Ch. 1731..1740

The Girlboss Begs For Remarriage Chapter 1731-"Hey! Don't you see that there are customers here, and you're still chatting instead of greeting them?!"

As Gina pounded the front desk forcefully, the waitresses who were busy exchanging the bombshell looked up. However, they shot Gina's looks of annoyance in turn, clearly not interested. "So you want a room? Is that it?" "You brat! Is this how you treat your customers?! Where's your manager?! Bring him here!"

Gina was at once furious.

She was now the mother of Lanecorp's board chairwoman, but some brat working at a karaoke box was giving her an attitude?!

Seeing Gina yelling and drawing attention, Helen frowned and strode up, taking her arm and snapping under her breath, "Mom, we're here for Uncle Gavin, and not here to play. Could you not draw so much attention?"

"Hmph."

Gina snorted coolly.

Although she agreed with her daughter, she still pursed her lips unhappily. "You can tell right away that the kidnapper isn't someone important, picking a shitty place like this for the exchange. Just being here really cheapens us."

"What was that?!"

One of the waitresses was at once upset, slamming her hand on the table and snapping, "If you don't like it here, then you can leave! We could really do without guests like you, insulting us as soon as you come in! Who do you think you are?!"

"Did you just raise your voice at me?!" Gina shrieked, pointing at that sharp-tongued waitress. "You shameless brat, speaking to me in such a manner! Don't you know who an you test me, this shitty karaoke box will close down tomorrow!" The waitress snorted. "Go on, do it if you can! Stupid hag, trying to act all important!"

"That's enough! All of you, stop!"

Helen strode up, snapping coldly before wheeling on Gina. "Do you really have to make everything difficult for your daughter?" "But…"

Gina frowned. "Don't you get it? We're not people who have to suffer through some waitresses' attitude in a place like this! Just look at them, they have no manners at all-"

The waitresses heard that and scoffed in turn. "Right, right! Because you have plenty of manners!"

"Stop!"

Helen strode up to Gina's face right then, frowning as she snapped, "You never change, Mom! You're always belittling others and sucking up to bigwigs! How does that make us different from those waitresses?"

"Just look at Frank-has he ever used his importance to bully others? Be it homeless folk or paperboys, he would treat them all as equals. Why don't you learn from him instead of being so vain?"

"Bah!" Gina spat coldly right then. "You're still mentioning him?! Don't you know why we're here in the first place?! If Frank had handed over that stupid herb from the start, would I be here, suffering through that brat's insults?!" "Exactly."

Huub's eyes flashed coldly as Helen was still mentioning Frank, and he came over, reaching out to hold her mother waist as he chuckled. "Your force is right. We all had to come in. because your ex-husband couldn't give up a simple herb."

The Girlboss Begs For Remarriage Chapter 1732-Huub continued, "Judging from that alone, your ex-husband isn't being fair-he just doesn't have standards."

Then, turning to smile at Gina, he continued, "Your mother is the mother of a CEO. She naturally shouldn't be treated as an equal with these plain Janes. In fact, you should always be aware too, Helen-don't stoop to the level of these pissants, or you'd cheapen yourself."

And with a gentle wave, one of his goons strode up, grabbed the waitress, and slapped her twice.

Helen winced as she watched, at once feeling indescribable guilt.

At the same time, Huub's goon pushed the waitress down on the floor. "Get down on your knees and apologize!"

"I'm… sorry…" The waitress' cheek was covered in blood, but she was trembling as she knelt before Gina and apologized humbly.

Gina did not appear uncomfortable at all, even grinning gleefully. "See, Helen? Mr. Droitner has class. Frank? Hmph…"

She did not elaborate, but she was clearly relishing in catharsis as Huub's goon punished the waitress.

"Hey, what's going on here? What happened?"

A greasy-haired man stepped out from his office just then. He immediately saw the mess around the front desk, especially his waitress' face covered in blood as she knelt beside a guest.

Gina promptly complained to him. "Hmph. The staff in your little karaoke box have zero manners, insulting me as soon as I stepped through the front door."

