It was past 9 p.m. when the party at the Commanderie Winery ended. Guests were gradually leaving, and the lively venue became increasingly quiet.
"Nina, have you found her yet?"
Kate and Lima, with their long legs striding quickly, returned to the hall.
"No!" Nina shook her head. "I just called Eve, but when I turned around, Miranda was gone. She's not answering her phone either."
"Could she have gone on a date?" Lima asked, frowning. The winery party was essentially a matchmaking event. Besides the invited models, the guests were wealthy people—wine merchants, bankers, politicians, even movie stars. After drinking, it wasn't uncommon for someone to hook up for a one-night stand.
"No, I wouldn't mind if she went on a date. If she had plans for the night, she just needed to let me know so I could adjust her schedule. But she didn't say anything, and her phone's off. Something must've happened," Nina said anxiously, feeling a bit guilty. Miranda was new to the fashion scene and unfamiliar with many of the unspoken rules. If something bad happened, Nina, as her manager, would be responsible.
"Nina, don't worry. Let's keep looking. Lima, message your people at the company. There are so many familiar faces here; I can't believe anyone could sneak Miranda away unnoticed."
"Okay!"
The three agreed and immediately began making calls and sending messages.
"Hey, Michelle! Have you seen Miranda? You know, the girl with the round face and dimples? Thanks!"
"Bonjour, Marie! Did you see Miranda, the one with the dimples? Okay, thank you!"
Kate made several calls but got no news. She looked at Lima helplessly.
Lima shook her head. "A lot of people have their phones off. Should we call the police?"
"It's useless. There are too many embarrassing incidents at parties like this. The French don't care, and their response time is notoriously slow." Kate shrugged, saying nothing more.
"Nina, how about you?" Kate asked as she saw Nina come downstairs.
Nina sighed. "The estate's butler said not all the guests tonight were invited. There were some strangers. Now that the event's over, we can't contact them."
"Is that all we can do?"
The three were feeling deflated. None of them had connections in France, so there wasn't much they could do in a situation like this.
**Ding Dong.**
As they were heading outside, dejected, Kate's phone chimed with a message.
"Huh, it's from Bündchen," Kate said, opening the message with a curious expression. "Nina, Bündchen said she saw Miranda, drunk, being helped into a silver-gray Maserati Quattroporte. It just left the parking lot, but its destination is unknown."
"Really? Why would Bündchen tell you that?" Lima asked, frowning.
"Let's not worry about that now. We should catch up with them first," Kate said, walking quickly. "If Miranda got in willingly, we'll apologize. If she was forced—"
"She didn't get in willingly. Miranda wasn't drunk tonight," Nina interjected, frowning.
"Then we really need to catch up!"
At the parking lot, Kate shouted, "Gina, drive as fast as you can eastbound. If you see the Maserati Quattroporte, follow it immediately!"
"Okay, Kate, but I don't recognize a Maserati Quattroporte," Gina hesitated.
"I'll go with you!" Nina and her assistant quickly jumped into the car.
"Alright, you head east, Lima and I will go west. Let's move!"
**Vroom!**
Gina, driving Kate's temporary car, sped out of the estate.
"Lima, let's go!" Kate shouted as she followed in Lima's car.
Under the moonlight, the two cars sped off in opposite directions, kicking up dust along the roads of the Bordeaux estate, leaving slower cars behind.
"Kate, slow down!" Lima shouted, holding onto the car's handle as they bounced along the rough road.
"I can't slow down! Miranda's definitely been drugged. Damn men, using such despicable methods. When I catch him, I'll kick his head off!" Kate shouted, revving the engine. Her delicate face flushed with excitement, like a warrior ready for battle.
"Kate, you need to stay calm," Lima shouted over the noise. "Why would Bündchen tell you this? What if she's lying? What if it's a trap? The people at this party are powerful, and anyone driving a Maserati Quattroporte must be someone important. If we offend them, the consequences could be severe."
"I know, I know, but what can we do?" Kate shouted over the roaring engine. "Luca always said, if you want something, you have to act immediately, while there's still time. I want to find Miranda, so I'm going to do it—while I still can. If something happens to Miranda, Nina will feel guilty for the rest of her life."
