SAFE AND SOUND

THREE HOURS.

Nikolai and his group had three hours to move.

It was more than enough.

"Lea-ssi asked me to go to her house after lunch," Nichole said after talking to the mastermind of the kidnapping. "She probably asked to meet around that time because it takes at least three hours and thirty minutes to travel from Seoul to Pohang City via car."

Nikolai nodded in agreement. "I have a question, but please don't get offended."

Nichole looked nervous, but she nodded. "Alright. What is it?"

"I understand that you can't ask the police in this village for help because they're on the mayor's payroll. But the mayor of a small village can't have power over the police stations in Seoul. What's stopping you from reporting them?"

Nichole fell silent for a moment while glancing at Neoma, Nero, and Tan Kim who were silently listening while having hot chocolate and some cookies.

[Ah, so it's something she can't say in front of the kids.]