Chapter 344

Suddenly, a heavy weight settled in Sienna’s heart. Her eyes glazed over, darkening with the harsh realization: Josiah wouldn't come. Alone, she might have had a chance. But with Yvette present, she'd never held any advantage. Every time they competed for Josiah's attention, he had chosen her—never.

Fear gripped her. Her eyes misted, her lashes trembling as she looked at her captor. Trying to remain calm, her shaky voice betrayed the unease flooding her heart. "What do you want to do with me?"

The person looked away. "Since you have no value, keeping you means nothing to us."

Sienna didn't understand. Then, she saw the person approach, knife in hand, moving behind her. Suddenly, the ropes binding her hands were cut.

With her hands free, Sienna tore off the tape from her mouth and loosened the rope around her ankles. But then she heard the person say, "Ms. Shaw, the rest depends on you." She wondered what that meant. When she looked up, the person had already rushed to the door and slammed it shut.

"Hey! Don't go!" Sienna tried to follow, but the ropes on her feet were too tight. When she finally freed her legs and reached the door, it wouldn't open.

Frowning, Sienna pushed against the locked door. She didn't understand why they were keeping her confined. "Open the door! Open it!" she pounded, shouting until her voice was raw. "Is anyone there? Open the door! Please let me out!"

Sienna searched for another exit, but the cargo dock had no windows. Suddenly, she smelled something strange. "What is that smell?"

Sienna wrinkled her nose, inhaling deeply, then a chilling fear washed over her. "No…" She recognized the smell—the disastrous fire from her terrible year in the Fliraty slums.

"It's on fire!" Sienna rushed to the door, banging frantically. "Is anyone there? Can anyone hear me? Please, open the door!"

At Emerald Ridge, west of the city, Yvette was tied to a chair, much like Sienna. A man entered and untied her. "What do you want?" she demanded.

Yvette ripped off the tape, rubbing her wrists while glaring angrily. "Do you know who I am? The Flynn family won't let this slide!"

The man looked at her. "Be quiet. We won't hurt you. Just behave, and you'll be free soon." He left. She wondered if she could trust him. Although they hadn't spoken much, she suspected they were sent by the Evans family, allies of those in Lacustria.

Why did they take me? Yvette thought. What are they planning? To threaten Josiah? No! I have to escape; I can't burden him! She scanned the cheap hotel room. It was on the second floor.

Yvette quickly tore the sheets and duvet cover from the bed, tying them together and dragging the bed to the window. Using the makeshift rope, she secured one end to the bed frame and threw the other out the window. Taking a deep breath, she climbed out, inching down. But the sheet fell short.

Gritting her teeth, she closed her eyes and jumped. Her kneecap slammed against the ground, sending pain shooting through her body, but she scrambled to her feet and ran.

"That woman is escaping!"

"Over there!"

"Come back!"

They quickly realized she had jumped from the window and gave chase. Yvette screamed, running blindly, but they had cars. She burst from the hotel onto the main road, desperately trying to flag down a car.

Seeing an approaching car, she darted forward. "Stop! Stop!" But the car was moving too fast. The surprised driver couldn't brake in time, swerving and grazing her side.

"Ah…" Yvette let out a chilling scream, her voice piercing the night. The pursuers arrived, blocking the road. Ahead, a sleek black Bentley screeched to a halt, and Josiah stepped out.

Andy's men visibly tensed at Josiah's arrival. "Mr. Evans!"

Josiah surveyed the scene, his eyes narrowing. "Where is she?"

"She… she…" The leader pointed to the roadside. "Mr. Evans, it's not our fault. She chose to run…"

Josiah's eyes widened with rage. Sienna was hit… He sprinted toward the roadside, towards the fragile figure.

"Sienna!" Josiah gasped, gathering her into his arms. But it wasn't Sienna. Lifting her hair revealed Yvette's pale face.

Yvette? What's going on? Why is Yvette here, and where is Sienna? A chilling thought struck him. He quickly called Zach. "Zach!"

"Mr. Flynn!" Zach answered urgently.

Josiah felt a terrible premonition. "Have you found Sienna? Is she okay?"

"Not yet." The dock was far, and Zach hadn't arrived. Then, Zach realized, "Mr. Flynn, you mean Sienna! I thought it was Yvette at the dock…"

"It's Sienna!" Josiah's throat tightened. "Sienna is at the east dock! Zach, hurry! Find Sienna!"

After a brief hesitation, Zach insisted, "I'll be there right away!"

"Okay!"

Ending the call, Josiah lifted his gaze. "James!"

"Mr. Flynn, I'm here." James rushed over.

Josiah instructed, "You stay here and wait for the ambulance!" He had to reach the dock.