Chapter 229:
Freya prepared to press her advantage when recognition dawned, prompting her startled exclamation,
“Trent?”
“Mina?” Trent’s eyes widened as he identified his assailant.
In unison, they questioned,
“Why are you here?”
“A few minutes ago, someone knocked at my door, leaving behind a letter and room card,” Trent explained, visibly relaxing his defensive posture while adjusting his gold-rimmed glasses.
“The letter claimed a young woman had been kidnapped in this very room.”
Freya’s brow furrowed in confusion.
Trent elaborated further,
“The message stated they couldn’t risk antagonizing the kidnappers or involving law enforcement, so they discreetly provided me with access to rescue her.”
Freya’s expression transformed as comprehension dawned.
“You’re currently staying at this hotel?” she inquired.
“Indeed.” Trent nodded, his scholarly appearance exuding a particular charm.
“My initial instinct was to alert the authorities, but concern for the victim’s wellbeing prompted me to investigate personally. I never anticipated finding you here.”
Freya acknowledged with a thoughtful nod, realizing someone had orchestrated this scenario with full awareness of Trent’s identity.
Whoever plotted this possessed considerable cunning.
LΑτєѕτ chαρτєrs ιn g𝓪l𝑛ovєl𝑆.𝗰𝑜𝗺
“And yourself?” Trent prompted.
Freya exited the bedroom, deposited the baseball bat on the table, and presented him with his phone.
“Someone appropriated your device to message me.”
“Addressing me as ‘Mina’. Without questioning its authenticity, I came directly here.”
Trent examined the message, a subtle frown crossing his features.
Settling onto the sofa, Freya engaged him in analyzing their predicament.
“Your awareness leaves much to be desired. You failed to notice your phone’s disappearance. If you returned to active duty, the Captain would reprimand you severely for such carelessness.”
Trent reflected momentarily, deducing the theft likely occurred during his assistance to a stranger in the parking area.
“Your ability to authenticate communications hardly surpasses mine,” he countered with a knowing smile while securing his phone.
“The Captain would certainly admonish you equally.”
Freya found herself without a suitable retort.
Rather than continuing their verbal sparring, she redirected attention to the day’s peculiar events.
“This situation remains unresolved.” If the orchestrator’s plan involved merely luring her here and subsequently bringing Trent to the same location, what ultimate purpose could they have?
“Could Ashley Bradley be responsible?” Trent ventured, considering the most plausible candidate.
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