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Chapter 256 Hunted in the Streets
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If it hadn’t been for the line of neighbors nearby, the mob would have already rushed forward
and yanked Tess’s hair, ready to teach her a lesson.
“Someone as vile as her doesn’t deserve to live!” someone shouted.
The roar sent the crowd into a frenzy.
The residents, worried about trouble, quickly stepped aside to avoid the chaos.
Without a second thought, Tess turned and ran.
The noise of her footsteps loudly echoed through the street.
Her legs kept moving, her mind nearly nk, working only on instinct.
These people were out of their minds.
Staying behind to argue was pointless. They were lost in their own idea of justice. Until she had proof, no one would listen.
If she had hesitated even a second, the crowd would have swallowed her whole; there was no way she could leave unscathed.
She ran faster, but the sounds behind her only grew louder.
They were closing in on her.
At first, she had a small head start when they didn’t realize she’d bolted, but that advantage was shrinking by the second.
Her chest tightened. She could hear the thunderous sound of footsteps behind her. Tess felt like they were right at her back.
“There she is!” a man shouted.
Her heart dropped.
She didn’t dare look back. Her legs, heavy and weak, still kept pushing forward.
“Tess! Stop right there!”
The voice was so close it was almost in her ear.
18:09 Sat, Oct <b>11 </b><b>N </b>
Chapter 256 Hunted in the Streets
“Arghh!”
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Tess gasped. Out of nowhere, a hand shot from the dark mouth of an alley and pulled her inside.
Her eyes went wide. Before she could react, a hand mped over her mouth.
The grip was rough, but the stranger was considerate; he left a space to leave her nose free to breathe.
Tess blinked, realizing the person meant no harm.
The alley was silent. A faint citrus scent from the stranger’s clothes filled her nose, sharp and clean. But almost at once, a foul odor hit her, making her eyes sting.
She realized they were standing near a pile of garbage.
Heavy footsteps and ragged breathing closed in outside.
“Where’d she go? Wasn’t she just here?”
“Maybe she ran that way!”
“Come on! Let’s check!”
The mix of male and female voices echoed, their footsteps pounding again like rolling thunder in the distance.
When the noise finally faded, Tess let out a breath of relief. The gag over her mouth was pulled
away.
She wanted to thank the stranger, but he spoke first. “My ce is nearby. Come with me.”
The tone was t and mechanical–almost like a robot.
Tess turned in surprise. At the mouth of the dark alley stood Lyra, her figure straight and
unshaken.
Tess wanted to refuse, but the foul smell around her pressed into her nose and lungs.
“This ce is a dump. I have hot water at home,” Lyra said calmly, her eyes cool and distant.
Tess didn’t hesitate any longer. She whispered thanks and followed.
18:09 Sat, <b>Oct </b><b>11 </b><b>N </b>
Chapter 256 Hunted in the Streets
Lyra’s apartment was simple but spotless.
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She asked Tess to give her a minute, then she pulled a brand–new white T–shirt with a price tag on out of her closet and pointed her toward the bathroom. “It’s never been worn. There are disposable towels inside.”
Tess epted it with gratitude.
She clutched the T–shirt in her hands, looked back at Lyra, and said with rare seriousness, “Thank you.”
Lyra leaned against the wall, scrolling her phone. Her thumb froze mid–swipe.
She raised her eyebrows and held up the screen. “You’re trending again.”
The video showed the chaos from the food truck park earlier.
The word “again” made Tess twitch her lips in embarrassment.
“They’re still out there. And the media’s swarming now.”
Lyra lifted a curtain just enough to peek outside.
Even on the street below, she saw a group of paparazzi waiting with heavy cameras.
Tess had clearly underestimated their madness.
“Stay after you take a shower. It’s safer here,” Lyra suggested.
Tess knew she’d be a target the second she stepped outside. She nodded without protest and went into the bathroom.
Lyra’s eyes lingered on the closed ss door. Her feelings were a tangle.
She wasn’t sure if she had done the right thing–maybe she was just following her gut.
Tess was stuck in Lyra’s apartment with nowhere to go. Meanwhile, news of what happened at the food truck park had already reached Finn.
On the
top floor of Lock Group, Zane wore a rare serious look.
Finn stared at the photos on his tablet, his eyes dark and unreadable.
If Tess weren’t being hunted and shouted at, the pictures could have passed for celebrity shots.
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Chapter 256 Hunted in the Streets
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Crowds of people chased after her, fists raised high. Her red dress red as she ran, and her long hair flew behind her like ribbons of silk.
In thements section, some cheered at the sight, while others regretted she hadn’t been caught
“Still no sign of her?” Finn asked quietly.
Sara Lili
<strong>Sara Lili</strong> is a daring romance writer who turns icyndscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of d’s breathtaking cold.