Chapter 611

“Quickly! Start the car!” Zoe urged, clearly anxious.

Sidney hesitated, torn between engaging the attackers and escaping. With a resigned sigh, he floored the gas pedal, and the car sped off, leaving the pursuing group choking on dust and exhaust.

They were safe.

Zoe breathed a sigh of relief. Wiping the sweat from her face, she said, “Thank you.”

Sidney continued driving, saying, “What trouble did you get into this time? Need my help sorting it out?”

“No need,” Zoe waved dismissively, accustomed to such situations. “Drop me off at the next intersection. They won’t catch up. I’ll go home alone.”

“What if they’re waiting?” Sidney glanced at her. “Do you think you can escape them on your way home?”

Zoe fell silent. Brittany’s usual ambush point was her only route home. Brittany likely knew her address, explaining their presence there. Returning now risked capture.

Running her fingers through her hair, Zoe spotted a hardware store. “I’ll stop and get something for self-defense,” she said. “I can’t keep hiding. I’ll fight if I have to!”

Sidney’s eye twitched. He gave Zoe another look, doubt in his gaze. “Are you sure you’re a girl?”

Zoe glared skeptically. “What, you want to fight?”

“Alright, you are,” Sidney said, pulling over.

Zoe went into the hardware store. She bought a sturdy wrench and pepper spray. Her familiarity with the process made Sidney chuckle.

Standing nearby, Zoe looked cute with her short, fluffy hair and chubby frame. Her large eyes radiated vibrant energy and liveliness, revealing every emotion. Sidney recalled a previous incident where he’d mistakenly thought she was suicidal, her tear-filled eyes making her seem fragile. Otherwise, she was a hero, handling everything independently.

Sidney squinted, a different thought arising. He pressed a hand to his chest. My heart’s racing? he thought, momentarily stunned. He snapped out of it when Zoe tapped his shoulder. She said, “Your face looked… distracted. What are you thinking about? It’s still daylight.”

Sidney’s expression darkened. “Did you get everything? Can we go?”

“I’ve got everything,” Zoe replied.

“Then let’s go.” Perhaps to relieve his frustration, Sidney drove at full speed. In under five minutes, they were back at the alley.

Chapter 611

Brittany fumed. She’d brought many people, yet Zoe had escaped. Just as she was raging, she saw the sports car speed back. Zoe exited.

Brittany’s eyes lit up. “Oh, you dare come back! Girls, get her!”

The girls surrounded Zoe. No one noticed the driver was the infamous Pauley family heir from Lovell City.

Sidney felt a headache coming on. Rubbing his forehead, he stepped out. “Had enough fun?” he asked, his target unclear.

Zoe gripped the pepper spray, ready to use it. She heard Sidney and frowned. “Stay back!” she warned. A wide-area attack could hurt him.

Unbeknownst to Zoe, Sidney wasn’t addressing her. Brittany froze, her aggression vanishing. She approached Sidney, whispering, “Sidney, what are you doing here?”

Zoe was stunned. “You two are in cahoots?” she asked. Oh no, he’ll help his cousin, not me… she thought.

Zoe clenched the pepper spray. Her eyes stung; it might have leaked. A large hand snatched the bottle. Sidney’s face was inches from hers.

Zoe stood firm. “If you want to fight, then fight.”

Brittany felt satisfaction. She tugged at Sidney’s sleeve. “Sidney, you’re the best! I knew you’d help!”

Sidney looked at Brittany confusedly. “Help you? Are we that close?”

He left with Zoe, warning Brittany, “Get lost. Do this again, and you’ll face the consequences.” The Pauley family wasn't to be trifled with.

The girls were stunned. “What’s going on? Why did Mr. Pauley side with an outsider? Isn’t she his cousin?”

“Exactly! He sided with an outsider!” another added.

Brittany’s eyes reddened. “Don’t ask me! Get lost! All of you!” They scattered.

Sidney drove Zoe home. Feeling dizzy, Zoe asked, “Aren’t you Brittany’s cousin? Why did you help me?”

“I don’t consider myself her cousin,” Sidney said indifferently. “We’re distantly related. I can’t keep track of every distant relative.”

Zoe understood. “I see.”

Her mood lightened. She might have resented Sidney if they were close. This eased her mind.

Zoe smiled. “Thanks for helping me. Want a drink?”

Chapter 611

“Sure,” Sidney agreed readily.