifically instructed that he wants her clean and pure."

"This..."

Ruby showed a meaningful smile and said, "I guess the sponsor likes the nurturing type! Things are more fun when done personally!"

Saying this, she used her red-painted nails to lift my chin, saying softly, "Don’t worry, I will dress you up beautifully, guaranteed to make the buyer’s blood boil at first glance, so don’t let this high price go to waste."

The subordinate behind her fawned and said: "Yes, if this woman serves the sponsor well, maybe next time the boss will buy from you again!"

Ruby laughed heartily, I just felt cold down my spine, my whole body shaking uncontrollably.

The night outside the window was as thick as ink, the wind bringing in distant, faint barking.

Remembering the sponsor’s request, Ruby was afraid her men couldn’t control themselves, so she called a few women to help wash me up.

Just after untying the ropes, I wanted to resist, to kill myself, but Ruby slapped me and said: "I’m telling you! If you don’t cooperate, I just won’t sell you! Do you want to be with one person or be ridden by thousands? You better think it over!"

Tears fell continuously, I didn’t dare to resist anymore.

After cleaning me up, they forced me to drink some kind of transparent liquid.

...

Later, I was taken to a suite decorated in European style.

The metal buckle of the belt painfully rubbed against my skin, binding me all over.

They placed me in the center of the soft large bed, with only a light silk quilt covering me.

When leaving, Ruby’s people deliberately turned off the lights, saying it was to give the sponsor a surprise like opening a mystery box.

Such darkness made me even more terrified, I couldn’t help but think about which sadistic maniac would torture me next, making me wish I were dead.

Just then, the sound of the door lock turning suddenly erupted, and all the blood in my body froze as I abruptly closed my eyes.

I clenched my fists, my nails deeply digging into my palms, but I couldn’t do anything, just waiting for the impending torture.

The man’s footsteps drew closer from afar, steady and unhurried.

Contrary to what I imagined, there were no heavy breaths, and his steps carried a refined and elegant grace.

This made me even more afraid.

So many refined scoundrels, under their gentle facade, hid perverse hobbies.

At this moment, he came to my side, his hands supporting himself on the bed, causing the edge of the bed to slightly sink.

Frightened, I held my breath, my heart almost bursting out of my chest, even forgetting to shed tears.

The next second, with a "snap," the overhead light suddenly turned on.

The blinding light made me squint instinctively, and when I saw the person in front of me clearly, I stared in shock, almost thinking it was a hallucination before death.

Julian Sinclair stood straight, the hem of his black trench coat slightly wrinkled, his usually neat hair a bit disheveled.

But at this moment, he was as imposing as a mountain suddenly appearing, blocking all darkness behind me.

I opened my mouth to call him, but the moment I did, the accumulated fear and grievances spilled over.

Tears streamed down my face, and I cried uncontrollably.

Julian Sinclair’s eyes seemed to carry a hint of pain, his brow tightly furrowed, he softly asked me: "What happened? Did they... lay hands on you?"

While speaking, he reached to lift the thin quilt covering me, probably to check if I was injured.

I was about to stop him, but before my fingertip could touch the quilt, the layer of silk had already slipped off.

The air suddenly solidified.

The usual calm on Julian Sinclair’s face instantly shattered.

What came into view was me, completely naked and bound in leather straps.