Chapter 53
To confirm my suspicion, I deliberately turned right at the next intersection, driving onto a quiet, winding mountain road. As expected, the car behind me hesitated for a brief moment before accelerating to catch up.
My mind raced as I considered my options. Calling the police? Without evidence of harm, I couldn’t prose I was bring followed. Besides, I was desperate to know who was behind this.
At that moment, York’s threats echoed in my mind. Was he behind this! Darn it What was he trying to pull this time!
After some thought, I started the car, heading uphill while dealing Rose’s mumber.
She answered almost immediately, her gentle voice coining through my Bluetooth earpiece. Natalia, are you arriving soon!”
“Rose. I’m being fisllowed,” I exclaimed, keeping it briel “Can you bring a couple of security guards and meet me? I’ve shared my location with you”
The mountain was shrouded in fog, but I couldn’t slow down or stop.
- Glancing at the rearview mirror, I kept an eye on the trailing car.
Rove stayed on the line, her voice tense. Is the car still following you? I’m coming up the mountain from the other side. I should be there in five
minutes.
“Yes,” I replied, checking the map on my navigation system. “This road is a one–way path; he can’t turn back. I lead him to the summit where we can comer him.
“Alright” Rose said firmly. “But don’t get out of the car when you stop. Be careful.”
Five minutes later, I reached the mountaintop, Rose’s headlights flashed in the distance. Seeing her signal, I slammed the brakes, blocking the car behind me.
A group of security guards got out of Rose’s car and ran toward us. Caught off guard, the driver of the black sedan hesitated before flinging his door open to escape. But it was too late–the guards tackled him to the ground.
I quickly stepped out my of car and approached the man. He was middle–aged, with an unremarkable face I didn’t recognize. “Why are you following me?” I demanded coldly.
“Following your I don’t know what you’re talking about, I was just driving up here for fun,” he argued defensively
1 didn’t buy it for a second.
Rose pulled out her phone, snapped a picture of his license plate, and had someone run a check on it.
Meanwhile, I searched his car, hoping to find some clues about his identity. The vehicle was new, and both the glove compartment and trunk were empty. Not a single identifying item could be found.
A few minutes later, Rose received a reply. She leaned in and whispered, “The car is registered to a newly established company.”
Whoever was behind this had planned meticulously.
“Do you have anyone in mind!” Rose asked.
I shook my head. Initially, I had suspected York, but he already knew about Benedict. There was no point in following me to the care facility. I had no other leads at the moment.
Rose glanced at the man and asked me, “Should we call the police!”
eyes gave away his guilt.
“I should be the one calling the cops! This is kidnapping, the man shouted. The flicker in his ey
Calling the police wasn’t a good idea, we had no solid evidence against him.
-Don’t
Jet me see you again. Get lost,” I hissed, shooting him a glare before heading back to my car with Rose,
The guards released him, and he scrambled to his car, speeding away.
“Thanks for your help today. I told Rose as we drove off
“It’s nothing, but why would someone follow you?” Rose said worriedly
I forced a smile. “I don’t know, but I’ll find out soon.”
My nerves stayed on edge until I arrived at the care facility and saw Benedict. He had grown a lile since I last visited. As I held him in my arms, he gazed at me with his bright, curious eyes, giggling sweetly.
“Benedict, I wish I could hold you every day I murmured, unable to suppress the longing in my heart.
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Chapter 33
mbes he could see you every day
at nightened, and to
d for a fleeting moment, I considered running away with him
As if reading my thoughts, Rose asked. Have you ever thought about leaving the city with Benedict
out it, but I can’t
ing away would only provoke Quinn. Once the Madden family learned of Benedict’s existence, I would lose custody of him completely.
ugh to face them y
1 yet. Staving under the radar was the only way to protect both Benedict and myself.
– nodded solemnly. I’m glad you’re staying in Enchester. That means Aiden and I get to see you”
taken aback, her words reminding of Aiden and what he had said that night. There was someone he loved, but unfortunately, it wasn’t
“Aden seems really bow lately.” I said observing Rose’s expression uncasily, unsure how to continue the conversation.
my and replied. “He is Ive been busy too. I promised my parents I’d manage the care facility and double the size of the operations.
I don’t have time for other distractions right now.”
seemed off about Rose, but I couldn’t put my finger on it.
opened
returned home in the aftemoon. I immediately send a message ti
to Raelynn. [Have y
you found anything“]
an image. [Yes, this is the trajectory map of the car’s journey today.]
mountain. I accessed the black car’s navigation system with my account and had Raclynn hire a hacker to track its route. When I
my mind went blank as I looked at the image.
the car had gone straight to the Madden Mansion. It was Alex who had sent someone to follow me
Though he had pretended to back off after our last confrontation, it was clear he hadn’t let the matter go.
A cold
ran through me. If I hadn’t noticed the car tailing me today, I might have unwittingly led them to the care facility. The consequences would have been distrous.
ast then, my phone rang snapping me out of my thoughts. An unfamiliar number
Taking a deep breath, I steadied myself and answered, “Who’s this?”
displayed on the screen.