"Alright, alright!" Lima smiled wryly. Kate's reckless behavior reminded her of Luca, who once risked his life to save someone. Both siblings were equally wild.
She pulled out her phone and called Bündchen.
"Hey, Bündchen, did you really see Miranda get in the car? This is serious. I hope you're not playing games."
"Hoho, Lima, am I that kind of person? I just can't stand that b*tch Kate. But yeah, I really saw Miranda being helped into a car."
Under the moonlight, Bündchen sipped red wine, her long legs crossed, smiling faintly in her moving car.
**Vroom!**
Just then, a Ferrari sped past her window. "Wow, was that your car? Are you really going to rescue Miranda? Haha, how thrilling! Kate's still as impulsive as ever.
"Haha, one thing I forgot to mention—the person who helped Miranda into the car was Raul Balmey. Do you really dare to take her from him?"
"Kate, Bündchen said it was Raul, that short, sleazy guy from the party," Lima relayed, covering the phone.
"Who cares? Even if it were the president of France, I'm stopping that car," Kate growled, then grabbed the phone and shouted, "Bündchen, you better not be lying to me, or I'll make sure Luca sleeps with you."
**Pfft!**
Bündchen spat out her wine, blushing furiously. "Fine, I'll be waiting!" she muttered through gritted teeth before hanging up.
Kate paused, staring at the phone in disbelief. "She actually said she'd wait? Could it be that she likes Luca too? Haha, Lima, looks like you've got competition!"
Lima rolled her eyes, grabbing the phone. "You're way too impulsive. I was going to ask her which road Raul took, but forget it. Let's ask someone else."
"Alright."
**Ring, ring!**
Kate's phone rang again.
"Kate, we found the car! We tried to pull it over, but it wouldn't stop. It even rammed into us! What should we do?"
Gina shouted over the phone.
"Force it off the road, we're almost there."
**Bang!**
Before Kate could finish her sentence, a gunshot rang out through the phone.
(End of chapter)
**Chapter 110: The Police Arrive**
"Why was there gunfire?"
Kate screeched the car to a halt.
"Gina, are you all okay? Be careful, don't get too close."
There was no response from the other end of the phone. After a moment, Gina finally replied, "Kate, we're all fine. It's just that the glass on the right side of the car was shattered."
"Gina, be careful. Whether you catch up to them or not, prioritize your safety."
"Understood!"
Bang! Bang!
Two more gunshots echoed through the phone.
"We need to get there and provide support."
Kate gripped the steering wheel tightly, spinning the car around on the narrow road. The tires screeched as they rubbed against the pavement.
"Lima, maybe you should get out and wait?"
Kate was getting ready for some high-speed driving.
"No need. You think I'm a coward like Luca? Step on it!"
Lima pumped her fist and shouted, "GOGOGO," as if she was playing a video game.
"GOOOOO!"
Under the moonlight, the silver Ferrari sped eastward on the vineyard road like a streak of light.
After more than ten minutes, they finally spotted Gina's Porsche and the Maserati Quattroporte ahead on the section leading to the A10 highway.
The Maserati was speeding ahead, with Gina's car close behind, only about ten meters apart.
"Nina, are you guys okay?"
Kate called to check.
"We're fine, but we're about to hit the highway. Raul is driving a sports car. Once we get on the highway, we won't be able to keep up."
Nina sounded worried.
"Is there any way to contact Raul and try to talk him down?"
Kate frowned as she asked.
"No use, his phone is off."
"So what do we do now?"
Kate glanced at the highway ahead. There were quite a few cars on the road. Once they got on the highway, they would likely lose them.
Raul Balme was a notorious playboy and pervert. If they didn't rescue Miranda soon, who knew what would happen?
"Nina, pass the phone to Gina. How about we force his car to stop together? My car is fast; I'll go ahead and interfere. Gunfire? I'll be careful."
Kate hung up the phone and said to Lima, "It's about to get real. Buckle up and keep your head down."
"OK!"
Lima gave a thumbs-up. "Kate, you be careful too."
"Don't worry, I got out of Rio alive."
Kate snorted coldly, her lips curving into a smirk as she floored the gas pedal.
Vroom!
The Ferrari quickly overtook the two cars, taking the lead.
