The Livestream Bombshell

Today was Daisy's first day of school. I was checking her stationery when my mobile phone rang. No contact name—just an unfamiliar number. "Who is this?" I swiped to answer. "Whitney Lynn, right? Your son is with me." The harsh voice was like sandpaper scraping against wood. I was stunned. I only have one daughter, Daisy. "You must be mistaken." I protested instinctively. "Cut the act! Isn't Thomas your stepson? Get fifty thousand ready, or prepare for the worst!" The caller hung up abruptly after that. Thomas... is Caleb Clark's son. My fingertips went ice-cold instantly. Caleb came in from the balcony, noticed my expression darken, and raised an eyebrow. "What's going on?" "Someone just called and said Thomas has been kidnapped. They want fifty thousand ransom." My voice was trembling. There wasn't a flicker of emotion on Caleb Clark's face; he even sneered. "It's a scammer's trick. Don't take it seriously." He said flatly. "But what if... it's real? Thomas Clark is supposed to report in today too." My hands grew sweaty with anxiety. "He's grown up now. What kind of trouble could he possibly get into?" Caleb Clark waved his hand impatiently. "Let's go. I'm taking Daisy to school." "Wait! Should we call the police? Or try contacting Thomas first?" Before I finished, Caleb suddenly grabbed my wrist, his grip painfully tight. "I said, don't get involved." His gaze was as cold as ice. "But..." "No more buts." He grabbed me and headed for the door. "Get in the car." "Daisy's backpack is still inside!" I protested. "Let her get it herself." Caleb Clark didn't even look back. He shoved me into the passenger seat. Daisy ran out with her backpack, looking confused. "Dad, Mom, what's going on?" "Nothing, just drive." Caleb started the car without even glancing at the rearview mirror. The car didn't head toward the school; instead, it turned onto the ring highway. "Caleb, where are you going? This isn't the way to school!" I panicked. "Take the longer route; it's quieter." He stared straight ahead, his voice calm. I took out my mobile phone to call Thomas Clark's school, but Caleb Clark suddenly reached over, grabbed my phone, and threw it onto the back seat. "What are you doing!" I yelled. "Behave yourself." He glanced at me sideways, his eyes full of menace. "Don't make me angry." The car kept moving forward, the buildings around us thinning out until there were no streetlights left. Outside the window was pitch-black night, with only the headlights piercing a pale beam. Where are we? I looked at Caleb Clark's profile and suddenly felt a chilling unfamiliarity. "Where exactly are we going?" My voice trembled. He didn't say anything, just pressed the accelerator harder. The wind howled through the cracks in the window, sounding like ghostly wails. My heart sank bit by bit.