Marcus drew out the disguise he had kept hidden inside his tucked-in shirt. He quickly slipped the loose gown above her dress and fixed a wig over her head. Then drawing out the silicone mask, he fixed it over her face. Satisfied with his handiwork, he picked her up in his arms and walked out of the door in confidence. With Mike’s men diverting the attention of the guards at the front entrance, Marcus carried her towards the back door.
“Sorry, sir. You cannot pass,” said one of the guards. Marcus produced the VIP pass and showed him.
“My girlfriend passed out after taking the drug. Frederick has asked me to take her to his personal doctor in case things go out of hand. I’ll just call him and inform him that you aren’t cooperating,” said Marcus, with a brave face although he was panicking inside. He had fifteen minutes to get out before Frederick returned to find Cara missing. The guard looked ill at ease while the other one quickly opened the door to let him pass.
“It’s okay, sir. You may go,” he said, making Marcus feel relieved. He rushed out to his car and strapped Cara to the passenger seat. Climbing in, he started driving towards the police station. He needed to hand in the evidence as quickly as possible so that they could arrest Frederick before he realized that Cara had escaped. He parked the car, picked up Cara in his arms, and rushed to the police station to file an FIR first.
The police immediately took action since Frederick was a repeat offender. A team of cops was sent to Cara’s house when Marcus informed them of the grave danger her family was in. He had to take the disguise off so that the police knew her real identity. Relieved, Marcus waited at the police station for Cara to regain consciousness. He called Lucas for help in the meantime. Lucas promised to come as soon as possible and take them all away in his personal jet. In the meantime, they all waited as the police raided Frederick’s club.
Marcus’s phone buzzed with an incoming call from Mike who was there at the club. “Mr. Donnelly, Frederick has fled before the police even reached here. I suggest that you leak all the evidence. He wouldn’t be able to hide from the mob once it goes viral,” suggested Mike.
“I will but before that I want you to check if Cara’s family is safe. Stay with them and give them protection,” said Marcus. Mike agreed and disconnected the call. Just as Mike suggested, he posted all the information on social media and tagged Rohesia in every post. A feeling of dread engulfed his heart and he waited at the police station helplessly.
“Mr. Donnelly, you need to take Ms. Rohesia to the doctor,” suggested an officer.
“Yeah but I need police protection. With Frederick absconding, her life is in grave danger,” said Marcus, unsure of what to do. He knew that the paparazzi and the media would go crazy after the evidence went viral. He wanted to reach her home safely before that happened.
“We will provide you with protection. Take her to her home, Mr. Donnelly. Our team is already stationed there,” said Officer Tim Berkeley who was in charge of the investigation. Marcus agreed since she seriously needed medical attention. Also with her family in grave danger, he wanted to be with them as well. A police car escorted them towards Cara’s house. She still hadn’t gained consciousness and her breathing was getting laborious with every passing second. Suddenly Cara stirred and tried to open her eyes. Marcus glanced at her with relief. It seemed as if she was gaining consciousness. A couple of seconds passed by and she opened her eyes and looked at him with shock.
“Marcus?” she gasped with surprise. Marcus nodded with a relieved smile flashing across his face.
“I’ve rescued you, Cara,” said Marcus, making her eyes go wide with the realization. Cara panicked a second later as thoughts of her family crossed her mind.
“Oh, no! My family, Marcus. They’re in danger,” she panicked.
“The team of policemen is there for them. We’ll reach there in ten minutes. Don’t worry,” said Marcus, turning towards her.
“Marcus, watch out!” she yelled, her eyes going wide with fright. Marcus turned his head and to his horror, a car came hurtling towards him from the opposite side at a breakneck speed. Before he could understand what was happening the car was right in front of him. He swerved the car with all his might, the steering wheel slipping out of his hands as he lost control of his car. Cara shrieked as their car swerved off the road while Marcus tried hard to control it.
“Jump out, Cara,” he yelled but Cara sat frozen, unable to leave him in the car and jump out. He pushed her seat backward in an attempt to save her from injury.
