Trading My Ex for His Uncle

Nyla clutched her phone, her eyes wide with disbelief and confusion.

How could Mason have been taken by Gabriel?

Wait...

She quickly dialed the villa's phone number, gripping her phone so tightly that her knuckles turned white.

Buddy...

The call rang and rang until it disconnected automatically. No one answered. Her heart sank.

Frantically, she dialed Lydia's number next. Still, no answer.

Suddenly, her mind flashed to the maid who had brought her orange juice earlier.

That maid... she looked so unfamiliar. Nyla had felt a flicker of suspicion at the time, but Damon's call had interrupted her thoughts, and she'd let it go.

Her face turned pale as realization dawned.

If only she had been more alert could Mason have avoided this danger?

"Nyla! Nyla!"

A firm hand grabbed her shoulder, shaking her back to reality.

She looked up to see Damon's anxious face, and tears instantly welled in her eyes. "Damon... Buddy... Did Gabriel really take him? Tell me you're joking. You're lying, aren't you?"

Damon's expression was as grim as hers. "I wish I were. The villa staff reported that Buddy was taken shortly after you left."

"It's my fault... It's all my fault," Nyla cried. "If I'd been more careful earlier— noticed that something was off about that maid—this wouldn't have happened."

The thought of Mason being taken while she was on her way to Prospectus Technology made her chest tighten with unbearable pain.

Damon pulled her into his arms. "Nyla, this isn't your fault. Gabriel planned to kidnap both you and Inoveldrama

Buddy. If I hadn't asked you taking

me that file, you would've been taken as well."

"I'd rather it were both of us. Buddy is only five years old... He must be so scared right now..." Nyla sobbed uncontrollably, tears streaming down her face as her emotions spiraled out of control.

Breaking free from Damon's arms, she turned toward the door. "I'm going to find

Buddy. I can't just sit here I have to do something, or I'll go crazy!"

Damon stepped in front of her, blocking her path. "Nyla, calm down! Right now, the best thing we can do is wait for news. As soon as my team gets a lead, we'll go get Buddy. Trust me, alright?"

Nyla's face was ashen. "How can we trust Gabriel to give Buddy back to us?

Wait... I have his phone number. I'll call him right now..."

She pulled out her phone and dialed Gabriel's number.

After a few rings, the call connected.

"Nyla, I've been waiting for your call." Gabriel's voice came through, smooth and unhurried.

"Gabriel! Where did you take Buddy? Give him back to me!" Nyla shouted, her voice trembling with desperation.

Gabriel chuckled. "Don't worry, Nyla. Buddy is fine. But if you were here with me, it would be even better."

He had initially planned to kidnap both Nyla and Mason, but her unexpected departure had disrupted his plan, leaving him with only half his goal achieved.

Still, it didn't matter. The bigger picture remained intact.

As long as he had Mason, Nyla would come to him.