Chapter 5
Chapter 5:
She slumped into her seat, exhaling deeply, her lips curling into a smile of satisfaction. In her mind, the family was finally rid of an unwelcome burden.
Yelena walked out into the crisp evening air, the villa shrinking behind her. Her phone buzzed in her pocket, and she answered it without breaking stride.
“Yelena, I heard that they kicked you out?” Brody Hewitt’s voice was sharp, brimming with agitation.
“They did,” Yelena replied evenly, her tone calm but resolute.
There was a pause, and then Brody’s voice hardened.
“Those people are absolutely shameless!” Brody’s voice crackled through the phone, brimming with indignation. “They’re the definition of fair-weather friends. Without you, Jonathan Roberts would still be floundering in obscurity. They don’t even realize that you were the reason for their success p>
“That’s enough,” Yelena cut in, her voice calm but firm. “Any updates on my biological parents p>
Jonathan had claimed it was a mistake at the hospital, a mix-up rather than an intentional act of abandonment. That distinction lingered in Yelena’s mind, fueling her determination to find her family.
Brody exhaled audibly, reining in his frustration. “Yes, the search is in progress. We should have concrete results soon p>
“Good,” Yelena replied crisply, ending the call without another word.
As she approached the main road, a sharp, metallic scent drifted on the cold breeze, cutting through the night air. She stopped mid-step, her brows furrowing as unease prickled at the back of her neck.
A figure emerged from the shadows, staggering toward her. His white shirt was soaked in blood, the crimson staining his chest and hands. Each step he took seemed heavier than the last, his strength visibly waning.
𝗥𝖊𝖆𝗱 𝗮𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝖔𝗇𝖑𝗒 𝗮𝘁
“Stop running, coward! Accept your fate!” a menacing voice shouted from behind him.
Yelena’s gaze darted to the source of the commotion. A group of men, dressed in black, stalked after the injured man like predators closing in on their prey. Their movements were deliberate, their intent clear.
The injured man—Austin Barton—paused, swaying but defiant. His face was pallid, his breaths shallow, yet his voice held steel. “Who are you working for p>
“Shut it! We’re done talking.” The man then turned to his group. “Let’s finish him off already p>
“Wait.” Another man halted abruptly, his gaze shifting to the side. “There’s someone else here p>
Yelena froze as all eyes turned to her.
Her heart sank. Perfect. Just perfect. Today had been a series of escalating disasters, and now this.
It was painfully clear these men had no intention of leaving witnesses behind.
The cause of her predicament stood before her—the bloodied man staggering in her direction.
The leader of the group, a hulking figure with a cruel smirk, stepped forward. His eyes roamed over her, lingering too long, and his lips curled into something predatory.
The men around him chuckled darkly, their laughter carrying an undercurrent of vile intent.