Chapter 4

This display of a father-daughter bond, delivered as what could've been a final message, struck a chord with everyone watching.

Millions of viewers in the live stream were instantly heartbroken.

"Good grief! This is just tragic. That poor girl is waiting for her dad to save her, and the guy is just chilling in a cell without a care in the world."

"Tristan is a total monster. That's your own flesh and blood, man!"

"I'm actually sick to my stomach. How did a guy like this ever get certified as an elite animal behaviorist? The board needs to yank his license immediately."

"Go save her already! Time is running out!"

The insults and accusations washed over me like a tidal wave.

Sylvia saw her opening and took it.

She dropped to her knees again, but she wasn't looking at me this time. She threw herself right in front of the news cameras that had just swarmed into the station lobby, sobbing directly into the lenses.

"Tristan, please…" she cried. "If you'll just go save Harper, I'll have Randall hand over the entire company to you. We'll walk away with absolutely nothing. Just please save her!"

She actually pulled out a pre-drafted share transfer agreement from her purse.

Randall's signature was already on the bottom line, and all I needed to do was nod in agreement.

It was a brilliant performance. She looked exactly like a desperate, self-sacrificing grandmother willing to give up everything for her granddaughter.

I looked at her through the glass and smiled.

While the whole room watched in stunned silence, I finally spoke.

"Sure."

Sylvia froze. She clearly hadn't expected me to cave so easily.

I curled a finger, beckoning her over. "Bring it here. Let me see."

She hesitated for a second, then slid the paperwork through the gap in the partition. I picked it up, flipped through the pages with mock interest, and nodded.

"Looks genuine enough."

A look of triumph flashed across Sylvia's face, and she pressed, "So… will you head over there now?"

I tossed the papers onto the table and leaned back in my chair.

"I said I'd look at it. I never said when I'd leave."

Sylvia's expression instantly stiffened. "You're toying with me!"

I closed my eyes and tuned her out completely.

Another half hour dragged by. Every passing second was agonizing for Harper, who was trapped in the enclosure, and it was doing a number on Randall, too.

Finally, he played his final card.

He marched up to the interrogation room window, staring at me as he uttered through gritted teeth, "Tristan, if you leave right now and get Harper out of that enclosure, I'll give you a 60% controlling stake in Sheffield Group."

Sheffield Group was a multi-billion-dollar corporate empire my father had built from nothing. 60% meant total, uncontested control of the company.

Soon after, the attorneys rushed into the station, carrying a thick stack of share transfer agreements.

I looked down at the documents, skimming the astronomical figures listed on the pages, and picked up a pen.

But right as the ink was about to hit the paper, a massive wave of cheering erupted from the television.

"She's out! The kid has been rescued!"

"Mr. Reeves did it! He actually did it!"

"The rescue was a success. She's safe now!"

I smiled. The fish had finally taken the bait.

This time, they had jumped headfirst into the trap I had carefully laid out for them.