Chapter 937: Ambushed

"Oscar's acting, but I'm not!" Hannah insisted, emphasizing each word.

Lillian's face hardened as she considered her ordeal. She had spent the entire day and night on the run, but thankfully, her father's training had equipped her with anti-detection skills. For at least a week, Oscar wouldn't find her. However, she couldn't guarantee her safety indefinitely. Leaving Northfield was impossible, and prolonged evasion would inevitably lead to discovery.

If Oscar found her, she knew he would kill her. Her father had always taught them to sever all ties with enemies to prevent their resurgence—a lesson tragically underscored by his gruesome death. But the ingrained belief remained, a deep-seated conviction in her and her siblings. Lillian couldn't fall into Oscar's hands.

Even death was preferable to falling into Oscar's grasp. Her self-respect wouldn't allow such a fate.

"I have no feelings for Oscar, believe it or not," Hannah said. "I contacted you solely for Una Wells."

"I don't believe you," Lillian gritted her teeth.

"Then why did you risk calling me back?" Hannah countered, exposing Lillian's deception.

Lillian's jaw clenched harder. Hannah was astute; her assessment was accurate. Lillian had turned on her phone only to check for messages from Oscar.

He had sent numerous messages, pleading for her return and emphasizing Una's importance to him. Yet, she hadn't trusted a single word.

Despite her distrust, she couldn't resist checking the messages. Just as she was about to angrily discard the phone, she saw a message from an unknown number—Hannah's.

She hesitated before dialing. Simultaneously, she understood that activating the device would alert Oscar's people to her approximate location via cell tower triangulation. She had already moved Una from their previous hiding place.

This call to Hannah represented a decision. Otherwise, she wouldn't have risked it. Lillian knew her fate was sealed, but she wanted to face it without excessive regret.

"Do you want to see me?" Lillian asked. Exposed by Hannah, she abandoned pretense.

"Yes."

"Do you want to save Una?"

"Yes."

Lillian laughed coldly. "I'll send you an address. Come find me."

"Okay," Hannah replied, a hint of excitement in her voice. Despite her composure, her fingers trembled.

"But Hannah, if you betray me, Una and I die. Don't underestimate me. Even though she's my daughter, I'll hurt her to save myself—because if I don't, Oscar will kill her. I'm not lying. I called because I've prepared for the worst! I can't leave Northfield; I'll die here, sooner or later."

Hannah didn't doubt her. She knew, from the call, that Lillian was at her breaking point. Fortunately, a lingering attachment to life remained, preventing a silent surrender to death.

"I won't lie. Give me the address," Hannah said.

"You have an hour. If you're not here, I won't wait."

"Okay."

Lillian hung up.

Hannah received the address and quickly located the place—a fifty-minute drive. Time was sufficient. She hailed a cab, her voice calm despite her racing heart.

The car radio blared news of the Commander's missing daughter, detailing the reward, contact information, and phone number.

The driver remarked, "I didn't expect this to happen to the Commander's daughter."

Hannah remained silent, her cap concealing her identity.

"Miss," the driver gossiped, "they say the child wasn't abducted, but taken by the Commander's wife! Apparently, only the wife and child survived the Collins family tragedy. Revenge for her husband, they say, but who knows?"

Hannah responded indifferently, "I just returned to the country. I'm not familiar with the local news."

The driver, sensing her disinterest, fell silent. After a while, he asked, "Miss, why such a remote place so late?" It was already dark; she'd arrived in the capital before noon.

"I have a friend there."

"A girl should be careful alone at night," the driver warned kindly.

Hannah nodded.

Then, Hannah thought of something. "Sir, are you familiar with this area? My friend asked me to come, but I've never been here and I'm afraid of getting lost."

"As a taxi driver, I know the area. There's nothing there—an abandoned pier, rarely used. If you go there now, you might not get a ride back!"

"It's fine. My friend is nearby."

"Okay."

As they drove further into the deserted darkness, Hannah's unease grew. Reaching the destination, she paid and exited the cab.

Before her lay desolation. Under the dark sky, the barren landscape felt terrifying.

She immediately called Lillian. "I'm here. Where are you?"

"Share your location," Lillian replied curtly, hanging up.

Hannah shared her location and waited. As doubt crept in, a blow to the head from behind plunged her into unconsciousness.