He Chose the So-Called Sister Chapter 278: The Game

He only started threatening her at the end.

Men like this were different. You never knew what they'd do next.

When the movie ended, Hector caught her tense expression.

In the crowded lobby, he unwound the scarf from his own neck and moved to wrap it around hers.

Sherry wanted to refuse, and she even wanted to break his wrist.

But Max was in his grip. She could only swallow it down.

She forced herself still, rigid, as he draped the fabric over her shoulders.

"Relax. I was just messing with you earlier. Wanted you to actually watch the movie."

Easy for him to say. Sherry wasn't about to gamble.

"Dinner. Movie. Done. Now let Max go."

Hector's mouth curved. "You trust too easily. A bad guy like me? You really think I'd just hand him over?"

"What do you want? Tell me. Leave innocent people out of this."

Sherry's fists clenched. She swallowed the urge to strangle him.

Hector noticed the stares around them, his expression as cocky and defiant as ever.

Women nearby practically melted. Even those with boyfriends couldn't look away.

Some of them looked at Sherry with envy—being gazed at so tenderly by a total knockout? If it were them, they'd be over the moon.

They had no idea how toxic the air between them really was.

Hector shot a wild grin at the onlookers. He could pass for a star like that—his face alone could carry it.

Then he looked back at Sherry, innocent as ever. "Nothing much. Just—if I let him go, how do I see you again? Some things are worth sacrificing a man for."

"Then I'll meet you whenever you want. Just let him go. You've investigated me—you know I keep my word."

She kept it so faithfully that it had ruined her life.

"That was then. Now? I don't trust your promises."

Sherry tightened her fist. He wasn't wrong. She would break any deal with him the second Max was safe. No guilt required.

"Alright, alright. Stop looking at me like that. Let's get you home."

Sherry stayed alert the whole drive. Only when she was safely inside the villa did he disappear.

Back inside, Sherry started calling nonstop, but even Yelena didn't reply.

The silence was suffocating, like they'd never existed, like she'd imagined them all.

If she weren't in Lucas' house, she'd question her own sanity.

Morning finally came. Messages started trickling in.

"Something came up at work yesterday. Everyone pulled overtime. Talk later!"

Juan was the first to respond, sending a tired emoji.

She even misspelled words, clearly rattled and rushed.

Sherry wondered if it was really Juan... or if she hadn't even seen her messages.

[Max's missing! I think he was kidnapped. Call me back right now!]

Juan sent a question mark. Then she disappeared again.

What the hell was happening?

Sherry tried calling, but none of the calls went through.

Sherry considered the police. But without proof, they couldn't act. And if she angered Hector, Max would pay the price.

She didn't dare leave. She felt like eyes were everywhere, like she'd disappear too.

After what felt like forever, the first person to knock and come in was Adam.

Sherry nearly cried. "Something's wrong. Max's missing. Lucas won't respond. You know them—help me."

Adam pulled out his phone. "Probably nothing. They're in a new development zone. Signal's spotty.

"Lucas will be fine. No one touches him in King City."

"What about Max?" If he got hurt because of her, Sherry would never forgive herself.

"From what I've heard, Max went too."

Sherry froze. "No way. Before Lucas left, he sent Max to get me. Then a man named Hector showed up..."

She told him everything.

Adam's brows furrowed. "If you put it that way, yeah, it's weird. But don't forget—we've got something even more important to handle today."