The Manipulated Villainess

"I tracked Aston's location," Nathan said to Nicole through a phone call. "It's an abandoned building, around two hours drive from the city."

"Do you think he's abducted by Lester Yun?" Nicole anxiously asked. She was in her study, repeatedly walking back and forth before her desk.

"That's the most possible," Nathan said. "Don't worry too much, Chairwoman Yang. I already deployed my men and I will also leave right away." Nathan just entered his car and left for his friend's location.

"It will be hard but please stay in your house under the protection of your guards. As long as you are safe, Aston will be fine. Don't give them the chance to threaten him by using you." Nathan added.

Though Nicole was overwhelmed with anxiety, she knew that Nathan had a point. Aston's safety should be the top priority now. "I understand. Please inform me if you get any news about him."

"Alright. Don't worry. I will bring him back no matter what." Nathan firmly said and ended the call.

Putting down her phone, Nicole pressed both her palms against her desk. Then her hands curled into a fist! If something happened to Aston, she wouldn't spare the one who hurt him no matter what! Standing straight, she stood still for a while before she walked out of her study and went downstairs where Edwin was on duty.

"Chairwoman, did something happened? You look so pale." Edwin promptly said, making his way to her.

"Aston is missing. It's been more than two hours." Nicole uttered.

Edwin's stupefied face was quickly replaced by rage. "It's Lester Yun!" He growled in anger.

"Nathan locates him and he set out with his men. He will inform us if anything happens." Nicole said to Edwin.

"Nathan?" Edwin raised a brow. "Nathan Woo, the Boss of the Reyons?" He gasped.

Nicole nodded her head and there was a hint of relief on Edwin Zo's face. "That's great. The Reyon Boss is reliable." He remarked and glanced at Nicole. "Don't worry, Chairwoman. He will be fine."

"I hope so," Nicole muttered and glanced at her study. "Edwin, Aston told me that you're very skilled in using weapons and combat." She said, still turning her head to her study.

Edwin nodded. "You can say that."

Nicole finally shifted her gaze to her guard. "Will you teach me?"

Edwin Zo blinked in surprised as he didn't expect this. "Do you mean it?"

Nicole instantly nodded. "Aston said that he will teach me once I move to a new house. However, we were both busy and I suffered a head injury. But I'm fine now. We tried to wait till he finished his current project but... I don't think I can wait anymore."

Edwin understood why she wished to learn. So, he had no reason to hesitate. "Alright. What would you like to learn first?" He asked right away.

"Teach me how to use guns," Nicole responded. Turning back to her study where the entrance to the secret room was located, she tightly clenched her fist. She wouldn't sit still anymore as she had reached her limits! 

* * *

Aston was surprised when the door was suddenly opened and two men walked inside. They made their way to him and released the chains that bound him. However, they tied both his hands to the back.

He simply complied though he had the chance to attack them and break free. The knife that Aria gave him was still on the back of his waist. He had no plan to use it unless he had no other choice.

Grabbing him on both of his arms, they brought him out of the room and he saw Lester Yun outside. "What are you doing?" He asked. His stare was icy and cold yet Lester Yun simply laughed.

"We are only moving to somewhere else. Don't worry, Aston Kang. I won't do anything to you that soon." Lester Yun said. He still wore the smile that always made him resembled a psychopath.

His watch was still with him and Aston wasn't worried because of that. If things went out of hand, he will just use the knife that Aria gave him. It would be his last resort because if they learned that he had a knife, they would only suspect Aria as she was the only one who came to see him apart from Lester Yun. He didn't want his sister to be in danger.

Lester's men put him inside the car and they left the old building.

* * *

"They are moving," Nathan uttered, glancing at his phone. He wondered if Lester Yun suspects something. Was it why they were suddenly leaving the building? 

"Inform our men that the location changed. Aston is coming towards the city. Tell them to wait somewhere unnoticeable. No matter who he is with, we shouldn't lose him." He ordered Kyler who was sitting on the front seat of the car.

"Got it," Kyler responded and relayed the order to their men who were ahead of them.

Nathan narrowed his eyes at his phone and observed it for a while. The Aston Kang he knew would have no problem escaping while they took him out of the building yet it seemed like he was still with the enemies. Why did he have a feeling that Aston stayed there willingly?! Was that even possible?

However, he brushed off the thought and concluded that he wasn't in a position to sneak out. Maybe the enemies outnumbered him to a great extent. Maybe... he was severely injured! Just the thought of it made the Reyon Boss clenched his fist in anger!

* * *

Aston was riding the car for a while now. He quietly sat on the backseat and often stared out of the window. He could tell that he wasn't far from the city now. Where were they planning to take him?! He thought of many possibilities yet Peter Jung didn't even cross his mind! Suddenly, the car stopped, making him leaned forward with quite a force. He quickly turned to the front, trying to know what happened.

Was it Nathan? He wasn't sure. However, he could see some of Lester's men getting off the car. When he got a glimpse of the men from the opposing side, he finally confirmed that they were Nathan's men. He inwardly sighed in relief.

Lester Yun who was in the car behind gets off and came to him. "What trick do you play again, Aston Kang?" He howled through the car window. Before Aston could say anything, Lester Yun opened the car door and pulled him out.

By this time, Nathan Woo already gets off his car. His eyes swept around Lester's men, searching for his friend. His expression darkened and the always patient gang Boss was at the edge of his patience now! When he saw Lester Yun, his expression was like a lion spotting his prey! He quickly walked forward and stood in front of all his men. Seeing Aston in Lester's hands, his eyes turned icy!

"It's you, Nathan Woo. I can see that you still care for your friend a lot. You came to his rescue this fast." Lester Yun spatted, smirking at the Reyon Boss.

"Let Aston go, Lester Yun." Glancing at the knife which was pointed at Aston's throat, Nathan said, "If you hurt him, you will have to pay for it with your life." His tone was enough for everyone to know that it was a warning.

Lester Yun had already known Nathan for years. The latter was always calm but once provoked, he could be your worst nightmare! If he indeed crossed him, Lester Yun knew that Nathan wouldn't hesitate to kill him! It wasn't an empty threat. However, with Aston Kang as a hostage, he believed that he would be able to leave unscathed though Nathan's men outnumbered his men. 

"If you make a move, your friend will surely die. Though I want him back, I won't hesitate to end him if needed." Lester Yun said to Nathan in a loud voice. He pressed the knife closer to Aston's throat which made the actor slightly bleed. At his words, his men take out their handguns and pointed at Nathan's men while the Reyon members did the same!

Observing the condition, Aston knew that he could break free from Lester Yun's grip but... that might cause Nathan and Lester's men to fire at each other. He didn't care about Lester or his men but he didn't want Nathan's men to get hurt because of him! 

"Withdraw, Nathan Woo! If not, I will kill your friend!" Lester Yun shouted.

Nathan glanced at his friend for a while, trying to understand what his intention was. However, he couldn't get anything. He should just break free! Why bother standing there while he could easily do that?!

Then an idea crossed Aston's mind. He eyed Lester Yun's hand which was on his throat and then shifted his gaze back to Nathan. He repeated the action once more and Nathan got his message. If Aston could break free and hold Lester Yun hostage instead, everything will be solved but... he will have to move very fast for the plan to succeed.

Having no other choice, Aston glanced at Nathan one last time and tried to make a move until... the continuous sound of gunshots was suddenly heard from behind.....