?Chapter 1351:


    Relief filled her chest, knowing that he was unharmed.


    Every risk she took felt justified as long as he remained out of harm’s way.


    Neon lights zipped by outside the window, casting fleeting streaks of color across the car’s interior while the city raced past. Without warning, the screech of tires shattered the quiet.


    A sudden jolt threw Sadie forward as the car lurched to a stop.


    No fewer than three ck SUVs boxed them in. Doors burst open, and a swarm of men in ck surged out, faces carved from stone and eyes filled with menace.


    Immediately, the bodyguards in Sadie’s car snapped to attention.


    Almost in unison, they drew their weapons. “Protect Ms. Hudson!”


    Facing seasoned fighters, Emerson’s security detail wasted no time. Stepping out, they assessed the threat and plunged straight into the fray, ready for battle with the new arrivals.


    Gunshots shattered the stillness of the night, the chaos echoing sharply through the darkness.


    Fear gripped Sadie’s chest, squeezing so tight she could hardly breathe. She could tell at a nce that these people weren’t working for Noah. Noah’s methods were never this reckless. He always preferred strategy over force.


    With the attention of everyone else riveted on the chaos outside, a spark of resolve appeared in Sadie’s eyes.


    Wasting no time, she scrambled out of the back seat and slid behind the wheel.


    Lucky for her, the keys remained in the ignition.


    The engine leapt to life, and with one hard press on the gas, the car bolted forward, growling down the street.


    A sense of hope flickered, but it vanished just as quickly. From a nearby alley, another vehicle shot out and blocked her escape with chilling precision.


    Trapped from both ends, she realized she had nowhere to run.


    A sinking feeling swept over her.


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    Sweat prickled at her skin while panic wed at her nerves. ncing at the glovepartment, she found a dagger.


    That small weapon felt like herst hope. She grabbed it, then shoved open the door and stepped outside.


    Night air struck her face, bringing her senses into focus.


    With her knuckles pale around the dagger’s hilt, Sadie leveled a frosty re at the figures closing in. “Tell me who you are and what you want,” she said, her voice steady despite her racing heart.


    One man stepped out from the group. He didn’t bother with deference, but he wasn’t openly hostile, either. “Mr. Afara would like a word with you.”


    Afara?


    That name made Sadie stiffen.


    Of all people, Afara? The one who had betrayed Emerson, the same man who had nearly taken Noah’s life?


    There was no reason for him to send his men after her—unless something far more dangerous was happening.


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