The karaoke box manager did a double take but quickly apologized when he saw the way everyone was dressed.

He even strode up and kicked the waitress a few times. "Stupid girl! Snapping at the customers?! You're fired once you're done for the day!"

As the girl eventually trembled and stood up, the other waitresses looked on in fear and left to do their own tasks while the karaoke box manager looked on furiously to "You should be honored that we're here," Gina continued haughtily.

"Yes, yes, of course." The karaoke box manager rubbed his hands, smiling fawningly.

Nodding in approval, Gina said, "Good. I will let this slide, then. Now give us Room 10."

"Wonderful!"

The karaoke box manager smiled and nodded before wheeling on the waitress whom he fired and snapping, "What are you waiting for?"

"Sir…"

The waitress was wiping blood and tears off her face, but she spoke- quietly nheless. "Room 10as already taken, and the ne are there right now. We…" "Taken?!"

The karaoke box manager felt the air leaving his lungs but soon remembered that the bumpkin father and son who took Room 10.

Bumpkin or farmer notwithstanding, any paying customer was a customer in the manager's eyes.

Looking up and rubbing his hands, e he smiled at Helen and the others. "Excuse me, esteemed guests… As you've heard, Room 10 has been taken. Why don't you pick another room number? Rest assured that the interior of every room here is furnished identically, so there's really no difference."

The Girlboss Begs For Remarriage Chapter 1733-"Absolutely not!"

Gina strode up, snapping unreasonably, "This is a major transaction we're talking about. We're meeting someone there, and it must be Room 10! If you mess this up for us, you will see that even ten karaoke boxes would not be able to cover the loss!"

The karaoke box manager did a double take.

A major transaction on their premises?

But what transaction would have to be carried out in a sordid place like this?!

Still, while the karaoke box manager was confused, he was still a seasoned veteran who would not get flustered over the little things.

Smiling, he suggested, "In that case, allow me to discuss this matter with the customer in Room 10. Let's see if they're willing to let you have the room."

"Good. Go!" Gina snapped, waving him off and leaving Helen exasperated.

Soon, the karaoke box manager was knocking and entering Room 10. "Excuse me…sirs?"

Frank's heart skipped a beat when he saw that it was the karaoke box manager who entered this time, reclining against the couch as he asked, "Yes? Is something the matter?"

The karaoke box manager nodded. "Well, see, there's a bunch of customers who have just arrived, saying they want this room for a transaction. Would it be alright if I switched you to another room? I'll add a fruit platter on the house as a way of apology."

Frank knew right away from the mention of the transaction that Helen had arrived, though he was surprised that the room they took was also the room where the exchange would take place.

Still, this gave him an opportunity.

Nodding, he glanced between Scarface and Madfist and said, "You two will go to another room while I'll watch the situation develop. Try to pick a room close to the rear exit to stop our target from bailing."

"Got it."

Scarface and Madfist nodded and left with the karaoke box manager.

On the other hand, Frank doubled back, avoiding the cameras as he sneaked back inside Room 10, hiding in the closet standing at a corner.

To prevent surprises, he broke the lock mechanism from the inside so that the closet could not be opened from the outside and no one would spot him.

Soon, there was some noise as the karaoke box manager led Gina and the others in the room.

Seeing Gina frowning at the mess of used drinking glasses and half-eaten bowls of snacks left in the room, the karaoke box manager quickly sent for cleaners to clear out the mess. to After all the commotion and everyone sat on the couch, Frank's eyes flashed coldly as he spied Huub's back through the slit between the closet doors. "What's he doing here?' to He still had a bone to pick with that man, and his presence here was the perfect opportunity for Frank.

Nheless, as everyone settled down, Gina-who really did not want to stay there—urged Helen, "Go on, call that kidnapper now."

"Yeah." Helen's expression was somber as she held her phone.

She stood before the short glass table, and Frank noticed the wooden box sitting quietly before her legs-the one that Trevor had told him about. "Is there really a Bloodcrane Spiritbloom inside?"

