?Chapter 613:


    Inside the van, the man was baffled. “He’s still behind us? How is he running like this?”


    Both captors and Hadley were shocked. She wondered, could Eric truly sustain that pace? His face, contorted in pain, suggested it was a struggle.


    How much longer would he keep running? How far was he willing to go?


    Eric was visibly fatigued, yet luck was on his side as one of his subordinates arrived just in time.


    The vehicle slowed to a crawl rather than aplete stop, the door flinging open.


    “Mr. Flynn! Jump in!”


    With momentum still carrying him, Eric hurled himself into the car, clumsily hitting his limbs as he did so.


    “Mr. Flynn, are you alright?”


    “Just drive!” Eric retorted, dismissing his own difort.


    He urgently gestured towards a van ahead, missing its license te, as he fought to catch his breath.


    “Follow that van!”


    “Right away, Mr. Flynn!”


    Having issued themand, Eric grasped his chest, wincing from the sharp stings of pain caused by his rushed breathing.


    Regaining someposure, he retrieved his phone to contact Phillips.


    “It’s me…”


    Meanwhile, in the van they were chasing, the man began to show signs of distress. “He’s almost on us!”


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    “What’s got you so flustered?” With a stern re, the woman scolded him. “Show some backbone! You’re more frightened than a woman!”


    Though her words were sharp, her own nerves were fraying.


    No time for second thoughts now.


    She pressed the gas pedal, pushing the van to its speed limit.


    Hadley, caught off guard, was thrown forward, banging her forehead. Something about the woman struck a chord of familiarity. But Hadley was sure they had never met; so why did she feel like she knew her? Who were these kidnappers, and what did they want with her?


    Ransom seemed unlikely—she wasn’t rich.


    Had she unwittingly upset someone?


    Being a minor yer in Srixby, she couldn’t think of anyone she might have offended that would warrant this. Confusion swirled through Hadley’s thoughts.


    The van’s speed intensified the ride’s roughness, causing Hadley’s stomach to churn, particrly because her mouth was gagged with a towel.


    As they ventured beyond the city limits, the surroundings grew increasingly deste. Was their destination on the outskirts? This was uncharted territory for Hadley.


    Where were they taking her?


    She yearned to nce back, hoping to see if Eric was still in pursuit.


    “Ugh!”


    Her attempt to turn was thwarted as the man forcefully gripped her shoulder.


    “Stay still! What are you looking at?”


    Reluctantly, Hadley ceased moving.


    The grip on her shoulder was excruciating, blurring her vision with pain and inducing a cold sweat.


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