“Tighten your belt, Cara,” he shouted in panic. The car hit a tree and skidded to a stop. The airbags inflated immediately and Cara lost her consciousness again after hitting her head against it. Marcus felt an excruciating pain in his lower spine, neck, and rib cage yet he gritted his teeth to check upon Cara. He couldn’t let anything happen to her!
“Cara?” he whispered, as his body started to go numb with pain. The police car halted beside theirs and arranged for an ambulance to immediately take them to a nearby hospital. Marcus closed his eyes, at last, unable to bear the pain.
An hour after Marcus’s distress call, Lucas, Nicholas, and their mom were about to board their jet when Lucas received a call from the LA police department. They informed him that Marcus Donnelly and Rohesia Carys had a car accident and were admitted to the nearby Columbia hospital. All three of them were shocked beyond words. They finally boarded their jet and settled down inside, ready for take-off.
“We shouldn’t have allowed him to go alone,” said Lucas, looking shattered.
“I knew he would be up to something. I just wish they aren’t critical,” said his mom.
“Oh, God! Look at this video? I can’t believe that Frederick Gardner was abusing Cara this way,” said Nikolas, forwarding the video that Marcus had posted and had gone viral within seconds. Lucas and his mom checked the video and gasped with horror.
“Cara’s fans have gone crazy seeing this! There has been a strong protest in front of the police station in LA a few minutes ago. The media has gone crazy with the news. It’s everywhere. Frederick can’t escape for long. His club is sealed and his business is doomed forever. The cops are on the lookout for him,” said Lucas.
“He has escaped the police when they raided his club,” said Nicholas.
“I’m not getting a good feeling out of this. I just hope he gets arrested soon,” said their mom.
However, they had to switch off their mobile phones as the jet started moving for take-off. They dozed off to sleep as there wasn’t anything else to do and they needed to save their energy for what was yet to come. In the wee hours of the morning, they reached LA Airport. While Nicholas took his mom to a hotel near the hospital, Lucas went to Columbia hospital to check up on Marcus and Cara. At the reception, he was directed to the ICU where they were admitted. Lucas found police officers stationed outside the ICU. After ensuring that he was indeed related to Marcus, they allowed him inside. A doctor was on his rounds and Lucas spoke to him about Marcus and Cara’s health. Apparently, Cara had gained consciousness and wasn’t serious as Marcus had pushed her seat away from the airbags and she was securely strapped to the seat.
“She’s sleeping under the effect of painkillers. Marcus Donnelly is critical as he suffered from five broken ribcage, spinal and neck injuries,” informed the doctor.
“Why hasn’t he gained consciousness yet? When can I see the doctor who’s treating him?” asked Lucas worriedly.
“Dr. Sebastian James is treating him, Mr. Donnelly. He has around twenty-five years of experience in the field of accident care and treatment. You can discuss the reports with him when he arrives at 7 o’clock in the morning,” said the doctor. Lucas sat outside in the lobby and closed his eyes. However, a nurse came rushing outside.
“Mr. Donnelly? Rohesia has woken up and is in a state of shock. I think you would be able to comfort her better,” said the nurse. Lucas stood up and rushed in after the nurse, eager to see Cara. When he went inside, he saw Cara sobbing and trying to revive Marcus on the bed adjacent to hers while a nurse was trying to soothe her.
“Cara?” Lucas called her softly and she froze immediately and turned to look at him. Relief washed over her features and she stared at him with disbelief.
“Lucas, he’s not waking up. He ensured my safety but he forgot to look after himself,” she said as more tears fell from her eyes. Lucas sat beside her and took her cold hands in his.
“He will be perfectly fine, Cara. Relax and get better yourself. How will you take care of him if you break down this way? I’ve come to take you and Mark home with me.” Cara froze hearing Lucas’s words.
“No, I can’t go with you Lucas. My family is in grave danger. Have you met them yet? Are they okay?” she asked with dread. Lucas shook his head as he had no clue about her family. Cara started sobbing more, breaking down completely.
“Lucas, please go to my house. You have to check how they are!” she cried out hysterically.