Alle Kapitel von No Longer Theirs: The One They Can't Replace: Kapitel 261 – Kapitel 270

Ezekiel stood with his back to Winter. His alluring eyes were like a bottomless abyss."Where is he?""Your guess turned out to be correct," George replied. "That bastard can't seem to change his ways. After hiding for days, he's appeared in Antalas again."Ezekiel tilted his head, loosening his shoulders and neck. "You didn't let them lay a hand on him, did you?"George replied quietly, "Without your orders, they wouldn't dare. Tom has only been under surveillance."Winter hugged her jacket closer, her eyes fixed on Ezekiel's tall, upright figure.With broad shoulders and a trim waist, he embodied the ideal golden ratio. Beneath his black trousers, his long legs were strong and muscular. Every part of him was flawless.Winter lowered her lashes. After breaking free from her disastrous marriage, she realized the world didn't revolve around Joshua—it was a garden in full bloom.She had once given up everything for love. After building a cage around herself, she had convinced her

"Yes." Joshua's eyes darkened, his voice thick with unspoken tension. "The police have located the vehicle and the tools involved in the crime in a forested area near the highway. They've also confirmed the kidnapper's identity."Jessica's heart raced in her chest. She gripped the bedsheet tightly."But unfortunately, neither the kidnapper nor Winter has been found yet.""Josh… do you think Winter is still alive?" Jessica's nerves eased, a look of sorrow settling over her face."It's not that I don't pray for Winter's safety… but after all this time, there's still no sign of her anywhere. If the kidnapper planned to demand a ransom, he would have done so by now. With such long silence, could it be that Winter has already—""She's still alive!" Joshua snapped, his voice cold and unyielding. He couldn't stand to hear such pessimism."The kidnapper wasn't after Winter—he was after me. His goal was either revenge or extortion. Otherwise, taking Winter would have been entirely meaning

Night spread without end over Antalas, a city drowned in neon excess and unchecked desire.In the basement of an abandoned mansion no one knew about, Tom came to with a lump the size of a bowl on his head.He looked around, and what greeted him was only darkness, moisture clinging to the air, rot and decay seeping from the walls, and an overwhelming sense of hopelessness.It was exactly like that night—the place where Winter had been held."W-Who did this? Who kidnapped me?"A chill crawled up Tom's spine. He curled into himself like a frightened cat, trembling in the corner. "S-Sir… come out. Let's talk, okay? I know I owe a lot in gambling debts, but don't worry!"I'll have the money soon, I swear! As soon as the cash comes in on my end, I'll pay you back double! I swear on my life! Sir, please. Have mercy. Just give me two more days!"Two days ago, while anxiously waiting for the ransom to arrive, Tom had received a message from the man he had hired.That man said Joshua and

The mastermind might not be a serious threat, but he was still a problem."You want to live? Fine. I'll give you a way out. Turn yourself in," Ezekiel said flatly.Tom's face was drained of all color. He hesitated."Rot in prison, or die by my hand. Choose."Staring at the man who looked like the embodiment of death itself, Tom clenched his teeth and nodded.After all, it was better to live in disgrace than die there and then. Turning himself in could mean leniency. Once inside, he could dodge the loan sharks. When he got out, he could start over again.The next second, another scream ripped through the basement.The doors flew open. Ezekiel stepped out, his handsome face dark and cold. The watch clenched against his knuckles was slick with blood, still dripping.George hurried forward. "How did it go, Mr. Fulton?""Someone instructed him."George's expression changed instantly. "Who?""We need to investigate. So we're not going back to Jeston yet." Ezekiel handed the bloods

Ezekiel closed his eyes, pressing his fingers to his brow."We've tapped every contact in Antalas and used all available manpower. Still, we have nothing on the masked man. If we dig deeper, we risk alerting the authorities, and that could be disastrous.""He's not from Antalas." Ezekiel's eyes snapped open, a cold light flickering within them. "Tom mentioned it. That man spoke with a perfect Jeston accent. He's from Jeston. Most likely, he went there specifically for Tom."George's eyes widened, then he slammed a hand hard against his palm in frustration. "Too bad Tom couldn't recall even one detail about that man's face!""But he did take note of some details. The man is fastidious, with neatly trimmed fingers, and calluses on his thumb and ring finger joints." Ezekiel smirked.George groaned. "Unbelievable! He forgets the face, but remembers calluses? Is he obsessed with hands or something?""It's because Tom's eyes were on the man's hands as he counted the bills. That's why t