Chapter 57
Chapter 57:
Noticing her obvious anxiety, the ticket agent hesitated briefly before continuing. “There’s a final flight to Peudon tonight. It leaves in two hours p>
“Please process it quickly. Thank you p>
He slid her ID into the reader — and his face fell. “I’m sorry, ma’am. I’m unable to issue you a ticket p>
Kristine had expected this. Her identification number was flagged, automatically blocking any purchase. Even so, she had to get back to Peudon.
“I have a genuine emergency. Is there any way to make an exception?” she said, her voice low and pleading.
The agent shifted uncomfortably, regret in his eyes. “I wish I could help, but it’s out of my hands p>
Watching his helplessness, Kristine felt hope begin to slip away. Her gaze moved to the car parked just outside. If she drove all the way back, Monica might have already sold everything.
A surge of determination moved through her. She looked at the agent with renewed resolve. “I’m sorry about this p>
T𝗿en𝗱іn𝘨 ոо𝘃е𝗅s 𝘰𝗻
Startled, he asked, “What are you planning to do p>
Without hesitation, Kristine pressed her palms to the counter, vaulted over, and landed beside him. Before he could react, she seized the mouse from his hand and began navigating through the computer. Using his internal credentials, she quickly entered the ticketing system. One more click, and she could secure her way out of Gridron.
Her eyes stayed fixed on the monitor, tension holding her breath captive.
Then a cold voice cut through the noise. “Kristine p>
She looked up. Colton was moving quickly toward her. A spike of panic shot through her chest, and her hand trembled.
“You’re not going anywhere!” His words rang out across the vast terminal and closed in around her.
Her hands shook.
When she looked again, he was already right in front of her. Tears burned at the corners of her eyes, and her voice came out icy. “What if I refuse to stay p>
“The second you purchase that ticket, the police will arrive. Pushing this further will only make things worse for you p>
Kristine managed a sorrowful smile. “Does it matter? Even if the police catch up, I would rather take my chances and get out of here than spend the rest of my life regretting that I stayed p>
Shock flickered briefly through Colton’s narrowed eyes. “Why are you so desperate to return to Peudon p>
A wave of hopelessness crossed her face.
He could never truly understand what those antiques meant to her. They were her father’s final gift — her only remaining link to him, the last pieces of her past she could still hold onto. Monica saw no value in them beyond their price. To her, they were simply things to sell. If Kristine did not get back soon, there would be nothing left.
She lowered her gaze and clicked to confirm the purchase.
A hush fell over the crowded terminal, as though time had paused.
The sound of the ticket printing sliced through the stillness.
In an instant, Colton vaulted over the counter and closed the distance in a heartbeat. He seized her with a grip she could not break.