Bang!
The opponent fired again, shattering the rear window.
"Lima, get down!"
Kate shouted, pulling Lima down with her.
The car slowed down and was hit heavily from behind, screeching as it veered to the side.
"Hahaha, come on, chase me!"
On the Maserati, a man with a face full of freckles waved his fist and shouted.
"Bastard! If I had a gun, I'd shoot him dead!"
Kate was furious. If this were Rio in Brazil, she would have already shot that jerk to pieces. How dare he act so arrogantly?
She revved the engine hard, pushing the car to its maximum speed. When the two cars were side by side, she immediately swung the front of her car and crashed into them hard.
Bang! The Maserati twisted and turned, almost flipping over.
"Hmph, you wouldn't know how tough us Brazilian women are until we show you," Kate said smugly, raising her chin.
"FUCK! Damn woman, I'm going to kill you!"
Suddenly, a man covered in blood stuck his upper body out of the car window, holding a double-barreled shotgun.
"Lima, watch out!"
Kate shouted, pushing Lima down. They both ducked their heads.
Bang!
The windshield shattered into pieces.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
The man fired three more shots.
"Bastard!"
Kate quickly swerved the car, screeching to a stop.
"Hahaha, stupid woman, trying to race me? You're not even close!"
The freckled guy leaned out of the car window, his bloody face grinning hideously under the moonlight.
Vroom~
Suddenly, a truck came rushing down from the highway. The driver of the Maserati quickly turned the steering wheel, narrowly avoiding the truck.
But as he turned, something was thrown out of the car with a swoosh.
"Nooooooo!"
A shrill scream echoed through the air.
Thud!
A heavy object fell to the ground on the highway.
Screech!
The truck, the Maserati, and the Porsche that had just caught up all screeched to a stop.
The air suddenly became very quiet, even the sound of dust and moonlight falling could be heard.
"Kate, Lima, are you alright?"
In the chaotic crash scene, Nina got out of the car and shouted loudly.
"We're fine, just nearly got shot. That was intense."
Kate and Lima got out of the car together.
"Kate, I'm sorry, I didn't coordinate well just now."
Gina ran over, apologizing.
"Gina, your car is slower. No need to blame yourself. Go check if Miranda is still in the car."
"Okay!"
Gina followed Nina to the Maserati.
"Miranda's in the car, she's safe!"
After a while, Gina shouted from afar.
"Whew~"
Lima let out a long breath.
"Kate, my legs are a bit weak."
"Me too. When the bullet flew past the top of my head, my hair stood on end. What a jerk!"
Kate sat on the hood, taking a few deep breaths.
"Want a cigarette?"
Kate took out a pack of lady's cigarettes from the car window.
"You smoke?!"
"Used to."
Kate lit two thin cigarettes with a match. She took a puff and handed the other to Lima.
"I quit to set a good example for Luca."
Kate blew a puff of smoke at the moon. The air was filled with a hint of mint, a refreshing scent amidst the gasoline smell on the road.
"You're a good sister."
"Of course I am."
Kate curved her lips and glanced at her. "You smoke too?"
"You call this smoking?"
Lima said with a bit of disdain, "It's sweet and fragrant, like chewing gum. In Salvador, both men and women smoke cigars. I took a puff when I was little and felt dizzy for ten minutes. I don't smoke now. It's no fun!"
"Better not to smoke. Luca doesn't like women who smoke."
"Is that so?"
Lima snorted softly, "Since you said that, I'll smoke right in front of him. Let's see what he'll say."
"Haha, he won't say anything. He'll just carry you into the bedroom and spank you."
"He dares!"
"You can try."
Lima smiled slightly. Looking at the chaotic road, she suddenly laughed. "Kate, if Luca knows we got into a car crash, do you think he'll rush over?"
"Definitely."
Kate laughed, "His two dearest people are here. Do you think he wouldn't come? Want to give him a call to scare him?"
"...Forget it. We'll be back soon."
Lima shook her head.
Kate thought for a moment and took out her phone. "Luca, Lima and I got into a car accident in Bordeaux. Bullets flew over our heads, but we're fine. You don't have to come."
"He said he'll come tomorrow!"
(End of this chapter)