Love Contract
Chapter 217 Mastermind ( Part Two)

It was late afternoon and Andy was in her apartment. Brimming with anxiety, she looked pale and haggard.

Frank's warning echoed in her mind, fear clutching at her heart.

'Should I just sit still and wait for William to put me behind the bars? Is that what I should be doing? No way! I should try to escape,' she thought and her eyes lit up.

Determined to free herself from this misery, she rushed to her bedroom. Taking out her suitcase, she tossed her clothes and other valuables into it. 'This will do,' she thought and let out a sigh. Dragging the suitcase, Andy hurried through the living room. As she thought she had gotten away from the trouble, a faint smile crept onto her face. As soon as she opened the door, her smile froze. "Miss Duan, where do you think you are going?" Archer asked, his eyes twinkling with humor.

He was accompanied by several men. She knew who he was; Archer Song.

But what was he doing here? Feigning indifference, she said, "Who are you? And why are you here?

"What if I am here to bring you an invitation, Miss? I am taking you to my place as a guest," Archer replied, a mischievous smile shone in his eyes. Turning to his men, he ordered, "Take her away!" "Yes, sir!"

Obligingly, two men moved forward. One caught her left arm and the other caught right. With a thud, the suitcase hit the floor.

"What are you doing? I could take actions against you! Don't you know it is illegal to break into someone's house without permission!" Andy struggled to free herself from their grasp.

"I am pretty sure nobody knows about the illegal act better than you," remarked Archer with a sarcastic smile. "Just gag her!" he ordered, turning to his men.

"Hey! Sto" Before she could speak, they had shut her mouth. She found herself in the most miserable state.

"I assumed replaceing her would be a difficult task. But this proved to be a piece of cake," Archer said, shaking his head. They checked every nook and cranny of her apartment, but couldn't replace anything they wanted. Having found no other evidence, they left the building.

In the police station, A City, William was sitting in the interrogation room.

His head was still wrapped in gauze but despite that he looked handsome and cold, as usual.

Carrying a cup of tea, a man entered the room. He bowed respectfully, placed the tea on the table and said, "I was shocked to learn that you had taken over your father's business so soon. I am hoping you will be kind to me because my future depends on your mercy."

"Of course, I will," William said, nodding his head.

"But today I will need your help," William added, indicating it was he who needed the man's help. The man waved his hand and said, "That's not an issue, Mr. Lan. You can use the interrogation room as long as you want.

"Thank you."

William was about to say something. Just then, they heard a few footsteps making their way to the room. Before long, Andy was escorted inside.

"Someone bring me a reliable recorder!" William ordered impatiently.

"Yes, sir." The man went outside to get one.

Archer came inside, let out a sigh and said, "If I had known it would be so simple, I wouldn't have gone by myself." "You have no one but yourself to blame. Who asked you to run so fast?" William said with a sneer. Having fetched a recorder, the man placed it on the table.

The bodyguards closed the door.

Nobody dared to speak and a dead silence ensued in the interrogation room. Andy flinched under their scrutiny. She curled up in her chair and looked at the two men in front of her.

"You..." Andy stammered. Her fear was evident. "Mr. Lan, why... Why did you bring me here?"

"I thought you knew the reason!" He flashed her a sneer.

"No. I... I have no idea," she managed to say. Feigning an innocent face, she looked at him.

"Ten days ago, my children were taken away on their way back home from school. We wanted to know if you had any hand in it," William replied flatly.

Andy frowned, disturbed by his words. Clearing her throat, she spoke. "I have no idea what you are saying. Could you please explain, Mr. Lan?"

"Then take a look at this," he said through gritted teeth. He pushed several photos towards her. They were her photos! She was seen near a Jeep wearing sunglasses. In one of the photos, she was approaching the warehouse in the western suburbs with a bunch of strong looking men. "Andy, you better tell us who is the mastermind behind this!" It was Archer who spoke this time. "If you confess, we will consider letting you go," he assured.

