LOGINSo Elliot did not refuse outright. He still wanted to confirm things with someone he trusted.Julian paused before giving the order. "Go."Sydney did not have many enemies. The Hutton family might provide a lead.Caleb heard that Julian still had the energy to attend a gala. His brows drew together. "You still think it was Megan?"He had already raised the point with Julian. Megan had handed him the antidote herself. With her abilities, she should not have had a backup plan."You really think what happened today is something Megan could pull off?" Caleb pressed.Stealing a car, kidnapping someone, using fake plates, swapping vehicles—the entire chain of events had run flawlessly.Julian grabbed the coat from the back of the chair and walked out.…Elsewhere, Megan learned that Julian had gone to Hampton Corp. She also heard that he had taken the antidote.She exploded on the spot. In the gala hall's lounge, her fury boiled over and she smashed her phone."Caleb Hampton. Inde
Although the driver was nervous, his hands stayed steady on the wheel.The police officer who had been about to approach their car was called back by someone beside him.Sydney's heart leapt into her throat. This was likely her best chance to escape, a chance that would not drag Julian into danger.The windows were locked. She could not roll them down.Ignoring the pain burning across her scalp, she suddenly lunged toward the window and pounded against it with all her strength.Less than two seconds passed before a powerful force seized her from above and yanked her backward.Pain exploded through her body as she slammed into the seatback. Tears welled in her eyes as she cried out, "If you can't get out of Jouleston, Julian finding you is only a matter of time! When that happens, you'll all be finished. You might as well let me go now!"The bespectacled man knew she was not bluffing. That was exactly why they were trying to leave Jouleston as fast as possible. They feared Julian
Sydney's heart dropped to her stomach. If the people who had come for her were sent by Penelope, she might still have had a chance to escape.But these people were after Julian. She was the weak point they could exploit to control him. Worse, she had no idea who stood behind them.For now, they were still in Jouleston. As long as she could reach Julian, she had options. Once they left Jouleston, she would lose every advantage.She drew a quiet breath and forced herself to steady her thoughts. "Since you're targeting him, you'll need me to contact him sooner or later. If you let me go, I can help you lure him out."The bespectacled man froze for a beat, then broke into a mocking laugh. "Are you trying to help us trick him, or are you trying to trick me? You and Julian have what, ten years together? Maybe twenty?"His gaze drifted to Sydney's already noticeable belly. "And you're pregnant with his child. You really think you can turn on him that easily?""Normally, no." Sydney uncl
At this point, Dorothy no longer dared to stop him. She could hear the urgency in Julian's voice. The fact that he had not stormed straight into the family hall already showed restraint and respect for her help in obtaining the antidote.She turned to the housekeeper and spoke decisively. "Take Mr. Sterling to the family hall."Surprise flickered through Julian's eyes. Outsiders rarely gained access to the family hall. Given the urgency, he did not hesitate and headed there at once.George, who stood guard outside, looked up and flinched at the murderous chill on Julian's face. After the housekeeper explained the situation, he hurriedly said, "I'll go call Mr. Hampton right away.""No need."Before the words could fully register, Julian stepped straight into the hall.George reacted too late to stop him. Fortunately, the housekeeper spoke up in time. "The old madam allowed Mr. Sterling to enter."George froze, cold sweat spreading across his palms. No sound came from inside for
At first listen, Julian's words sounded calm. Yet only Elliot, who had followed him for so many years, could hear how wrong they felt.When had Julian ever spoken with such uncertainty?In Elliot's eyes, Julian had always been decisive and razor sharp, a man who never hesitated. A heavy weight settled in Elliot's chest, and for a moment, he could not find the words to speak.He wanted to say that Sydney had been clever since childhood, that she had survived safely even under Eloise's watch. This time would be no different. She would escape again.But he did not even know where she was. Her phone remained powered off. Something had already gone terribly wrong.In the driver's seat, Peter gripped the steering wheel until his knuckles whitened. His foot pressed the accelerator nearly to the floor as the car tore through traffic.Every second they saved increased the chance of Sydney returning safely.…When they reached the Hampton estate, a maid opened the gate. The moment she sa
On the phone, a mechanical female voice announced that the device was powered off.Marcus' unease surfaced at once. "Was that Mr. Hampton?""Yes." Julian's chest tightened. His expression darkened as he put his phone away and turned to Alan. "Something may have happened to Sydney. I need to find her immediately. I'll leave a few bodyguards here. If anything happens, you can—""All right, all right," Alan cut him off, no less anxious. "I don't need you worrying about me. Go find Sydney. Now."She was still pregnant. Nothing could happen to her. Regret crept in as Alan wondered if he should have stopped Sydney earlier, if he should have kept her from leaving at all.Marcus looked at Julian. "I'll go with you. Another person means more help.""I don't lack manpower." Julian refused without hesitation. "You stay here with Alan and confirm whether the antidote is safe."With that, he strode away with Elliot, not slowing for even a second.The moment they left the ward, the pressure