He frowned and inhaled deeply.

There was no aroma resembling the Bloodcrane Spiritbloom, however.

There was either no Bloodcrane Spiritbloom inside at all, or the box could contain the scent of the Bloodcrane Spiritbloom-just like the one Frank had.

The Girlboss Begs For Remarriage Chapter 1734-There was either no Bloodcrane Spiritbloom inside at all, or the box could contain the scent of the Bloodcrane Spiritbloom-just like the one Frank had.

"Hello? We're here."

Soon, Helen's call was answered, and an obscure woman's voice spoke from the other end.

Since Helen had put the call on loudspeaker, Frank could hear clearly enough to tell right away that it was none other than Horey Lindt.

"I'm watching the cameras," she said right away. "Frank Lawrence isn't here, is he?"

"Frank?"

Helen appeared shocked and frowned as she glanced at Huub and her mother. "Why would you care about Frank? Isn't the Bloodcrane Spiritbloom what you came for?"

"Heh. Well, he has the Bloodcrane Spiritbloom, so if he's not here, then it's not with you!"

"Hah!"

Hearing how skeptical Horey was, Huub snatched Helen's phone right then and snapped coolly, "Listen closely! I am Huub Droitner, heir to Droitner Inc.! That so-called Bloodcrane Spiritbloom?! I have it too! And I'm now demanding that you free your hostage!"

A long silence ensued over the phone before Horey suddenly burst out in laughter of disdain. "Pfft… Huub Droitner, you say? Who do you think you are?! And you think some tiny company like yours could hold on to a Bloodcrane Spiritbloom? You'd be dead before you know it!" to Huub was left flushed by the kidnapper's diss but persisted nheless. "It's a family heirloom kept well hidden for years! I wouldn't be taking it out if not for Helen!"NôvelD(ram)a.ôrg owns this content.

Hearing that, Gina clapped Helen on ne the shoulder repeatedly while looking at Huub in admiration. "Just look at Mr. Droitner, Helen! He doesn't even flinch when he has to give up a family heirloom for your sake… he has such a big heart! Why hesitate when he's already gone this far for you?" "The way I see it, you should forget about Frank already! Did you see the look on his face when we begged him for the same thing? He just says no to our faces, even if it's Gavin, who has helped you so much. He wouldn't mind watching Gavin being kidnapped and tortured just to hold on to his herb. "See? Now, Mr. Droitner is even helping you negotiate the release of your uncle! Where's Frank now? Forget coming to help-he's not even calling you! An ingrate to the last! Why would you want anything to do with a man like him?!"

Gina's endless rambling left Helen scowling and shaking her head. "Stop meddling, Mom. That's my business."

"I'm just worried about you."

Gina sighed. "How long have you been with Frank? He couldn't even give up an herb, while Mr. Droitner did it with no hesitation! Don't you think that's worrying?!"

And while Helen and Gina were busy talking, Horey became hesitant over the phone. "Did you really bring a Bloodcrane Spiritbloom?"

"Of course," Huub said confidently, tapping on the box in front of Helen. "You're watching from the cameras, aren't you? Then you can see this box- it's a family heirloom that can keep anything sealed inside. The Bloodcrane Spiritbloom you want is right inside."

Horey was left silent for a long while before she eventually said, "Leave the box in the room, and all of you must leave the building. I'll release the hostage later."

The Girlboss Begs For Remarriage Chapter 1735-"Absolutely not!"

Huub protested as he caught on. "What if you renege on our deal after we give you our treasure and refuse to free your hostage? We'd just be taken for suckers!"

"My fight is not with you. I only want the Bloodcrane Spiritbloom!"

The voice on the other end snapped impatiently, "At worst, the only person I have a bone to pick with is Frank Lawrence! None of you are my concern, and I won't hurt the hostage if your Bloodcrane Spiritbloom is real as you assured me! He will be freed!"

Still, she soon paused and giggled coolly. "And you're in no place to demand anything from me."

Huub's expression turned cold at the kidnapper's demands, but she hung up before he could say another word.

