The trail ahead was level and smooth, offering her a chance to evade her captors effectively.


    Soaked to the bone by the relentless rain, she raced along the rural path.


    The farther she distanced herself from the wretched abode, the more exhrated she felt.


    The torment she endured during those agonizing days was even more cruel than she had anticipated.


    Now, she could finally break free from this ce and release herself from Lucinda’s clutches.


    Not far ahead, the river Den had mentioned glistened in the rain.


    Valerie’sughter was tinged with excitement, as if the raindrops themselves were celebrating her impending liberation.


    “Lucinda, just you wait.


    I’ll soon make you pay.


    ”


    Valerie lifted her head and shouted defiantly.


    But as soon as she cried out, two figures emerged from the shadows.? 2024 N?v/el/Dram/a.Org.


    “Halt!”


    Startled, she turned around.


    Two men brandishing firearms confronted her.


    Their furious expressions betrayed their familiarity with her.


    In Cadiered, very few individuals possessed guns, unless they were affiliated with the military.


    Could it be that Nathan had sent his operatives to keep an eye on her?


    Without a backward nce, Valerie surged forward, her feet pounding the muddy ground.


    Nathan’s men gave chase, their voices echoing, “You can’t escape!”


    “Stop struggling! If you keep running, we’ll shoot!” the men warned Valerie.


    But Valerie didn’t even nce back.


    She was consumed by unyielding despair.


    She had hoped that once she evaded Lucinda’s bodyguards, she could escape this ce.


    Yet, she hadn’t anticipated that Nathan’s men were secretly monitoring her.


    Did she stand any chance this time?


    “Lucinda, Nathan! Even in death, I’ll never return!”


    She yelled their names with a raspy voice, her hatred seething.


    Nothing was more agonizing than having her glimmer of hope cruelly shattered.