The Apple of My Eye
Chapter 1034 Allen's Call

"Looks like my sister didn't tell you what I want." Allen's vicious laughter echoed through the phone. "I am not a greedy person. All I ask for is five million in cash and two new identity cards. And you need to send us abroad safely. Once my request is met, I will give my sister back to you."

"That's not gonna happen," Anthony refused outright. "Allen, do you know how many people are pursuing you? You can't leave Y City, let alone go abroad. I advise you to turn yourself in. Otherwise, you will just get yourself into bigger trouble..."

"Anthony..." Allen interrupted him before he could finish his sentence. "I called you to tell you what I want. I don't need you to tell me that I am in trouble."

You know what? I am going to hang up and have a good talk with my sister. This way, you will have time to reconsider my offer. What do you think?" "Please...don't hurt her," Anthony pleaded, his voice shaking ever so slightly. Hearing Allen's threat made him panic immediately. "Please listen to me," he complied. "I will try my best to fulfill your request." Upon hearing that Anthony would help him, Allen broke into a smile of relief. He snorted, "If you had simply decided this earlier, my sister wouldn't have had to suffer like this."

Trying not to imagine what Sue had gone through, Anthony closed his eyes. "I can give you the money," he negotiated, "But I can't get you two fake identity cards. I also won't be able to find a way to send you abroad. How about I give you six million and you release Sue?"

"Stop bargaining with me," Allen responded petulantly. He had no time for this. "Don't you forget that I am the boss now. You are not in a position to haggle with me."

'If I had knew earlier that kidnapping Sue would make Anthony submit to me, I would have done it earlier,' he thought.

Allen watched Sue struggle. She was sitting on a chair with her hands tied tightly behind her back. "My sister is carrying your child. I know you will find a way to help me," he said.

"You have two days. I will call you and if you've not done what I've asked, I don't know what I will do to Sue. Just remember that," Allen added coldly before ending the call.

The line went dead. "Hello? Allen?" Anthony cried out. Flustered, Anthony dialed the number back, hoping to speak with Allen again. The phone rang but no one picked it up. He was so furious that he almost threw his phone onto the ground.

"What did he say?" Sheryl asked nervously once Anthony had slightly calmed down. "How is Sue doing?"

Not knowing how to respond, Anthony simply shook his head slowly. He had no idea of Sue's physical condition, which made his heart ache. The one he loved was in danger and he couldn't do anything about it. 'I hate feeling so powerless,' he screamed in his head.

He started to understand how Charles felt back then when Sheryl had disappeared.

"What's going on? Stop shaking your head and say something," Sheryl urged with a worried look.

"He said..." He hesitated for a moment but went on, "He asked me to prepare the money and new identity cards for him and Peggy. He also asked me to send them abroad."

Frowning, Sheryl asked, "Did you agree to all of this?"

With a resigned smile, he replied, "I don't have much of a choice. They have Sue."

Sheryl rubbed her chin, trapped in her own thoughts. After contemplating for a while, she advised, "How about you buy us some time? I will go ask Andy for help. If we fail to find their whereabouts before the appointed time, you will have to wait for Allen to contact you."

Her eyebrows were wrinkled as she added, "Either way, you need to prepare for everything Allen and Peggy want. You can't push them too much, in case they hurt Sue."

"Yeah, I know," Anthony nodded in approval.

Intending to leave, Sheryl turned around and took a step forward towards her car. Anthony opened his mouth. "Sher..." he called out hesitantly.

"Yes, Anthony?" Sheryl asked in confusion.

"Thank you."

Stunned at his words, Sheryl replied, "Sue is my friend, Anthony. I don't want to see anything happen to her."

Wasting no time, Sheryl finally left. She was in a hurry to get to the Zhao family's house. Amy, Sheryl's grandma, had lived with Sue for some time. She had also heard about Sue's kidnapping and she was very worried about her.

At the sight of Sheryl coming through the front door, Amy dashed forward, stopping in front of her. "What's going on with Sue? Did they find her?" she asked with a worried look.

"No..." Sheryl grimaced and shook her head. "But one thing is for sure, it was Peggy and Allen who took her. She is safe for now," she explained.

"They are horrible people." With knitted brows, Amy continued berating, "Sue is their family and she is expecting a child. How could they do this to her?"

"Grandma..." Sheryl reached for her hand. In an effort to comfort her, she said calmly, "Cool down. Anthony and I will find a way to rescue Sue."

"Yes, yes, you're right. She will be okay," Amy responded with a bit of relief.

Sheryl walked around to look for Andy, Abby's husband. However, there was no sign of him anywhere. "Where is Andy, Grandma?" she asked, turning her head towards Amy.

The reason Sheryl had come here was to discuss and work out a plan with Andy to help Sue. But to her dismay, he wasn't home.

"He went out after receiving your call," Amy replied. Amy sighed, still upset over what was happening to Sue. As she collected herself, she added, "He said he would meet his friends and they would look for Sue together. Abby called him and he said that he would be back soon. How about you take a seat and wait for him?"

"That's a good idea," Sheryl agreed. Sheryl joined Amy on the couch, and the pair chatted with each other for a while until Andy arrived. When Sheryl saw him come through the door, she jumped from the couch and dashed towards him. "What's going on?" she asked forcefully, "Did you find any clues as to Sue's location? Is she okay?"

"Cool down," Andy replied slowly. Trying to calm down a very rattled Sheryl, he patted her shoulder gently. "Allen and Peggy are very good at staying under the radar, so it won't be easy to find them. But don't worry. I already asked my friends to search for them. I have faith that they will find out where they're hiding soon."

Seeing how frustrated Sheryl was, he continued, "I will let you know the moment I find out where they're hiding."

Disappointed with Andy's negative reply, Sheryl sighed. She knew that it would take time for Andy's friends to find Sue, so she just needed to be patient.

She flashed Andy a faint smile and replied, "Got it. Thank you."