He returned the phone to Helen and slammed his fist on the table.

"Damn it!" he bellowed before turning to Helen. "What do we do now? Are we just going to give up the Bloodcrane Spiritbloom? What if she suddenly changes her mind?"

"We have no choice now."

Helen sighed lengthily, lowering her head as she pondered. "And judging from what she said, all she wants is the Bloodcrane Spiritbloom, so she would probably stop once she gets it?"

Gina quickly said, "Don't worry, Mr. Droitner. Helen will always remember your grace and properly compensate you since the Bloodcrane Spiritbloom is so valuable."

"I'm not worried about the money."

Huub shrugged, showing his generosity.

"I'm just worried that the kidnapper wouldn't stick to our agreement. But since Helen thinks we should go along, I won't argue.' Helen stood up and bowed at Huub. "Thank you. You've really done my family a huge favor-once my uncle is freed, we will come to thank you personally."

Huub smiled and nodded. "It's nothing, Helen. And since we've decided, let's…"

"Yeah. Let's go."

With that, everyone agreed to follow the kidnapper's instructions, and the rowdy room was soon empty.

Creak…

Frank emerged from the closet, keeping his distance so that the cameras could not catch him as he moved to the table.

After all, he was really curious-was there really a Bloodcrane Spiritbloom in that box?

е He waited for five minutes to ensure that Horey would see that there was not anyone in the room and would come to get the Bloodcrane Spiritbloom. With that, he walked up to the table and opened the box, revealing the red flower inside with a crane-shaped stigma.

It looked very much natural, but Frank scowled as soon as he saw it because there was no Bloodcrane Spiritbloom.

Forget someone who had seen the Bloodcrane Spiritbloom like Frank himself even Horey would be able to tell that it was a fake, thanks to her knowledge in medicine. "Hmph. You sure have balls, Huub Droitner!"

Frank glowered as he closed the box and put it back where it was, and he dodged the cameras again as he returned to the closet.

He would wait there until Horey came and took the fake Bloodcrane Spiritbloom, and at that point, Frank would subdue her on the spot. After around ten minutes, the rush of footsteps could be heard outside.

Frank patiently held his breath, hiding his presence entirely.

He would wait until Horey was caught by surprise when she found out the Bloodcrane Spiritbloom fake and seize her white she was distracted. After all, Horey would be on her toes right now.

Creak…

A figure opened the door of Room 10 just then and headed straight for the wooden box on the table without hesitation.

Frank remained hidden in the closet, leaning forward to listen closely.

The Girlboss Begs For Remarriage Chapter 1736-Click.

In the same instant Frank heard the wooden box being opened, he leapt out of the closet straight toward 'Horey Lindt', catching her and pinning her on the floor.

"Don't move!" he snapped.

"Ahh!" The woman shrieked underneath Frank, jolting him to his senses.

Feeling a foreboding sensation in the pit of his stomach, he turned to the woman, his eyes widening as he found himself staring at an unfamiliar face.

It was not Horey!

"What…"

Even as Frank's face fell, the woman beneath him struggled, punching his chest.

"Let me go, you moron! Let me go!" she shrieked.

"Damn it!"

Frank cursed as he heard a rush of footsteps outside and poked the woman in the collarbone, knocking her out.

Then, he scooped her up in one hand and hid in the next room before pressing his ear against the wall to eavesdrop on Room 10.

"What happened?!"

"The closet broke? And what's that on the table?"

Frank breathed a sigh of relief when he heard the staff members' murmurs of confusion-fortunately, they did not see him.

Then, putting a hand over the woman's mouth, he poked her between the brows, reviving her.

As she slowly stirred, she started struggling and calling for help again.

"Stay quiet and don't move, or I'll kill you!" Frank snapped, his eyes flashing murderously As her body seemed to turn limp and shudder, Frank kept his cool glare on her as he continued, "I will now let you talk. But if you call for help, you're dead. Understand?"

"Mmph."

