No one at the scene even had time to react.


    Even Ste was frozen, caught off guard, unable to intervene.


    This was Germany, not Solmaris.


    Even in Solmaris, you couldn''t just kill the heir of the Gibson family on a whim.


    The Gibsons weren''t some minor, unremarkable family.


    A chill ran through Ste''s heart.


    When Joshua had first appeared, she hadn''t stopped him. In fact, a part of her had wanted to teach Stuart a lesson.


    Men like Stuart were hardly worth pitying.


    But she hadn''t expected Joshua to go so far-not just crippling him, but killing him outright.


    Maybe themotion was too loud, because Ste caught the faint sound of footsteps echoing from the hallway.


    There was no going back now-it was already toote for regrets.


    Ste knew they couldn''t linger. She strode over to Joshua and said, "Joshua, we need to leave. Now."


    Joshua nodded silently.


    Stuart''s notorious behavior was no secret in Germany. People tolerated it


    because of the Gibson family''s power-no one dared cross them. Even those who suffered at Stuart''s hands had to swallow their anger and pretend nothing happened.


    Everyone assumed Stuart would continue his reckless ways unpunished. No one imagined he''d meet his end so abruptly.


    He''d ruined so many young women''s lives-it was poetic justice, really.


    Retribution had simply arrived a bitte.


    News of Stuart''s death spread through Germany like wildfire.


    Most who heard it were quietly relieved, if not outright thrilled. They saw his death as a public service-one less predator to fear.


    Even men from other powerful families felt the same. After all, none of them


    wanted their wives or daughters to catch Stuart''s eye, only to be forced to suffer in silence afterward.


    ...


    In the car, Ste immediately instructed Aicken to arrange a private jet.


    They had to get out of Germany-fast.


    Stuart''s death wasn''t a trivial matter.


    If they didn''t leave soon, they might never get another chance.


    They needed to be gone before the Gibsons even realized what had happened.


    Joshua''s voice was hoarse. "I''m sorry. I acted on impulse."


    Ste nced over at him.


    Joshua was never the impulsive always conducted


    type suredet


    with measured restraint. This waspletely out of character for him.  s


    Was there something he couldn''t say?


    Or maybe... did he have a personal vendetta against Stuart?


    On the drive, Aicken had already dug up Stuart''s background and ryed it to Ste.<fnd621> This text is hosted at find?novel</fnd621>


    The more she learned about Stuart, the more disgusted she felt.


    Perhaps Stuart had harmed someone close to Joshua.


    With that thought, Ste offered quietly, “It''s all right. Let''s just get out of Germany first."


    No sooner had she spoken than her phone rang again.


    On the other end, Aicken''s voice was tense and urgent.


    "Ms. Cameron, things have taken a turn. The entire city''s on lockdown-every airport is now sealed."


    Ste''s heart sank.


    The Gibsons had reacted with frightening speed.


    There was no chance of flying out now.


    She made a snap decision. "Tell the


    senior staff who came with us-i


    anyone gets the chance to leave,


    take it. If not find somewhere


    hide and wait for backup. When help arrives, I''ll get you out myself."  s


    Aicken didn''t waste words. "Understood, Ms. Cameron."


    l.ne


    After she hung up, Ste stared out at the darkness beyond the car. window, then addressed the dri


    "Don''t go to the airport. Pull over at


    the next intersection


    belongs to s


    She and Joshua got out of the car.


    Now that she and Joshua were wanted, staying with their people would only put


    everyone at greater risk.


    They had to distance themselves for everyone''s sake.


    The situation was dire.


    A murdered son demanded blood. The Gibsons would never let this go.