Chapter 7
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My mother was startled awake while the kids still looked half–asleep.
My mother and I each grabbed a child, and we burst out through the door.
Just after we escaped, the fire quickly spiraled out of control.
We ran while shouting, “Fire! Run, everyone!”
The guests scrambled in panic to escape, and nearby people gathered, watching the chaos. We stood outside the inn, holding the kids. I stared as thick smoke billowed from the windows.
The smoke blackened the children’s little faces, and they coughed occasionally. My mother looked deeply troubled.
The fire truck arrived shortly and quickly put out the blaze.
Fortunately, it was caught early, and no one was hurt, though all our luggage got soaked.
The inn’s surveillance cameras were too outdated to catch the arsonists.
The firefighters questioned me about the cause, and I provided them with a detailed account of everything I saw.
One asked, “Was this aimed at you? Did you offend anyone?”
I knew exactly who was behind it, but Liora had the backing of both the Corbin family and the Merrick family. How could I ever fight her?
Even if the arsonists were caught, Liora would wash her hands of it–just like how her mother once hired people to hit my mom.
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Feeling frustrated, I told the firefighter, “No. I don’t know who did it.”
He asked a few more questions and said they’d investigate nearby cameras thoroughly and catch the suspects as soon as possible.
I forced myself to stay strong and led my family away from the scene.
I was afraid of dragging others into trouble, so I didn’t dare stay at another hotel.
My mother asked, “What do we do now?” After thinking it over, I said, “Let’s spend the night at the train station. There’s security and cameras there. Tomorrow morning, we’ll leave by train.”
I opened a ride–hailing app, but it was already past one a.m., and no drivers accepted my request for a long time.
The kids kept yawning, so I decided to walk with them toward a nearby park.
Suddenly, a van crept up slowly behind us. The door flew open, and three masked men jumped out.
They charged us with murderous intent.
I was terrified and shouted. “Run!”
My mother grabbed the kids, sprinting as Cedric and Yvonne shouted, “Mom!” behind her.
I stood my ground, hurling a luggage bag at the attackers.
One burly man circled around and grabbed my arm tightly. I gritted my teeth and kicked him hard.
By then, the other two had caught up with my mother and the kids. I screamed, “Help-”
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Before I could finish, someone clamped a hand over my mouth.
The same hand grabbed me roughly, dragging me toward the van. I kicked and fought desperately.
I saw my mother and children also being grabbed. Panic flooded my eyes
as a sudden burst of movement appeared—a group of men in black suits came rushing toward us.
They moved swiftly and efficiently, knocking down and subduing the masked men with punches and kicks.
Breaking free, I stumbled to my mother and the kids.
“Mom! Are you okay?”
She shook her head, crying.
“I’m fine. What about you?”
I bit back the pain in my arm and shook my head, “I’m okay.”
The kids were crying hysterically. I felt both guilty and frustrated but held back tears as I hugged them close.
Footsteps echoed behind me. I immediately turned, alert.
A pair of brown crocodile–skin shoes appeared first, followed by long legs clad in charcoal–gray suit pants.
My heart pounded wildly. I held my breath and lifted my gaze to meet an extraordinarily handsome face.
Raymond looked down at me, the shadow cast by his brow sharpening the cold light in his eyes.
He leaned slightly and extended his hand to help me up.
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The moment he touched me, my whole body trembled uncontrollably.
Right then, I didn’t want to question why Raymond was here—I just wanted to get away as fast as possible,
I stepped back and lowered my head. “Thank you for saving us.”
Raymond raised an eyebrow.
“Is that all? Just a ‘thank you“?”
“If there’s a chance later, I’ll repay you. I need to take my family to report this to the police. I have to go now.”
Raymond suddenly stepped closer, his gaze deep and piercing, a half- smile playing on his lips. “Don’t you recognize me anymore?”
I feigned ignorance, “How could I not? Mr. Merrick, we met earlier today at the charity home.”
Raymond cut me off. “Joanne, stop pretending.”
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