The woman nodded despite her terror, and Frank lifted her hand from her mouth, asking softly, " have questions. I'll let you go if you answer them, or I will kill you where you stand." The woman nodded again, her eyes pleading for mercy since she could not call for help.

"Good—at least you understand your situation." Frank nodded in turn. "First of all, who sent you here to get that box?"

"It was a woman… she wore black robes and gave me a fifty grand check, telling me to bring it to her,"

the woman spoke gingerly, endlessly afraid of incurring Frank's wrath. "Good. Second question…"

Frank paused, narrowing his eyes. "Was that woman nearby earlier?" "Yeah." The woman nodded gingerly. "She's at the back door."

Then, seemingly worried that it was not enough, she added gingerly, "She stayed in touch through a video call and told me to aim the camera at the contents of the box. She said she wanted a look." "What?"

Frank panicked right then. "And did she see it?"

The woman thought about it and nodded. "Yeah."

"Shit!"

Frank cursed the game was up, as Horey had seen the fake Bloodcrane Spiritbloom in the box!

The Girlboss Begs For Remarriage Chapter 1737- Horey was no fool-she would be able to tell away that the Bloodcrane Spiritbloom in the box was an artisan object and no treasure.

And since it was a fake, she would immediately presume that Helen and the others were trying to trick her.

On top of that, Frank showed up and subdued her courier.

One did not need imagination at this point.

Horey would naturally presume that the whole thing was a trap designed by Helen to catch her, and that Helen had never planned to follow her demands from the start.

Horey would be furious and would definitely hurt Gavin Lane in retaliation.

"Devious witch…"

Frank could not help sighing, impressed despite Horey being his enemy.

She was so cunning she would crush her senior apprentice, Kairo Wal, by a country mile in the brains department.

Seeing that Frank has asked his questions-and that she already gave all the answers she could give anyway-she asked fearfully, "Excuse me, could you let go of me now?"

"What? Oh, right. Sorry…"

Frank quickly pulled the woman to her feet.

She was no villain, and judging from her expression and what she said, she was not lying.

Horey had simply sought her out by chance, promising her a generous reward to look inside the box.

Bowing his head in earnest apology, he said, "Sorry, I mistook you for someone bad. Please accept my apology."

The woman smiled nonchalantly. "It's fine. It's been a while since I've experienced this much excitement… Wait, why do you want to catch that woman?"

Frank sighed softly. "She kidnapped someone close to me."

"I-I see…"

The woman nodded, her face obscured in the darkness, but she was obviously young, with her hair tied into twintails.

"Oh, my phone… And my glasses…" she murmured, since she had dropped her phone when Frank subdued her.

Still, Frank's eyes lit up at the mention of her phone.

Right! Since Horey was staying in touch with a video call to check the contents of the box, Horey would have to give the woman her number or keep the call going! And once Frank got that number, he could ask Trevor to track it down…

Nheless, even as the idea occurred to him, he was left staring as the woman left Room 10, her eyes narrowed as she pouted "Your phone… Sorry."

swn Before Frank could speak, all the words were suddenly stuck in his throat.

After all, he could see the woman holding a broken pair of glasses and a phone with a cracked screen.

It was also only then that he finally saw that she was barely in her twenties, tooking like she had just graduated from college. She a denim dress matched with a large denim sling bag and had a paperboy cap on her head. She had to narrow her eyes to see clearly with her glasses broken, and while she was no looker, she was definitely not ugly.

Still, Frank's attention was not on her face, but her phone.

It was broken, which meant the trail leading to Horey that he had just thought of had gone cold.

"What's going on here?!"

A large group of staff and security guards emerged from Room 10, and they promptly interrogated the woman.

She was stammering, her hands flailing around helplessly before suddenly finding Frank's sleeve.

Tugging on it, she said quietly, "M-My boyfriend and I… slipped. And we heard people outside, so we hid…"

The Girlboss Begs For Remarriage Chapter 1738-Tugging on Frank's sleeve, the woman said quietly, "M-My boyfriend and I… slipped. And we heard people outside, so we hid…"

One of the security guards was staring at her sideways. "If you heard people, why would you hide?"

