“Time is short,” Liana pressed. “Climb on, I’ll carry you. It’s the quickest way.”

Their car wasn’t parked anywhere close. They would have to walk once they got outside. With Elissa pregnant and Locke still a child, walking on their own wouldn’t be easy.

“Alright!” Elissa agreed, clambering onto Liana’s back without further hesitation.

“Hold on tight.”

“Got it!”

“Let’s move.”

Liana rose swiftly, Elissa secure on her back, and descended the stairs with purposeful grace.

Beside them, the male bodyguard cradled the slumbering Locke, his steps quick yet steady, ensuring the boy’s peaceful rest remained undisturbed. They bypassed the main gate, opting instead for the discreet exit through the underground garage.

Like the house’s surveillance network, every camera along their path had been expertly disabled, leaving no trace of their escape.

Emerging from the garage, a sleek car awaited, flanked by a team of vigilant bodyguards.

“Miss Holland,” Liana said, gently lowering Elissa and opening the car door with a fluid motion. “Please, get in.”

“Okay,” Elissa replied, complying with quiet resolve.

She settled into the vehicle as the male bodyguard carefully passed Locke into her arms.

Elissa’s eyes shimmered with unshed tears as she held Locke close, her voice thick with gratitude. “Thank you… thank you all.”

“We’re merely following orders,” Liana responded, her tone matter-of-fact. “Your thanks belong to Mr. Scott and Miss Pearson.”

With a decisive nod, Liana shut the car door and issued a crisp command. “Let’s go!”

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“Understood!” came the reply, and the car glided into motion, carrying Elissa and Locke away.

Locke stirred faintly, his lips trembling with a soft murmur. “Mmm…”

“Shh, my sweet boy,” Elissa whispered, her heart lurching as she gently patted his back. “Mommy’s right here. We’ll always be together… You and I will never be apart.”

She leaned down, pressing a tender kiss to Locke’s forehead.

Slowly, Locke’s restlessness faded, and he drifted back into a serene slumber.

The night passed in eerie calm. Everyone went on unaware, believing it was just another quiet night’s sleep.

It wasn’t until after nine the next morning that the servants ascended the stairs. “Time to rouse Locke and Miss Holland,” one servant remarked casually. With the weekend freeing Locke from school, there had been no need for an early start.

Moments later, panic erupted.

“Oh no!”

“How could this happen?”

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