Chapter 278 "I promise you!"

Chapter 278 "I promise you!"

Lisa's heart quickened as a profound sense of déjà vu washed over her. Zhang Wei's face bore an uncanny resemblance to the one he wore that very morning when they had struck a significant deal.

With a perplexed look, Zhang Wei queried, "Why would the country bother to help?"

Suddenly, Zhao Hongyan's eyes widened in a moment of revelation.

"Of course," she murmured, her voice trembling with realization.

"Why indeed," Lisa wondered aloud, gazing at Zhang Wei.

Zhang Wei had the power to assist her, but why would he? He held no obligation to her and had already rescued Song Shoushan once before.

A sly smile remained on Zhang Wei's face; he was not one to lend a hand without some benefit in return, particularly with pragmatic individuals like Zhao Hongyan. He knew that seizing the right moment was the key.

Taking a deep breath, Zhao Hongyan declared, "I promise you!"

Zhang Wei, feigning ignorance, inquired, "Promise what?" nove/lb/In

Zhao Hongyan responded firmly, "If you manage to rescue Song Shoushan, I promise to grant you any request you have."

Zhao Hongyan couldn't determine if Zhang Wei's intentions lay in her physical body or her business, but that was inconsequential for now.

Zhang Wei finally dropped the facade, his laughter ringing through the room as he shook his head. "Your wager is quite daring. What made you believe I hadn't planned all of this from the very beginning?" he retorted, his eyes twinkling with amusement.

Zhao Hongyan, despite her earlier bravado, couldn't help but feel a pang of doubt.

Despite the doubt etched on her face, Zhang Wei leaned in, his boldness taking her by surprise. In one swift motion, his hands reached out and firmly grasped her supple butt, his fingers skillfully massaging it. The shock of his audacity rippled through her, rendering her speechless.

"Ask your daughter yourself once she comes back," he taunted, a smirk playing on his lips. "And if I wanted to deceive you, I certainly wouldn't resort to such a half-hearted plan." His laughter broke the tense atmosphere before he nonchalantly spun around, leaving her utterly astonished in his wake.

"As soon as the police arrive, coordinate with them," Zhang Wei's voice echoed in her ear, its timbre filled with determination. "I will embark on a solo mission to find Song Shoushan."

His command lingered in the air, leaving Zhang Wei's words to dance like haunting echoes. Zhao Hongyan stood rooted to the spot, her surprise evident through every fiber of her being.

Finally, after a minute of tense silence, Zhao Hongyan's face contorted into a grim expression. She let out a deep, resigned sigh, fully aware that her only option was to wait for the police to arrive and follow Zhang Wei's lead.

For Zhang Wei, this was yet another opportunity to exploit. He knew it and reveled in it, his cunning smile lurking beneath his confident demeanor.

As the moments ticked by, Zhao Hongyan couldn't help but wonder what she could do in this situation. The world of deceit and manipulation in which they found themselves had left her with limited options.

Meanwhile, Zhang Wei had resumed his seat in the car with Lisa. Instead of the expected urgency to rescue Song Shoushan, he was engrossed in his phone, engrossed in the novel "Deviant: No Longer Human." His calm reading rather than panicked actions caught Lisa's attention.

Curiosity got the better of her, and she discreetly glanced at the content on his screen, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment. "What nonsense are you reading?" she scolded, attempting to conceal her own blush.

Zhang Wei chuckled at her reaction. "Drive to this address," he said, nonchalantly providing a destination: "The Royal Art Academy."

Lisa, although perplexed by his behavior, sighed and complied, driving toward the specified location.

As the car sped down the streets, Zhang Wei broke the silence with a calm tone, "You're probably wondering why I appear to be wasting time reading a novel instead of actively searching for her daughter."

In the midst of an uneasy silence, Lisa nodded, her hesitation evident in the furrow of her brow.

Lisa couldn't forget the unsettling truths she'd uncovered about Zhang Wei, especially considering he was not only her employer but also a master manipulator who could easily turn the tables on her.

Zhang Wei maintained his strange smile, breaking the silence with a seemingly casual remark, "We have some time to spare until we reach our destination, Lisa. You should learn to make the most of your time. You won't make a top-notch secretary if you don't seize opportunities." His words held an undercurrent of meaning, leaving Lisa to ponder what was truly on his mind.

Lisa's expression turned blank, realization dawning that Zhang Wei's nonchalance about Song Shoushan's kidnapping was intentional.

It became clear that he had ulterior motives at play, and Song Shoushan was not his priority.

For Zhang Wei, this mission was primarily about Zhao Hongyan, and he wasn't about to let any hint of concern for Song Shoushan betray his true objectives. After all, panicking would serve no purpose in the grander scheme of his intricate plans.

Conveniently, Xie Meirong's villa was located in close proximity to the Royal Art Academy. It was here that Zhang Wei decided to begin their search, suspecting that Xie Meirong might hold crucial information about Song Shoushan's whereabouts.

While the possibility of both women being kidnapped crossed his mind, he swiftly dismissed it; he knew that Xie Meirong was someone who could protect herself against most threats.

Zhang Wei was convinced that with Xie Meirong's considerable strength, neither Song Shoushan nor Xie Meirong could have been kidnapped. His logical deduction led him to a crucial realization – Song Shoushan must have been taken after their last encounter. He needed to find out her exact location at that time.

Yet, there lingered an unsettling possibility – could Xie Meirong have played a role in Song Shoushan's disappearance? It was a perplexing thought, and Zhang Wei couldn't fathom her motive.

Zhang Wei, despite his outward nonchalance, approached the case with caution. Xie Meirong remained an enigmatic figure, and nothing could be taken for granted.

When Lisa and Zhang Wei arrived in front of Xie Meirong's villa, their astonishment was evident. Lisa couldn't help but mutter in horror, "What... is this place?" The sight of the villa felt like a scene out of a horror movie. The imposing black metal gates creaked ominously as they swung open, and the villa itself appeared to have weathered at least a century, complete with cobwebs and an eerie, abandoned air.

"Why would anyone live here?" Lisa wondered aloud, her voice carrying a hint of fear. She stayed close behind Zhang Wei as he rang the bell, only to realize that it wasn't functional.

Zhang Wei, undeterred, decided to knock loudly on the massive, weathered wooden door, echoing through the eerie stillness of the place.