"Uh, well…"

The woman murmured awkwardly. "We came in from the back door. We saw an empty room, so we tried to check it out before we got our own… And then we slipped and hid when we heard you coming."

"I see."

The security guards nodded before one of them said, "Wait, did you break the closet in Room 10? I'm sorry, but you'll have to pay for it…"

"What? How much?" the woman asked, her fingers clenching on Frank's sleeve.

"Five grand." The security guard whipped out a price list.

"What?! That's so expensive!" The woman flinched in shock.

"It's fine. Five grand it is-we can afford it."

Still, Frank quickly strode up and whipped out a check to write down ten grand before slipping it into the security guard's chest pocket and patting it. "Use the change to buy a round of drinks for the boys, and let's put this behind us. There's no reason to blow this out of proportion."

The security guard's eyes lit up when he saw the number on the check. "Alright! Thanks, brother… This way please. The door's that way…" After shaking off the security guards, Frank pulled the woman along to the lobby. "Okay, you should be fine from here. You can see, right?" "Yes." The woman nodded. "Thank you."

"Wait."

Frank took out another check.

He wrote ten grand on it but thought about it and added another zero, making it a hundred grand.

After all, he had broken the woman's glasses and phone, not to mention that she was so helpful even though he floored her and threatened her. All of that really gnawed at Frank's conscience.

"Take this," he said. "Consider this compensation for your phone and glasses."

"Eh?"

The woman did a double take but held up her hands, smiling as she stared at Frank's chest. "No, it's fine. I already got one from… well, I guess I shouldn't take her money… to swro Frank chuckled at her hesitation, shaking his head and sliding the check into the woman's bag. "Don't worry. You deserve that money for your labor, while I'm compensating yout for breaking your stuff "R-Really? Well, as long as you're not upset… See you around, then," the woman said, nodding repeatedly at Frank.

She then turned to leave, only to walk right into a glass wall and hit her head.

"Ow." She dropped to a crouch, clutching her forehead and gritting her teeth.

She nodded at Frank again out of embarrassment before a waitress helped lead her outside by holding her hand.

Frank watched as she left, his smile fading as he soon sighed.

The trail leading to Horey has gone cold once again.

Even if Frank was sure now that Horey and Gavin were in Riverton and it was not as big a place as Zamri, they would not be able to find them that quickly even if they searched far and wide.

The Girlboss Begs For Remarriage Chapter 1739-"Well, this means trouble," Frank murmured to himself, frowning as he tried to think of a solution.

Meanwhile, outside the karaoke box, Helen received a call from Horey. "Your plan is genius, Ms. Lane."

"What?"

Helen was left confused. She looked between Gina and Huub, but they looked just as confused as to what the kidnapper was talking about.

Horey chuckled just then. "Still pretending, huh?"

"I'm not pretending. What are you getting at?" Helen pressed urgently.

Horey laughed in cold rage. "Not pretending? Then why did you bring a fake flower? Hell, that's not all-you even had someone hide in the closet in Room 10, ready to ambush me! You're really showing no sincerity here, Ms. Lane!"

Helen wheeled on Huub in shock. "The Bloodcrane Spiritbloom is fake?!"

Huub appeared stunned for a moment, but he quickly stuck with the script he had prepared beforehand, insisting vehemently, "Impossible! That's definitely the Bloodcrane Spiritbloom, an heirloom from my ancestors! How could it be fake?! The way I see it, the kidnapper must have already taken it and is trying to frame us instead!"

"Hah!"

Horey laughed coldly in turn. "You think I'd be interested in your fake crap?! Save it! If I'm trying to pull a scam, why would I even bother calling you?! You're the one who refused to take my deal and tried to trick me! You'll understand the consequences for that soon enough!"

Beep… Beep…

Horey hung up before Helen could explain, leaving her dejected as she listened to the static beeping.

If Gina had not been quick enough to catch her, she would have collapsed on the floor right then.

"Listen to me, Helen."

