Chapter 2071: A Frantic Escape

"Mom, someone's following the car that just left. With Lucian's influence in Horington, escaping the mansion will be difficult," Yuliana said, gently parting the curtains to observe the unusually quiet neighborhood. She was certain they were being watched from the neighboring mansions. She'd sent two investigators ahead in a car, not to find the heirloom, but to distract Lucian. She made a call: "It's time to leave."

In the courtyard, Yosef's vehicle headlights illuminated the two investigators already seated inside, ready for their trip to the airport. Yuliana believed the cars were heading to locations Lucian anticipated, drawing attention away from their real escape. Soon, a report came: "Ms. Yuliana, we're being followed."

"Ignore them. Take a longer route, and watch for the ten o'clock flight," Yuliana instructed.

Upstairs, she nodded to Yosef, whose lazy demeanor had vanished after Yuliana's warning about losing his arm—or worse—if they failed. The threat terrified him. How am I supposed to play poker paralyzed? he wondered. He still didn't understand why his mother implicated him in Roxanne's mother's poisoning; he was only five. Despite his doubts, he followed Yuliana's plan. He plunged the upstairs common area into darkness.

The three quietly descended, carrying only their identification and bundled in thick winter clothing. They reached the connected underground parking lots—a detail Yuliana hoped Lucian's men overlooked—where a second car awaited. Yuliana, having planned this escape since her afternoon arrival (in a high-priced taxi to avoid suspicion), smoothly maneuvered them into the vehicle. She closed all the windows before heading towards the southern exit, farthest from the mansion.

Only an elderly security guard was at the gate. The parking system flagged the taxi's five-hour stay, prompting a payment demand. Yuliana tossed him two banknotes, muttering, "Keep the change. Emergency. Let us through!"

His eyes widening, he lifted the boom gate. Their hearts pounded. Yuliana accelerated, merging into traffic.

"No one noticed!" Yosef reported, scanning the surroundings. Winnie, equally anxious, agreed. "Yuliana, where now?"

Yuliana, heart racing, inhaled deeply. "The small pier. We're leaving Horington for Gishwick. It's closer to Gerton."

They felt a sliver of hope. Unbeknownst to them, the security guard had already reported the taxi's registration number.