Free Web NovelChapter 370: She has been kidnapped
Mao Li stood in the quiet corridor, the distant hum of the gala muffled behind thick velvet walls, and looked at Hua Jing with an expression that almost betrayed something human. For the briefest second, something flickered in his eyes—regret, perhaps, or resentment—but it disappeared as quickly as it came, replaced by the same calculated composure he had always worn like armor. He smiled faintly. "Long time no see," he said, his voice low and pensive, though the faint shadows beneath his eyes revealed what pride tried to conceal.
The recent months had not been kind to him. Blue Entertainment, once loud and domineering in the industry, was now gasping for breath. Artists had terminated their contracts one after another, citing "creative differences." Strategic partners had withdrawn overnight. Investors had evaporated. Debts had stacked high enough to crush a lesser man. It was surprising—almost absurd—to see him at an event this public after such a spectacular collapse.
Hua Jing’s gaze did not soften. She merely nodded once, polite but distant, and moved to step past him toward the restroom. Mao Li shifted slightly, blocking her path—not aggressively, but enough to make his intention clear.
"For old time’s sake," he said quietly, "can we speak for a minute?"
Hua Jing’s lips curved into something that was not quite a smile. "For old time’s sake," she replied evenly, "I have not even revealed what truly happened back then. It is better for us to part ways like this. There is no need for remembrance."
The words landed heavier than she intended. Mao Li’s composure faltered; hurt flashed openly across his face before he forced himself to step aside. "I see," he murmured.
Hua Jing did not hesitate. She walked past him without looking back, her heels echoing down the corridor before the restroom door closed behind her.
What she did not see was the way Mao Li’s expression changed the moment she disappeared. The faint hurt drained away, replaced by something cold and deliberate. His gaze shifted across the hall, locking onto a man half-hidden among the catering staff. It was subtle—barely a tilt of the chin—but it was enough.
The man gave the smallest nod. freёwebnoѵel.com
Without another glance at the restroom door, Mao Li turned and moved toward a side exit, blending seamlessly into a cluster of departing guests. Within moments, he had stepped outside the building and into the night, unnoticed.
Back inside the gala hall, the celebration continued, glittering and unaware. Champagne glasses clinked. Laughter rose and fell. Investors gathered in quiet circles to discuss projections and partnerships. At the center of it all, Fu Jing Rong stood engaged in a calm but focused discussion with a prominent investor, his expression composed, posture confident. Yet as minutes stretched, an odd gap began to form in the room’s rhythm.
It had been quite some time since anyone had seen Hua Jing.
With her newly announced role as Indigo Beauty’s global ambassador, guests had expected her to remain visible—smiling for photographs, greeting executives, standing beside Mark for media interactions. Instead, she was nowhere in sight.
Mark noticed first.
Though usually nonchalant and easygoing, a subtle streak of unease crept into his eyes as he scanned the hall. He excused himself from a conversation and made his way directly to Fu Jing Rong, interrupting with a polite but urgent tone. "Where is your wife? Have you seen her?"
Fu Jing Rong did not immediately sense the shift. "She went to the restroom," he replied calmly. "She will be back."
But as he spoke the words, realization dawned. It had been far too long.
He caught the unmistakable restlessness in Mark’s gaze and felt something cold settle in his chest. Without another word, he turned back to the investor. "Excuse me," he said curtly, before stepping away.
The two men walked quickly toward the corridor. Around them, several higher-ups from Indigo Beauty had also begun looking around discreetly, their polite smiles thinning as they failed to locate their ambassador. A whisper of concern began threading through the executives.
Mark approached a nearby female staff member, his voice controlled but tight. "Please check the ladies’ restroom. See if Miss Hua is still inside."
The staff member nodded immediately and hurried off.
The wait felt longer than it was.
When she returned, her face was pale. She shook her head. "There’s no one inside," she said quietly. Then she opened her palm. "But I found this."
Resting against her hand was a tiny yellow hairband.
It was delicate, barely large enough to gather a few strands of hair, woven in soft silk the color of fresh petals. Fu Jing Rong’s breath caught.
Recognition struck instantly.
That hairband was not random. It was something personal between him and Hua Jing. He had given it to her years ago—small, unassuming, something she often used to tie back a few strands when they fell across her face. She never wore it to public events unless she felt at ease.
If it was here, abandoned—
Something was wrong.
His jaw tightened. The air around him seemed to grow heavy. Mark glanced between the two of them, confusion deepening. "What is it? What’s wrong?"
Fu Jing Rong’s expression hardened in a way that silenced further questions. His voice, when it came, was no longer that of a polite businessman.
"Secure the venue," he ordered.
Mark froze.
"No one leaves," Fu Jing Rong continued, each word precise and commanding. "Lock the exits. Check the surveillance immediately. Do you understand?" freeweɓnovel.cѳm
There was no room for refusal in his tone. It carried authority that did not belong merely to a corporate executive—it belonged to someone accustomed to being obeyed.
Mark swallowed. "Yes."
As security personnel began discreetly moving toward the doors, several investors approached, sensing the disturbance. "What’s going on?" one demanded. "Is there a problem?"
Mark looked at them, face solemn.
"I believe," he said carefully, "that Hua Jing has been kidnapped."
The investors stared at Mark as though he had just delivered the punchline to an absurd joke. For a fleeting second, one of them even let out a disbelieving laugh. "Kidnapped?" someone repeated under their breath. "Here?"