Huub strode up, ready to maintain his innocence. "The Bloodcrane Spiritbloom I gave you is not fake. It's real, and I promise you that on my reputation. I'd never lie to you!"

While Helen said nothing but nod at his assurance, Gina quickly said, "Of course we believe you, Mr. Droitner You'd never joke something like this given your family background. But why was the kidnapper saying that we lied to her? And that thing about anambush… Did you do that, Mr. Droitner?" "No, absolutely not." Huub shook his head repeatedly while turning to smile mildly at Helen. "Helen has decided to follow the kidnapper's demands, so why would I ruin it for her? Come on-let's go in and see what's happening inside." Despite what he said, Huub was just carrying out the plan he had put together beforehand.

First, he would deny everything, refusing to admit that the Bloodcrane Spiritbloom in the box was a fake. Even if it was really what he had brought there, he would insist that the kidnapper was the one who had switched it out with a fake. After that, he would watch how Helen reacted.

If she still accepted everything he said and tactfully accepted his advances after Frank's 'disappearance', he would just let slide his lost 'Bloodcrane Spiritbloom'.

But if she refused, Huub would demand compensation.

And if she could not afford it, he would take extra steps and coerce her into submission anyway.

It was the perfect plan, with endless layers of contingencies.

The Girlboss Begs For Remarriage Chapter 1740-Huub appeared anxious, but he knew inwardly that he had won.

Gina was an idiot and a slave to the rich and important—she would never stop him and was an ally to a certain extent.

As for Frank, that gigolo was now in Blackwater and would never leave for the rest of his life.

Now, no one could stop Huub-Helen was as good as his!

Even as he thought that and led Helen and the others back inside the karaoke box, he spotted a familiar face in the lobby.

"Frank Lawrence?!"

He froze when he recognized the man, unable to react right then.

"What's wrong, Mr. Droitner?"

Both Gina and Helen were puzzled to see Huub suddenly freezing like a statue and spotted the same familiar face when they looked where he was looking.

Gina was a little angry as she exclaimed, "Frank?!' "Frank! What are you doing here?!"

On the other hand, Helen was delighted-Frank would always appear at her most vulnerable and helpless moments.

She left Huub and walked over to Frank right away, wrapping her hands around his arm.

Frank was in turn surprised that Helen and the others would turn back, and he rubbed his nose as he chuckled awkwardly. "I heard that you'd be here for the exchange, so…"

"Wait!"

Helen exclaimed as she remembered, and stared at Frank in disbelief. "The kidnapper said someone set an ambush in Room 10 to catch her… Was that you?!"

She was smart, and Frank shrugged exasperatedly, not bothered to hide the fact. "It was me, but Horey Lindt is cunning-she never came, instead hiring some girl off the street to get the Bloodcrane Spiritbloom for her. And on that subject…" Frank's expression cool just then, as he strode up to the stunned Huub, pointing at him and snapping, "How dare you use a fake Bloodcrane Spiritbloom to trick Helen!"

"What?!"

Both Gina and Helen turned on Huub at Frank's accusation.

On the other hand, Huub was finally jolted into his senses and murmured without knowing it, "How did he make it out…?"

"Heh. Didn't expect this, did you?"

Frank chuckled coolly, interrupting Huub's musing. "You may have sent me to Blackwater, but a place like that would never hold me for long! Honestly, I'm impressed… You want Helen so badly that you'd frame me and get me arrested, stopping me from saving Gavin Lane. "That's one grudge too many that I have against you. And yet, you didn't stop there you tried to trick everyone with a fake Bloodcrane Spiritbloom!" "T-That's a lie!"

Huub was left stunned by Frank's accusations, as each struck him right where it hurt.

However, he soon had an idea and glowered furiously as he bellowed, "I know! So that's why the kidnapper was saying that my Bloodcrane Spiritbloom is fake!"

"What?"

Gina and Helen almost believed Frank, only for Huub to accuse Frank in return. It was you! You switched the Bloodcrane Spiritbloom with a fake after we left! You must have been hiding in Room 10, waiting to frame me!"