“Everyone there stuck to the same story. After the deal fell through, they went their separate ways. They knew nothing about Ms. Cherniavsky’s whereabouts and denied any involvement. The private club’s surveillance footage also clearly showed that Tengu Gruppe’s people left first.”
Birgitte had gone missing at the private club.
Aubree seized on this lead. “Has anyone checked who owns the club?”
This really hadn’t crossed Josiah and Harris’s minds. After all, that club was one of the most prestigious establishments in Südlichen Strand. Surely they wouldn’t stoop to something so shady. That’d just be shooting themselves in the foot.
“Not yet,” Josiah said, shaking his head.
Aubree ordered, “Look into it.”
Harris nodded hurriedly.
A sudden thought struck Aubree. “Josiah, recall all the men monitoring Tengu Gruppe and let them monitor Milena.”
“Milena?” Josiah said.
“Yes, Milena, the heiress of the Yurchenko family.”
A cold glint appeared in Aubree’s eyes. Tengu Gruppe wouldn’t stoop to kidnapping Birgitte, but that didn’t mean they wouldn’t help someone else do it.
Tengu Gruppe had already partnered with Wilson Group. They were in this together now. Anything that made Aubree’s life harder was a good thing for them.
So when Milena came seeking help under the banner of the Wilson family, Morhan barely hesitated before agreeing. With no risk to himself and clear benefits at stake, it was an easy decision.
Just as Aubree speculated, Milena was behind it.
After learning from Joey, Trevor’s assistant, that Aubree would be tied up all day, Milena instinctively knew this was the perfect moment to strike.
She’d always known Aubree was a formidable opponent, so from the very beginning, she’d set her sights on Birgitte instead, and had already conducted a thorough investigation into her.
Simply put, Birgitte was an unfavored daughter born in a remote mountainous area. As the eldest child in an impoverished household, she was resented by her parents for being a girl. She was frequently beaten and scolded, and often went hungry.
Thankfully, the village chief was a kind man. He gave her food, warned her parents, and even made sure she went to school. Without his help, she might not have even survived childhood.
Later, her parents had a son. Seeing her strong academic performance, her parents thought that if she became successful, she could help support the family and bring honor. As a result, their resistance to her schooling lessened, and things started to look up for her.
Birgitte was clear–eyed. She knew that if she couldn’t break free from her family, they’d leech off her for the rest of her life. Determined to be independent, after the SAT, she told her parents she’d attend a university in their home province, but secretly applied to the school farthest from home.
From that moment on, Birgitte’s parents lost all contact with her.
The Cherniavsky family had long given up searching for Birgitte. But now that their precious son had come of age and was desperate to marry, the Cherniavsky couple suddenly remembered their daughter.
A wealthy old man in their village was looking for a bride. What better way to fund their son’s wedding than by selling off their daughter?
Milena probably wouldn’t have been able to find out any of this. After all, so much time had passed, and Birgitte’s hometown was so remote it barely had electricity.
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Chapter 344
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But Birgitte had changed her name once. She used to be called Birdie Cherniavsky. That one clue was all Milena needed to connect the dots and uncover her entire past.
Milena first brought Birgitte’s parents to Südlichen Strand. Then, in collusion with Tengu Gruppe, she lured Birgitte out. Her people then ambushed and abducted Birgitte at the private club, taking her back to the Cherniavsky family’s home.
Aubree paced anxiously around Bree Technology’s branch office, waiting for news. The longer the wait dragged on, the more restless and guilt–ridden she became. Truth was, anyone could see that even if she had answered that call, it likely wouldn’t have made any difference.
Whether Aubree rushed over or Bowen sent help, it would still take time. Südlichen Strand was the Yurchenko family’s turf. Even though they’d gone legitimate, with their organized crime roots, dealing with a defenseless young woman would still be child’s play for them.
‘If anything happened to Birgitte, I’d never forgive myself, Aubree thought. Why couldn’t I have been more vigilant when I knew Milena was crazy?”
Josiah reported, “Ms. Miller, we’ve traced the club’s ownership to the Yurchenko family.”
Bowen held Aubree’s hand. “Don’t panic. I’ve already contacted Mark. He’s used his connections to get the local police Anvolved in the search.”
“Let’s head to the Yurchenko family’s place now,” Aubree said.
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