Chapter 35
As tempting 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, a hint of calculation in her words. "Don't worry. I'll make sure Dad hears every detail of how you saved 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 him, her gaze snapping to the three men across from them. Her body tensed as she watched their every move. Leopold's unexpected intervention had clearly thrown a wrench in their plans, creating a charged, uneasy standoff.
The road stretched out in eerie 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. "Go get her!" Caleb's command spurred his men into action.
Aurora ducked, easily evading Tom's grasp. Her leg shot out, kicking the half-open car door wide, and she swung herself into the driver's seat. Maura, still in Aurora's grip, shrieked as her scalp burned from the rough treatment.
Eric, the other henchman, crept up with a handkerchief. He lunged for Aurora's face, but she was quicker. With a sharp twist, she drove her elbow into his ribs, following with a swift kick, sending him staggering back.
Immediately, Aurora yanked Maura into the car and slammed the door. Thankfully, the driver's seat was roomy enough. "Keep still," Aurora hissed, releasing Maura. Aurora's hand flew to the ignition; the key was still there, and the engine roared to life. The car was undamaged.
As Aurora floored the gas and the windows began to rise, Maura made her move. "No! We can't just leave Leopold! We can't leave him behind!" she cried, lunging at the steering wheel, her face contorted with exaggerated worry.
Maura's thoughts, however, told a different story. She can't leave. Not like this. Mom sent these guys to teach me a lesson, but now I'm the one being tortured. I'm not letting her leave until I've gotten my payback.
At her wit's end, Aurora's patience snapped. She slapped Maura, her voice icy. "Are you blind? They're coming after me! What do you expect me to do, stay here and wait to get caught?"
The blow left Maura reeling. "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. Wildly, her manicured nails raked at Aurora's face. "I'm going to kill you!" Maura shrieked, her demure facade crumbling as she lashed out.
With Maura's frenzied assault, Aurora struggled to keep the car under control. The vehicle swerved erratically, tires screeching against the asphalt. Meanwhile, Caleb and his crew, ignoring Leopold, found a metal rod and smashed it against the car's windows. The glass splintered, a spiderweb of cracks spreading across its surface.
As shards of glass rained down, Maura, closest to the window, yelped in pain. She frantically brushed glass fragments off her dress, forgetting the fight for the steering wheel.
Caleb's eyes glinted coldly as he wrenched open the door, his grip closing around Maura's arm. Sensing no immediate threat, 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 smugly.
But in one swift motion, Aurora grabbed Maura by the hair, 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 howled in agony, her head wrenched back. Her eyes, dark pools of hatred, bored into Aurora's unflinching gaze.
Undeterred, Aurora tightened her grip. With her free hand, she snatched a small fire extinguisher and swung it at Caleb's head. Cursing, Caleb barely dodged the blow. Damn it, he fumed. How can one high school girl be so tough? It's taking way too long to deal with her!
"Caleb, take this," Tom said, handing Caleb a wet handkerchief. Caleb snatched it 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 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 slipped away, leaving only confusion as her eyes fluttered shut.
"You're not going anywhere," Caleb growled, a twisted grin on his face. But while Caleb's temper simmered, Aurora remained eerily calm. Her fingers 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 Caleb found Maura a nuisance, well, so be it.
Caleb shoved Maura aside and lunged for Aurora, gripping her arm, trying to pull her out of the car. Tom flung the passenger door open and scrambled to seize control of the steering wheel. Caleb again pressed the handkerchief against Aurora's face, hoping to subdue her.
Aurora, however, wasn't giving up. She lashed out, her fingers aiming for Caleb's eyes, but Tom seized her arms, restraining her. Despite her fierce struggle, Aurora felt her consciousness fading, fury and helplessness mingling as darkness 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 in his voice. 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 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, glancing towards Leopold. Caleb's eyes flicked to Leopold, who hadn't moved. 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.