Chapter 142
Chapter 142:
Once she had eaten, Vance never appeared in person. He reached her by phone instead.
Silence stretched between them until Vance finally broke it. “Kristine, it’s me. I’m sorry for the way I brought you there p>
“So,” Kristine said, “you were the one who had me taken p>
“Not directly. I hired someone reliable. Don’t worry — no one will find out where you are p>
A wave of complicated emotion swept through Kristine. “Can you tell me what’s really going on p>
𝘠о𝘂𝘳 𝖽𝖺𝗶𝘭𝗒 𝖽o𝘴𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝗇о𝗏elѕ on ѕ.cо𝘮
Vance hesitated, a note of embarrassment in his voice. “It all started when I heard about your wedding to Mr. Yates p>
Learning that Kristine and Colton were finally tying the knot had left Vance both glad and devastated — glad that Kristine was getting what she had always wanted, but certain it meant he had lost his chance with her for good.
Then, just days ago, he had watched from outside the hotel as Colton dragged Kristine away. Everything he thought he knew had fallen into doubt. Did Kristine truly want this wedding?
“I started to think you weren’t marrying Mr. Yates by choice. So I arranged for someone to be at the hotel. I never thought it would actually work p>
Vance’s explanation was brief, but only he knew the sleepless nights he had spent mapping out escape routes, coordinating people, and making sure every detail fell into place.
“But hiding me in your home is dangerous,” Kristine cautioned. “If Colton finds out, he’ll come after you p>
She understood Colton better than most. Crossing him was never something anyone survived unscathed.
“Don’t worry,” Vance assured her. “By the time Mr. Yates catches on, you’ll be long gone. Without proof, he can’t touch me p>
A surge of gratitude welled up in Kristine. “Thank you, Vance. Really p>
Vance’s voice softened. “For now, you’ll be safest in my hometown. It’s a tiny seaside village with only a few tens of thousands of people, and most of the younger ones have already moved away for work. The town is mostly elderly folks who barely use the internet. No one there will recognize you. Lay low for a while, and when the coast is clear, I’ll help you leave Gridron altogether p>
“Thank you, Vance,” Kristine said quietly.
“It’s no trouble at all.” He glanced at the clock. “I have to go. If anything comes up, let Helen know. She’s at Gridron University but comes home every weekend p>
“All right p>
With nothing left to say, Vance ended the call.
Left alone, Kristine stared at the phone in her hand, barely able to believe her own freedom. At last, she had escaped Colton’s reach.
She walked slowly to the window and looked out over the endless blue sea. The waves danced and tumbled, wild and unrestrained — a mirror of her newfound freedom.
High above the clouds, Colton sat in the plane, his expression darkening as Bobby delivered the latest update over the phone. “We still haven’t found any sign of Ms. Green p>
“Useless team!” Colton snapped, his words cutting not just at Bobby but at every investigator gathered nearby.