Lan Lan also knows how to hit where it hurts, thinking her jab wasn’t vicious enough: "Aunt An was also very good to my brother. Some people, no matter how long they stay in a prestigious family, still end up abandoned!" "Jealous of you? Are you talking about my mother?" Qiao Xiaren snorted in disbelief, "Is showing off this kind of trash the best you can do in front of me? What you’re flaunting is really pitiful because in our eyes, she’s not even worth a glance." Lan Lan’s fingers slowly clenched. Qiao Xiaren had no intention to waste words with Lan Lan, finally turning on her phone to call Lan Tiansheng. Lan Tiansheng had been frantic, lacking any news about the old man, pacing around the Lan Family. It’s already the third day, and the Lan Family has used every connection to conduct a thorough search for the old man and Lan Lan, all to no avail, not a trace. At this moment, he didn’t dare approach the Qiao Family, stuck at home worrying. Lan Xinhan’s face was dark—if he’d known, he wouldn’t have taken this risky move, which ended in a difficult predicament. Qiao Xiaren turned off her phone just to agitate Lan Tiansheng, let him stew. He had schemed against her earlier, and she’ll exact interest without missing a cent. "Young Master, Miss Qiao is on the line!" Lan Tiansheng, who hadn’t rested properly for three days, had dark circles under his eyes, instinctively grabbed the phone upon hearing the servant’s shout. Lan Tiansheng was tormented for three days, now gritting his teeth: "Qiao Xiaren!" "I know my name sounds nice; no need to shout." Qiao Xiaren sounded languid and composed, "I’m actually easy to talk to. If you want the old man and Lan Lan back, it’s simple—just pay the ransom. Oh, and please return my dad the same way, or else..." Her next words carried a sinister undertone. "How much do you want?" Qiao Xiaren seemed to seriously consider for a moment, then said: "Alright, I’ll give you a discount, just 2 billion will do." With Qiao Xiaren, it was 700 million more straightaway! "2 billion?" Lan Tiansheng’s eyes started to redden, "Why not rob a bank? Qiao Xiaren, show some decency, I only asked for 1.3 billion before." Was this woman trying to bleed the Lan Family dry? "Decency? I learned this from you." Qiao Xiaren’s voice sounded a bit lazy, "Enough talk. Pay and I’ll release them; don’t pay, face the consequences yourself!" Several veins popped on Lan Tiansheng’s forehead, always aware of Qiao Xiaren’s unpredictable ruthlessness. Alright, 2 billion, so be it! "I’ll give you the check now; release the old man and Lan Lan first." "I want to see the check first." "Why should I believe you’ll release them?" Lan Tiansheng, already breathless with anger, had never thought he would find himself on the losing end. Orıginal content can be found at 𝙣𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙡·𝕗𝕚𝕣𝕖·𝔫𝔢𝔱 This feeling—so suffocating! "Do you think you have any other options?" Qiao Xiaren retorted with the same words he’d used earlier, leaving him speechless. Yes, he had no choice; the old man and Lan Lan were in her hands. He couldn’t manage to snatch anyone from the Qiao Family, so he was at Qiao Xiaren’s mercy! "Fine, I’ll send over the 2 billion check soon. I hope Miss Qiao you keep your word." Qiao Xiaren chuckled softly: "Don’t worry, you think I’m like you? I wouldn’t stoop to Lan sir’s level, changing face and being a scoundrel."