"A group of international mercenaries came to Jakarta a few days before Mia’s incident?" After hearing Yusuf Zuck’s retelling, the shrewd Marco Tuff immediately sensed something extraordinary. What would an international mercenary organization be doing in Jakarta? Or did they arrive at the same time as Mia?
"Yusuf, where is this friend of yours? Can you introduce me?" Marco Tuff asked expectantly.
Yusuf shook his head, smiling, "He’s a lone wolf; I don’t even know where he is. Before coming here, I asked him to look for Mia, and he’s just found something." Yusuf didn’t plan to introduce Fleur Carson to Marco Tuff, and Fleur wouldn’t agree to meet him either.
"Then please trouble your friend for me. Tell him that I will cover all the expenses incurred. If he really can find a clue to Mia’s whereabouts, I will make sure to reward him handsomely!" Marco Tuff promised.
"Uncle Marco, it’s too early to say. Also, I wanted to ask, who are those foreigners in the corridor?" Yusuf inquired curiously.
"They are from a security team hired by the company, belonging to Blackwater Security Company. Since I travel abroad frequently, I entrust all matters of security to Blackwater and have signed a contract with them," Marco Tuff answered.
"Oh." Yusuf nodded, having certainly heard of Blackwater Security Company. The company was formed by some retired members of the United States Marine Corps. It had taken on many high-profile security missions and even collaborated with the US government. They were true veterans of active battlefields, with a presence in Iraq, Afghanistan, and other hotspots.
"Then, Uncle Marco, besides you, who else knew Mia had come to Jakarta?" Yusuf suddenly raised his own doubts.
If it was indeed the doing of that group of mercenaries, then they must have known about Mia’s whereabouts beforehand. But who else could know where Mia was?
"Who else knew?" Marco Tuff and the elderly gentleman in traditional attire looked at Yusuf with newfound respect — he had hit on a key issue.
"A few of my assistants and my driver!" Marco Tuff responded truthfully.
"Oh." Yusuf didn’t ask further; Marco Tuff, a man of great intelligence, would not have overlooked this problem. Therefore, he must have conducted some investigation or had a backup plan.
With a buzz, while the three remained silent, Yusuf suddenly heard a vibration coming from Marco Tuff’s phone—there was no ringtone, just a single vibration.
Marco Tuff took out his phone and quickly tapped it.
However, as soon as he opened it, his body straightened up sharply, and both Yusuf and the elderly man in traditional attire heard a rustling sound coming from the device.
It was a video message—someone had sent Marco Tuff a video.
Marco Tuff’s body began to tremble, his eyes widening.
The elderly man in traditional attire quickly moved closer behind Marco Tuff, joining him in watching the video.
"Mia." The elderly gentleman exclaimed in shock.
Yusuf also sat up straight but didn’t rush over to watch.
The video was less than a minute long, and after a minute had passed, Marco Tuff’s phone rang promptly.
Marco Tuff took a deep breath and slowly answered the call.
"You number, Mr. Marco Tuff?" The voice on the phone was that of a foreigner with a thick accent; although speaking in Chinese, it wasn’t fluent at all.
"This is he," Marco Tuff responded with a heavy voice.
"You see? Your daughter is still alive. With five hundred million US dollars, we can ensure your daughter’s safe return to your side, reuniting father and daughter," the foreigner on the phone continued with a thick accent.
"Cash or transfer? Where is the transaction taking place?" Marco Tuff asked without hesitation.
"Cash, the transaction will take place in Singapore, but your daughter will reunite with you in Jakarta. I believe Mr. Tuff has the capability to raise five hundred million in cash within twenty-four hours, so we will call you again after twenty-four hours."
With a "snap," the call was disconnected, and Marco Tuff immediately stood up and called out, "Assistant Wang, come in!"
"Whoosh~" Six people entered, as Marco Tuff had six personal assistants.
"Contact finance immediately. I need five hundred million US dollars in cash, to be withdrawn in Singapore within twenty-four hours. It must be done," Marco Tuff commanded directly. He didn’t care about the money; even if he had to give up everything he owned, he would do it to get Mia back.
Although he had reported to the police, he didn’t trust the local authorities. Indonesia was a country known for its anti-Chinese sentiment. How many Chinese had died during the anti-Chinese riots in the past? So even though his daughter had been kidnapped and he had reported it, the Indonesian police only took down the report. Despite being wealthy, he couldn’t get the local police to work for him.
Another point was that he had no investments in Indonesia, perhaps due to the country’s anti-Chinese sentiment. Therefore, while he had strategic deployments and investments in many countries in Southeast Asia, he had none in Indonesia.
Therefore, having no investments in Indonesia meant he also hadn’t made acquaintances with any high-ranking officials or dignitaries; the Indonesian authorities wouldn’t go out of their way to find his daughter for him.
"Yes," the six assistants nodded simultaneously. Gathering five hundred million in cash within twenty-four hours was not difficult for the massive Fuhou Group.
"Assistant Wang, you personally head to Singapore and keep in touch with me by phone!" He entrusted the critical task to Assistant Wang, clearly his most trusted person.
"Understood, boss!" Assistant Wang nodded and then took his leave with the others.
"Uncle Tang, Mia isn’t dead. She’s not dead; as long as she’s alive, it’s good, it’s so good!" After issuing a series of orders, Marco Tuff started pacing around the room excitedly. Mia was still alive; it was indeed a kidnapping, just delayed by a few days. In these few days, the kidnappers were likely moving and finding a new place for Mia. The most update n0vels are published on novel(ꜰ)ire.net
"Uncle Tuff, may I see that video?" Yusuf Zuck stood up and asked.
"Sure, here." Marco Tuff didn’t hesitate and handed his phone to Yusuf Zuck.
Yusuf Zuck took the phone, opened the video, and was met with a scene where Mia’s hands and feet were both locked with chains and secured to a metal pipe. Not far from her was a middle-aged woman, Ross’s mother, who was also locked up, and their mouths were sealed with duct tape.
The video was clear and focused only on the two of them.
Mia had lost weight, her face dirty, makeup smeared from crying, and her hair somewhat disheveled. After watching the video, Yusuf Zuck felt an immense twist in his heart and a profound sense of anger. At that moment, he even felt like killing.
He sensed a stifling anger lodged in his chest.
"Uncle Tuff, I’m going to step out for a bit," said Yusuf Zuck as he placed the phone back on Marco Tuff’s desk and then turned to leave.
Marco Tuff didn’t try to stop him, and the elder Mr. Tang didn’t make a sound either.
Yusuf Zuck went to the hallway and, after glancing at the foreign and Chinese bodyguards once more, he stepped straight into the elevator.
At the same time, he felt something was amiss; there was something off about the people surrounding Marco Tuff because he suspected there was a mole, and it was very possible that the kidnapper’s inside man was among Marco Tuff’s entourage.
Yusuf Zuck didn’t know what to do next. If money could safely redeem Mia, that would be the best outcome, but what if, after the money was paid, the kidnappers didn’t release Mia?