I ended the call and turned toward the study—only to be interrupted by another call, this one even more urgent.
"Denise, help!"
The voice on the other end trembled—it was my biological mother, Vivian.
"Mom? What happened?" My heart skipped a beat as I gripped the phone tightly.
"Your mother owes five million in gambling debts," a man's rough voice interrupted. "Bring the money if you want her alive! And listen carefully—come alone. If you call the cops, I'll send her straight to hell!"
The line went dead.
I didn't have time to think. I immediately sent someone to prepare the cash.
Even though I hadn't grown up with the Holmes—and I knew they only brought me back for their own gain—blood was still blood. I couldn't just stand by.
No matter what she'd done, she was still my mother. Saving her was the least I could do to repay the life she'd given me.
When the money was ready, I drove to the location the kidnappers had given me. It was an unfinished building on the outskirts of town.
By the time I reached the top floor, I was out of breath—clutching the heavy bag of cash and the weight of my pregnancy.