Chapter 54

Bella rushed out of the elevator, her heart racing as she shoved past the employees who greeted her with puzzled glances. Her mind was consumed with a singular thought: get to Kate. She stormed down the hallway,her footsteps echoing with urgency, until she reached her daughter's office.The door flew open with a crash, startling Kate, who looked up, eyes wide with surprise.

"Mom, what are you doing here?" Kate asked, confusion and concern mixing in her tone.

Without a word. Bella rushed in, her hands gripping Kate's arms as she yanked her to her feet. Kate stumbled, caught off guard by the force. "Why are you pulling me? What's going on?" she demanded, her voice sharp with alarm.

"We need to leave," Bella said, her voice taut with panic, the words a command rather than a suggestion.

Kate's confusion deepened. "What do you mean, we need to leave? And let go of my hand,Mom."

Bella released her but began pacing back and forth, her movements sharp and agitated. Kate could feel the tension radiating from her mother, and something in her gut told her this was more than just a fleeting moment of anxiety. "What's going on, Mom?" she asked, her voice steady despite the rising dread in her chest. "We need to leave," Bella repeated, this time her eyes flashing with intensity as she turned to face her. The urgency in her tone made Kate's heart skip a beat. Leave? What do you mean?" Kate's voice wavered slightly as she stood frozen, trying to process her mother's frantic words.

Bella's eyes locked onto hers with an unblinking stare. "The man I hired to eliminate the gang leader has gone missing. That means Alexander already has him. And... I've just heard word from the people watching him. They said he was taken by a group of men. I'm sure it's Alexander's people."

Kate's breath caught in her throat, a cold wave of dread washing over her."What??" she gasped, her mind reeling with the implications.

"Keep your voice down," Bella hissed, her hand gripping Kate's wrist,pulling her closer. "Don't let anyone hear."

Kate's mind raced, her pulse quickening. "You mean he already knows...about Lilly's sisters? About the accident with his sister?" Fear surged through her as she realized the weight of Bella's words.

"Yes," Bella whispered harshly, "which is why we need to leave now. It's only a matter of time before he comes for us."

Kate's thoughts scrambled, her mind racingfor a solution. "Leave? Where to?"

Bella's eyes darkened with resolve. "We have to flee the country. We're not safe here anymore. I'll have one of our most trusted maids bring our valuables to a safe location. We need to withdraw every penny from our accounts, then leave by ship. I've already made arrangements." Kate froze. The idea of abandoning everything, her position, her life, was almost unthinkable. Yet the cold dread in her stomach told her there was no other choice. Bella grabbed her hand again. pulling her toward the door. "Come on, we don't have time to waste."

But Kate didn't move. She stood there, her mind reeling with what her mother had just proposed. Bella turned sharply, her expression fierce."Kate!! There's no time to think about what we're leaving behind.If we don't leave now, we're dead."

Kate's face drained of color as the realization hit her.′′Ithere no other way?" she whispered, her voice trembling.

Bella's gaze softened for a moment, but only just. "Not right now. The only way to save ourselves is to run."

Kate nodded. though her mind was still clouded with doubt and fear. But Bella had already started pulling her toward the exit, leading her through the back halls of the company. As they moved swiftly, Kate could only wonder how deep the web of lies and betrayal had gone. There was no turning back now.

"I'll visit you every day, Sandra. Goodbye," Lilly whispered softly,standing just outside the ICU room. The doctor had said her sister's condition was improving, but she still lay unconscious, trapped in a coma. They were waiting for the moment she would wake up, but that moment seemed so distant. Alexander stood next to her, his eyes tender as he gazed at his sister. "Get welI soon, Sandra," he said, his voice low with emotion.′′Bythe time you wake up, those responsible for this will pay with their lives." Lilly could see the fire of vengeance in his eyes, and she placed a hand over his, offering what little comfort she could.

Just then, Alexander's phone buzzed. He glanced at it but didn't answer.Lilly raised an eyebrow.

"It might be important," she suggested softly.

Reluctantly, Alexander answered the call. "What is it?" His tone was sharp,the impatience clear.

"They've figured out we have the gang leader and the assassin. They're planning to flee the country," James reported, urgency in his voice.

Alexander's eyes darkened. He looked at Lilly, his expression unreadable."Your stepmother and stepsister are planning to escape."

"What?" Lilly's heart sank. The idea of Bella and Kate fleeing now, after everything that had happened, filled her with dread. If they escaped,they would never face justice for what they had done.

"I'll send the driver and a few men to get you to your grandfather's place.Once you've told him the truth, he can follow you to the base. By then, we'1l have caught them," Alexander promised, his voice steady with determination.

Lilly's heart was heavy with the weight of the situation, but she nodded."Okay. Promise me you'll catch them."

"There's no way they can escape," Alexander assured her. He kissed her forehead gently. "Please, stay safe." "I will," Lilly said softly, her heart aching as she watched him leave to meet James. Lilly arrived at the Blake estate later that day, her mind a whirlwind of thoughts. Victor greeted her at the door, his face a picture of polite respect.

"Welcome,Young Miss," he said, bowing slightly.

"Thank you, Uncle," Lilly smiled faintly. "Where's Grandfather?"

"He's waiting for you."

Lilly followed him toward her grandfather's study, but as they neared the door, something stopped her in her tracks. Victor turned to look at her.

"Is something wrong, Young Miss?" he asked, his concern evident.

Lilly hesitated, then shook her head. "You can go back, Victor. I'll go in alone."

Victor studied her for a moment, sensing the tension in her demeanor.But he nodded and stepped back, leaving her standing before the door.

Taking a deep breath, Lilly steeled herself. She knocked on the door,then entered at the sound of her grandfather's voice.

Inside,Caleb sat at his desk, writing as always. When he saw her,he smiled warmly,setting down his pen and walking over to embrace her.The hug was unexpected, and Lilly's heart clenched in both surprise and longing. She hadn't realized how much she had missed her grandfather's embrace. "Good day, Grandfather," she greeted softly as he pulled away. Caleb frowned as he examined her face. "You look unwell. Why didn't you rest instead of coming here?" Lilly smiled faintly. "There's something I need to tell you."

Her grandfather's expression softened,sensing the gravity of the situation."What is it, my child?"

Lilly swallowed, gathering the strength to speak. "I don't know how to tell you this, Grandfather," she whispered, her voice trembling. "But... my sisters and mnother, they were killed by..."

Caleb's gaze sharpened. "You know who did it?"

Lilly nodded, her heart heavy. "Yes, I know. I've been investigating. And right now, as we speak, the assassin is locked up at one of Alexander's bases."

The words hung in the air, a chilling truth settling into the room.