Chapter 14: Relentless Pursuit
Why? Why couldn't she escape, no matter how hard she tried?
Tears streamed down Liang Xiaoluo's face as she bit her lip in anguish, her cries filled with despair.
Ye Tianlin observed her sorrow, and for a brief moment, an inexplicable pang shot through his chest.
Liang Xiaoluo wanted to scream for help, but there was no one who could save her now.
Ye Tianlin's dark eyes glimmered with a dangerous intensity as his actions grew more reckless. Just when she thought there was no hope left, the sharp ringing of a phone shattered the tension.
The call seemed to pull Ye Tianlin out of his trance, and he scowled in irritation. His secretary, drenched in cold sweat, hesitated before answering the phone. After a brief exchange, he knocked tentatively on the car's divider and stammered, "Y-Young Master, it's the Old Master calling…"
"Hang up," Ye Tianlin snapped.
The secretary flinched but obeyed, only to be berated by the voice on the other end of the line. Mustering his courage, he knocked on the divider again. "Y-Young Master, the Old Master says if you don't answer, you may never get another chance to speak with him…"
Ye Tianlin's brow furrowed, his annoyance mounting. That old man knew how to push his buttons. He sighed in frustration, snatched the phone, and barked into it, "I'm busy. I'll call you back."
A raspy, scolding voice erupted from the other end. "You ungrateful brat! I flew halfway across the world, and you couldn't even come to pick me up? Instead, you're off at some auction! Just wait until I see you—"
In that moment, Liang Xiaoluo screamed from beneath Ye Tianlin, her desperate cries piercing through the phone.
The Old Master's tone shifted instantly, tinged with curiosity and excitement. "Hold on! Was that a woman? Is there a woman with you? What kind of woman? When are you bringing her home? I need to meet her—"
Ye Tianlin's expression darkened. Shooting a murderous glance at Liang Xiaoluo, who was struggling beneath him, he signaled for the secretary to intervene. Taking the phone, he stepped out of the car to continue the call.
Liang Xiaoluo's sobs quieted as she watched him leave, her body trembling with relief. Alone in the car, she saw her chance. Gritting her teeth, she tightened the towel wrapped around her and carefully assessed her surroundings.
The driver and secretary remained rigid, their eyes fixed firmly ahead. Liang Xiaoluo moved cautiously, inching toward the car door. Her hands shook as she reached for the handle. Closing her eyes, she drew a deep breath, yanked the door open, and bolted barefoot into the night.
The streets of the city center were a labyrinth of intersecting paths. Liang Xiaoluo darted down one of them, her heart pounding with terror. She didn't look back; she couldn't. All she could think about was escaping.
Back at the car, the secretary scrambled out to pursue her. But before he could take a step, Ye Tianlin's voice stopped him cold.
"Let her go."
"But, Young Master!" The secretary was incredulous. They had spent an exorbitant amount of money to secure her, and now they were just letting her run?
Ye Tianlin's lips curled into a wicked smirk. "That woman… she'll come back to me soon enough."
He watched her silhouette disappear into the distance before climbing back into the car. He had more pressing matters—picking up his grandfather from the airport.
Liang Xiaoluo, oblivious to Ye Tianlin's indifference, ran until her legs gave out. Her breath came in ragged gasps as she ducked into a shadowy alley to catch her breath. She scanned her surroundings, her chest tight with fear that someone might be following her.
Minutes passed. No one appeared. Slowly, her racing heart began to calm.
Tears welled in her eyes as the events of the past few days replayed in her mind. She had been humiliated, violated, and treated like a pawn in someone else's game. The grief was suffocating, but she forced herself to focus.
She needed to figure out her next move. Penniless and without a clear plan, escaping to Seattle to find her aunt seemed impossible now.
Above all, she needed to confirm her father's safety.
Determined, Liang Xiaoluo began the trek home, her bare feet stinging with every step on the uneven pavement. The journey took about half an hour, and when she finally reached the familiar, run-down apartment building, her heart sank.
The building was eerily silent. She crept up the stairs, her every step echoing in the emptiness. A chill ran down her spine as memories of the past few days surfaced. Was it paranoia, or was she truly in danger?
When she reached her door, her unease deepened. The apartment was in complete disarray. Furniture was overturned, the coffee table smashed, and the floor littered with debris. It looked like a struggle had taken place.
Then she heard it—a creak on the stairs.
Her breath hitched. Grabbing a broken chair leg for defense, she pressed herself against the wall, hiding behind the door. Her heart thundered in her chest as the footsteps drew closer.
When the door opened, she swung with all her might.
"Ahhh! Don't hit me! Don't hit me!" A familiar, shrill voice shrieked.
Liang Xiaoluo froze mid-swing. Recognition dawned as she stared at the cowering figure before her. "You?!" she spat, her voice dripping with venom.
It was Lin Xue—her scheming stepsister.
Lin Xue's eyes widened in disbelief. "Xiaoluo… you're alive?"
Her shock quickly turned to fear as Liang Xiaoluo glared at her, the broken chair leg still poised to strike.
"Disappointed?" Liang Xiaoluo sneered. She tossed the makeshift weapon aside and advanced on Lin Xue, her expression fierce. Grabbing her by the collar, she growled, "You sold me out. Did you think I wouldn't survive?"
Lin Xue paled, her bravado crumbling. "I… I'm sorry! I was wrong! I shouldn't have sold you out for money, and I shouldn't have gone after your boyfriend either. Please, Xiaoluo, forgive me this one time!"
Her words only fueled Liang Xiaoluo's rage. This wasn't the first time Lin Xue had betrayed her.
Before Liang Xiaoluo could lash out, Lin Xue dropped to her knees, clutching her sister's legs. "Please, Xiaoluo! Punish me however you want later, but right now, we need to save Dad and Mom. They're in danger!"
Liang Xiaoluo froze, her grip loosening. "What are you talking about?"
"Dad and Mom are being held by loan sharks! They let me go to find the money to pay them back!" Lin Xue cried.
Liang Xiaoluo's heart sank, but skepticism clouded her thoughts. "Why should I believe you?"
Desperation painted Lin Xue's face. She pulled a crumpled piece of paper from her pocket and thrust it at Liang Xiaoluo. "Look! This is the receipt for the loan. Dad signed it. It's all here. I'm not lying!"
Liang Xiaoluo snatched the paper and scanned it. Her father's signature was unmistakable. Her stomach churned as she read the amount: five million.
"I'll go with you," she said finally, her voice cold. "But if you're lying…" Her tone carried an unspoken threat.
Lin Xue nodded fervently, leading Liang Xiaoluo into the night.
Their destination was a bar in the city center. When they arrived, Lin Xue pointed to the neon-lit sign above the entrance. "This is the place. They're inside."
Liang Xiaoluo's blood ran cold as she recognized the name: Nightshade.
It was the same bar where her nightmare had begun.