'He wants to know the name of the mastermind?' thought Andy. She couldn't confess. After all, her brother's life was at stake. She couldn't betray Frank.

"I don't know what you are talking about. I planned the kidnapping," Andy said. Even though she spoke confidently, her lips quivered.

William and Archer looked at each other, disbelief etched on their faces. Neither of them could believe her.

"But why would you do such a thing? What motive do you have for kidnapping my kids?" demanded William, his gaze bore into her eyes.

"I did it because I hate Mary Lu!" Andy's face twisted with rage. "I wanted to kidnap her but to my disappointment, she was not there.

I hate her for having everything." Her voice rose with agitation. She roared, "Everything goes smoothly with her. Why can't the same happen to me? We both are the same! Then why does she have more than me? Mr. Lan, tell me!"

She lurched forward and grabbed William's arm. "I also can give birth to your kids! She had the audacity to abandon you four years ago! Yet you seemed to love and miss her. Why is that, Mr. Lan? Have you forgotten how the two of us used to be before she came back? Please! I can give you everything and make you the happiest man!"

William's fury rose. He shook off Andy's hand and glanced at Archer. He turned to Andy again and said, "I allowed Mary to give birth to my babies because I love her. It is none of your fucking business! How dare you speak nonsense!

"Please don't be angry, Mr. Lan," Andy cried out. "Blinded by hatred, I kidnapped the children. I hope you can forgive me!"

"Your attitude has changed in the blink of an eye! " Archer sneered at her. "But we are sorry, it's too late now."

"I will give you another chance - tell me who is behind this?" William looked at her calmly.

"I already told you. I am the mastermind," she repeated. Tears burned her eyes and her lower lip trembled.

Andy's mind was in chaos, madness taking over her. She had no idea what she was doing.

"William Lan, what do you think you are doing? Don't you know it is illegal to interrogate a criminal in private!" she asked, replaceing her voice.

After a moment's pause, she continued, "I just kidnapped two children. I didn't harm them.

Let me go! I hate Mary Lu. She is responsible for everything. And you are a terrible person too. I hate you!" she screamed.

"All of you will suffer. Ha ha... I am the mastermind! I did it all!"

Watching the scene unravel before him, William waved his hand in annoyance. Turning to the bodyguards, he ordered, "Take her to the police. Charge her with kidnapping!"

Then he stood up and walked out.

Another ten days passed quickly.

Mary remained at the hospital with her kids. And so, she didn't have to face Barry. Every time she thought about him, she felt a pang of guilt. At the same time, she didn't know how she would start a conversation with him.

In the morning, a group of people walked out of the gate of Municipal People's Hospital.

As William walked out, holding his children in his arms, he had a smug look on his face. They were surrounded by a group of doctors, assistants, and bodyguards.

"Daddy looks like a handsome celebrity with so many people following him!" Elissa commented, leaning close to him.

"Ha ha..." William laughed heartily. His daughter had a way with words.

"Dad, have you recovered completely?" Alick asked, concern etched on his face. "Yes, I am completely fine now," he assured.

"Mr. Lan, please take care of yourself," the vice president of the hospital said, catching up with them. "Avoid touching water. Give it a few more days to heal completely."

"I will keep that in mind. Thank you, doctor." William nodded.

"Thank you, uncle!" Alick thanked the vice president.

"Thank you, uncle!" Worried about being outdone by her brother, Elissa couldn't help but repeat her brother's words.

"Ha ha, you both are so adorable! I have never seen such polite kids before!" the vice president said, smiling.

"Mary..." It suddenly occurred to William that she wasn't with them. He turned around but she was nowhere in sight. However, at the end of the crowd, he caught sight of her. She was standing beside a car, talking and laughing heartily to Barry.

William's eyes widened and darkened. 'When did Barry come here?' he couldn't help but wonder.

Candy GSmgB