Effie approached Lilah, looking remorseful. “Lilah, I feel terrible.

If anything happens to Jerrold..."

“Stop blaming yourself. If Jerrold was kidnapped for leverage, he should be safe." Lilah was nervous, yet her face remained calm, despite her fingers shaking slightly.

All she had to do was wait for a call from the other party.

In a shabby, secluded room, as Helga observed Jerrold tied to a cold chair, she couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction.

With Jerrold in her grasp, Lilah would have no choice but to comply with her demands.

Approaching Jerrold, Helga grabbed his face and sharply commanded, “Wake up, boy."

Jerrold's eyes fluttered open, confusion and fear evident as he saw an unfamiliar woman before him. “Who are you? Where's my aunt?" he questioned, his eyes darting around the unfamiliar room.

"Where am I? I want to go home," he added, his voice filled with a mix of hope and despair.

"You sure ask a lot of questions, kid. But listen here, keep it down or you'll regret it," Helga warned, tightening her grip on Jerrold's arm, causing him to wince in pain and tears to well up in his eyes.

Looking at her with a mix of fear and defiance, Jerrold accused, "You're a bad woman."

“Bad? How dare you!" Helga snapped, her anger flaring as she pinched him again, her actions fueled by the resentment and suffering she believed Lilah had caused her and her daughter.

Her grip became even more merciless, making Jerrold's face contort with pain, yet he knew better than to make another sound.

Jerrold feared that Helga would beat him up if he made another sound.

"You're Lilah's son. That's your problem. Blame her, not me. Keep quiet or it'll get worse," Helga warned.

She shot Jerrold a stern look, pulled out her phone, swapped SIM cards, and dialed Lilah.

Returning home, Lilah and Gerard, fresh from a visit to the police station, were anxious for updates.

Effie shifted uncomfortably on a different couch.

Then, Lilah's phone started ringing.

The sight of an unknown number made everyone's heart skip a beat.

Exchanging worried glances, Lilah picked up and cautiously asked, "Hello? Who's this?"

“Lilah, have you forgotten me already?" Helga responded coldly.

At the sound of Helga's voice, Lilah's expression darkened. "Have you taken my son?" she demanded.

"Yes, I have," Helga said, a hint of pride in her voice.