Husband With Benefits
Chapter 289: Step Out

Chapter 289: Step Out

Alexander Sterling stood in front of the decrepit building, his eyes looking around desperately for where his little girl might be. He swallowed, clutching his phone in his hand, as he looked at the dark interiors of the building. The place smelled of rotting garbage while the windows and doors barely hung on their hinges.

The place was quiet and he could not help but wonder why he would be called here. Since the kidnappers had not asked for any money, he knew of course the only other reason for summoning him here could be they needed his power as the Prime Minister.

The place remained deathly silent, the only sound of his shoes against the floor making him realize painfully that his Dora was probably not here. They must have used her as bait to bring him here. He only hoped that once they had him, they would leave her alone.

Suddenly, two masked figures emerged from the shadows, blocking his path as he felt the press of a cold metal against his neck. The man who stood in front of him opened a bag and ordered," Get rid of the phone, watch and everything else that might be used to track you. And if you try to act smart, remember your daughter will suffer the consequences."

Without a word of hesitation, Alexander threw the phone in his hand into the bag, followed by his watch and rings and even the belt. He knew that if these people even had a moment’s doubt that they were endangered, he might never find his daughter.

Once he’d put everything inside and raised his hands again, the other man who had yet to speak, stepped forward and frisked him, looking for any other devices. A blindfold was then placed around his head, and he was pushed in another direction. Disoriented, he let the guards lead him realizing that he too had been essentially kidnapped. And they would not risk meeting him in a location that he might have shared with his security.

Soon, he was placed in a car where he lost any sense of time or direction as it rode around in circles before finally coming to a stop where he was once again taken out and pushed in random directions. Finally, when the blindfold was taken off, Alexander found himself in a dimly lit conference room.

As his eyes adjusted to the new light, Alexander watched the two masked men standing on the opposite side, staring at him intensely. Looking around, he realized that Dora was not here as well and asked hoarsely," Where is my daughter? I want to see her?"

"Sign the papers, and you can see your daughter," one of the masked figures demanded, their voice devoid of any compassion.

Soon, a thick file of papers were thrust in front of him and a pen was pushed into his hand.

Alexander Sterling’s gaze hardened, and he resolutely placed down the pen in his hand," I won’t sign anything until I have seen Dora and ascertained that she is safe. Bring her to me first."

The second man who had been silent all this while, stepped forward and picked up a remote that Alexander had not previously seen there. As he did, a grainy picture flickered to life on the screen, showing a sleeping little Dora unharmed.

"Happy now? Sign the papers," the man urged, his impatience evident.

Left with no other choice, Alexander picked up the pen with trembling hands and scanned through the papers. As he did, he finally realized how much Alpin Banfi hated him. Until now, he had been unsure of Demetri’s plan to annihilate the Banfi family. After all, the old man he had always treated with the respect of an elder had planned a deep web of deceit. And even if he were to win today with these papers signed, he had no intention od sparing them.

The papers were not just transferring all political and monetary assets to him but also taking the blame for different charges of money laundering, bribery and even human trafficking. If he agreed to this confession and this was made public, forget serving the country, their entire family might be beaten to death right here.

"I cannot sign this. There has to be another way," he pleaded, his voice desperate.

The two men however remained unmoved, offering no response as they exchanged glances before the one who had been speaking until now said," We have no other options, Minister. This is not a negotiation. Sign the papers, and your daughter will be safe," a cold finality in his tone.

Alexander rubbed his forehead as he looked at the papers again. Signing the papers was like signing the death warrants of his entire family. They would be torn to pieces and have no way of returning to Estania.

Desperation etched across his face, Alexander looked towards the screen where the image of his peacefully sleeping daughter lingered and held the pen tightly. On one hand, was his daughter on the other was the country he had dedicated his life to.

Just then, the door creaked open, and a figure stepped into the dimly lit room. The man looked down at the person who was hesitating and snickered," You really are useless at making decisions Sterling. How can a man like you lead the country when he cannot even protect his own daughter and has to think whether or not to save her?"

Alexander looked up at the man who had entered and all the worry and suffering that he had felt through the years, made him glare at the man," Alpin Banfi. You have finally come out into the open? All your life you’ve only played tricks to gain the upper hand and even now, you fallen this far to get what you wanted. My daughter looks upto you like a grandfather and this is what you do! You want to use her to ruin me and the entire Royal family."

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