Dolores took a deep breath, trying to calm herself down. “Sir, could you please take the same route back? I forgot something and I needed to return to the company to get it.”
The driver ignored her, pretending not to hear.
Dolores raised her voice. “Stop, please!”
The driver accelerated and spoke in a cold voice, a stark contrast to his previous gentleness. “We haven’t reached the destination yet.”
Dolores felt her breath quicken. She reminded herself to stay calm. Slowly, she reached for her phone in her bag, intending to ask for help.
The driver noticed her actions and abruptly slammed on the brakes. Caught off guard, Dolores dropped her phone from her trembling hand.
“Who… Who are you? What do you want?” Dolores struggled to suppress her fear and panic.
Glancing at her through the rearview mirror, the driver stepped on the gas pedal. “Lady, it seems you’ve offended someone. I’m just doing a job for someone.”
Dolores’ heart pounded, and her hands trembled. Who wanted to frame her?
Was it Helen White?
“I can give you money,” Dolores attempted to negotiate with the driver.
The driver glanced at her. Judging by her modest attire, she didn’t seem wealthy.
But the driver remained unconvinced.
Realizing they were getting further away from safety; Dolores made a daring decision. Jumping out of the car might give her a chance to survive. If she stayed in the car obediently, she couldn’t even fathom the consequences.
Her hands fidgeted, and finally, she mustered the courage to unlock the safety lock and pulled open the car door.
The driver shot her a glance. “If you jump out of the car, you might end up dead, or at the very least, your skin will be peeled off. You won’t escape!”
Though she might not escape, she couldn’t just sit in the car and let the driver take her away. That would surely be her demise.
She was terrified, but she had no other choice.
She placed a hand on her belly. “Baby, please stay strong.”
The wind tousled her hair, but she remained resolute.
Summoning all her courage, she leaped out of the speeding car. As she hit the ground, she fell onto her knees, experiencing a searing pain that seemed to drain the blood from her body.
Yet, she paid little attention to the pain and pushed herself up, running desperately.
The driver hadn’t anticipated her escape. He halted the car, got out, and pursued her.
Dolores limped at a slow pace, enduring the sharp pain with every step.
She gritted her teeth, knowing that if she stopped, it would be the end for her.
“Stop!” The driver closed in on her.
But Dolores kept running with every ounce of strength left in her.
She raced desperately for her life.
Not far ahead, she noticed a faint light emanating from a grove. She surmised that someone might be there. In this critical moment, seeking help was her only chance at survival.
Dolores disappeared into the grove, hurrying toward the light while crying out for help, hoping to catch someone’s attention.
The driver was strong, and Dolores was already injured before being caught by him. “Don’t try to escape,” the driver hissed.
He forcefully dragged her back towards the road, intending to force her into the car again.
Dolores twisted and bit his arm. The driver howled in pain and slapped her across the cheek. “Bitch! How dare you bite me?”
Blood filled Dolores’ mouth as she continued to bite down. Unable to bear the pain, the driver loosened his grip. Dolores seized the opportunity, wriggling free and running faster than ever before.
“Stop!” The driver chased after her, but he stumbled and fell to the ground, tripped up by something, giving Dolores a chance to escape.
As she drew closer, she realized that the light came from a villa.
She rushed to the villa, banging on the door with all her might. “Help! Please, someone, help me!”
Her desperate knocking echoed loudly.
At that critical moment, the driver caught up with Dolores, cornering her. He stared her down and sneered, “You think you can escape? Let’s see how far you can go!”
Ignoring his taunts, Dolores pounded on the door with increasing urgency. “Is there anyone…”
Before she could finish her sentence, the door creaked open, revealing a slim figure. Walking against the glaring light, his face was partially obscured. Dolores squinted, her voice strained, “Help.”
As if in a daze, she saw the figure swiftly approach and catch her as her legs gave out, causing her to collapse onto the ground.
“Lola,” Sampson called her name with concern.
Dolores mustered a smile and recognized him, “Sampson…”
Sensing something amiss as they seemed to know each other, the driver hastily turned and fled.
Sampson gave him a quick glance but didn’t pursue, his focus now on Dolores.
He carried her into the villa. Bathed in the bright light, he finally noticed her mutilated, bleeding knees.
“What happened? How did you get hurt?” he asked, his worry evident.
Dolores lacked the strength to utter a word. In this moment of relief, the pain had drained her of all her energy.
Sampson gently placed her on the sofa. “I’ll get the first aid kit and clean your wounds. I need to see if they’re serious.”
“Sampson, who is this woman?” a woman in an elegant suit asked. With her hair tied up and a large emerald ring adorning her hand, she exuded an air of sophistication.
She scrutinized Dolores, who was now sitting on the sofa.
Dolores also observed the lady, dressed impeccably and appearing to come from a privileged background.
Here…
The villa boasted European-style decor. A grand crystal chandelier hung from the ceiling, casting a luxurious glow throughout the living room.
Was this Sampson’s residence?
He… He was wealthy?
Sampson ignored the woman’s question, proceeding to the cabinet where he retrieved the first aid kit. Placing it on the table, he opened it and knelt in front of Dolores. “The antiseptic might sting. Try to bear with it.”
Dolores nodded weakly.
The woman seemed annoyed by Sampson’s demeanor. “Maria has been missing for so many years. How long will you punish yourself?”
Sampson didn’t wish to discuss this matter. “Mom, please return to your room.”
“Sampson…”
“Mom.” Sampson’s tone grew firm as he locked eyes with the middle-aged woman. “I don’t want to dwell on the past anymore. Since I’m back, I won’t leave the country again.”
Camilla Carey’s face lit up with joy. Sampson had been alone abroad for several years, refusing to disclose his location to his family. He would send them an annual letter to assure them of his safety.
She had missed him dearly and had hoped for his return.
Seeing him finally let go of the burden caused by Maria’s disappearance and wanting to come back home, Camilla felt relieved.
However, she still worried that her son would leave again. She secretly wished for him to marry a woman in China, as that would give her the assurance he wouldn’t depart once more.
Yet, Sampson vehemently rejected the idea, so she dared not push further. “Alright. I won’t disturb you.”
With her handbag in hand, she walked toward the door. Just before leaving, she cast a quick glance at Dolores sitting on the sofa.
Sampson, head bowed, carefully tended to her wounds, his hidden emotions betrayed by his eyes.
For all those years, he had blamed himself for Maria’s disappearance. And now, he had suddenly returned…
Camilla fixated her gaze on Dolores’ face for a few seconds. There must be some connection between this girl and Sampson’s decision to come back to China.
She took a deep breath, realizing she hadn’t seen Dolores among the debutantes.
Dolores, sensing Camilla’s inquisitive gaze, turned to meet her eyes and offered a slight smile. “Madam.”
Dolores could infer from the conversation between Camilla and Sampson that Camilla was Sampson’s mother.
Camilla nodded in acknowledgment of Dolores’ greeting, then turned and exited the room.
Dolores lowered her head, observing Sampson as he cleaned the bloodstains from her wounds. “Sampson, I never imagined you were wealthy.”