Chapter 35
As templing as Stacy’s reward was, Leopold couldn’t afford to lose his well–paid job as a personal chauffeur.
Aurora’s lips curved into a sly, satisfied smile as she offered Leopold empty praise, with a hint of calculation hidden behind her words. “Don’t worry. I’ll make sure Dad hears every detail of how you save us. I’m sure there’ll be a large reward coming your way”
Leopold’s face tightened, a mix of discomfort and hope flickering across his features. “You’re too kind, Miss Aurora. I’m just doing my job.”
Aurora ignored his response with a flicker of her eyes, lier gaze slurpening as it locked onto the three men standing across from them. Her body tensed slightly as she watched their every move.
Leopold’s unexpected intervention had clearly thrown a wrench in their plans, leading to a charged, uneasy standoff
The road stretched out in eene silence, broken only by the whisper of wind through the trees.
Suddenly, the sharp click of a car door pierced the air
“She’s bolting Tom lunged forward without hesitation
“Go get her!” Caleb’s command followed, spurring his men into action.
Aurora ducked, slapping out of Tom’s reach with practiced ease. Her leg shot out, kicking the half–open car door wide, and with a swift, fluid motion, she swung herself into the driver’s seat. Maura, still caught in Aurora’s iron grip, let out a pained shriek as her scalp burned from the rough
treatmen..
Eric, the other burly henchman, crept up from behind with a handkerchief in hand. He lunged for Aurora’s face, but she was quicker. With a sharp twist, she drove her elbow into his ribs and followed through with a tierce kick, sending him staggering back.
The next moment. Aurora yanked Maura into the car and slammed the door shut. Thankfully, the driver’s seat was roomy enough for them to squeeze in. “Keep still, Aurora hissed as she released Maura
Aurora’s hand flew to the ignition, turning the key that had been left inside, and the engine roared to life. It was clear now–the car
wasn’t damaged.
As Aurora floored the gas and the windows began to rise, Maura made her move, “No! We pan’t just leave. Leopold’s still out there. We can’t just leave him behind,” the cried out, lunging at the steering wheel, her face contorted in exaggerated worry.
Maura’s thoughts, however, told a different story. She can’t leave. Not like this. Mom sent these guys to teach her a lesson, but now I am the one being tortured. I’m not letting her leave until I’ve gotten my payback‘
At her wit’s end. Aurora’s patience finally snapped. She delivered a stinging slap across Maura’s face, her voice icy as the snapped, “Are you blind They’re coming after me. What do you expert me to do, stay here and wait to get caughtTM
The sudden blow left Maura reeling, her check burning as her mind struggled to catch up. “Y–you slapped me she sputtered. I can’t believe it No one’s ever laid a hand on me, not even Mom and Dad. How dare this country bumpkin hit me? Her thoughts raced in disbelief.
ildly, her manicured nails raking at Aurora’s face and
“I’m gonna kill your Maura shrieked, her sweet, demure facade crumbling as she lashed out wildly. berly
eep the car under control. The vehicle swerved erratically, tires screeching in protest as they
With Maura’s frenzied assault, Aurora struggled to keep t spun uselessly against the asphalt
Meanwhile, Caleb and his crew sprang
ig into action. Ignoring Leopold, they had somehow found a metal rod, and with several heavy wings, they smashed it against the car’s windows. The glass splintered rapidly, a spiderweb of cracks spreading across its surface.
As shards of glass rained down, Maura, sitting closest to the window, yelped in pain as her exposed skin was sliced open. She frantically brush glass fragments off her dress, forgetting the fight for the steering wheel.
by tried to
Caleb’s eyes glinted coldly as he wrenched open the door, his iron grip closing around Maura’s armı.
Sensing no immedjate Threat from him. Maura decided to go along with it. This was exactly what she had been waiting for
Do you really think you can just drive away like this, Aurora You’re not going anywhere. This is the price you pay for crossing me Maura thought
sinugly
But in one swift motion, Aurora grabbed Maura by the hair again, yanking her back into the car. She wasn’t about to let go of Maura–her only leverage
Suddenly, Maura found herself caught in a vicious tug–of–war between Aurora and Caleb. She bowled in agony, her head wrenched back at an unnatural angle. Her ryes, now dark pools of hatred, bore into Aurora’s unflinching gaze,
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Chapter 35
Undeterred, Aurora only tightened her grip. With her free hand, she snatched up a small fire extinguisher from beside the driver’s seat and s
Lswing at Caleb’s head with all her might.
Cursing under his breath, Calels barely managed to dodge the potentially skull–crushing blow. Damn it, he fumed inwardly. How can one high. school girl be so tough! It’s taking way too long to deal with her!
“Caleb, take this.” Tom handed Caleb a wet handkerchief, Without hesitation, Caleb snatched and pressed it against Maura’s mouth.
“Mmph!” Maura’s muffled cries grew frantic as she struggled against the chemical–soaked handkerchief, her eyes widening in sheer disbelief. What’s going on Weren’t they sent by Mom? Why are they turning on me?
But her thoughts were soon clouded as the drug took effect. Her consciousness began to slip away, leaving her with nothing but confusion as her eyes fluttered shut.
“You’re not going anywhere,” Caleb growled, his frustration boiling over into a twisted grin.
But while Caleb’s temper simmered, Aurora remained eerily calm. Her lingers tightened around the steering wheel, a slight smirk playing on her lips as she floored the accelerator.
With Maura knocked out, she could finally focus on driving If Cdeli found Maura a nuisance, well, sod
Tom flung the
Caleb shoved Maura aside like dead weight and lunged for Aurora, gripping her arm, trying to pull her out of the car. Meanwhile, Tom fl passenger door open and scrambled to seize control of the steering wheel.
Thinking quickly, Caleb once again pressed the handkerchief against Aurora’s face, hoping to subdue her the same way,
Aurora, however, wasn’t giving up without a fight. She lashed out, her fingers aiming for Caleb’s eyes, but Tom seized her arms, restraining her with a tight grip. Despite her fierce struggle, Aurora felt her consciousness fading, fury and helplessness mingling as larkness closed in.
Suddenly, the blaring sound of car horns pierced the air.
“What do we do now? Someone’s coming this way, Tom called out, panic creeping into his voice as sweat dripped down his brow.
“This wasn’t just any road–it was the main route to Mereida’s upscale district, if the approaching vehicles belonged to any of those rich folk with, bodyguards in tow, they would be in serious trouble.
Caleb quickly assessed the situation, his eyes narrowing as he took in the shattered glass and the two unconscious girls. “We’re taking both of them,” he said. ‘Better to let the one in the dress leave on her own once she wakes up than risk leaving evidence behind
“What about the driver? Tom asked, casting a glance towards Leopold
Caleb’s eyes licked over to Leopold, who hadn’t budged an inch the whole time, ‘What a coward Caleb thought with a disdainful smirk. Leave him. Someone’s gotta spread the word”
At the Crawford Mansion, Stacy reclined in the garden, surrounded by vibrant blooms, leisurely sipping her tea. The contented smile on her lips made it clear that she was in an excellent mood.
