<h4>Chapter 398: Chapter 398 Where the hell are we ?</h4>


    Author’s pov


    While Martha seemed lost in thought watching the tender moment between Cecilia and Helena.


    The resemnce between Cecilia and Reba was unmistakable, and Helena’s open affection for the girl confirmed what her had sensed all along.


    This was her granddaughter. The baby she’d smuggled away decades ago.


    Tears welled in Martha’s eyes and slid silently down her weathered cheeks.


    "Grandma, why are you crying too ? "Cassian asked softly, wrapping an arm around her shoulders and brushing a tear away with his thumb.


    Martha didn’t answer. She just stared at Cecilia, her chest so tight she could barely breathe.


    For years, she hadn’t dared take even the smallest risk. No contact. No photos.


    Helena had followed her instructions to the letter.


    Everyone believed the child was gone. They’d buried the truth so deep it had almost be a ghost story.


    Until recently, when Helena had reached out, saying that Zane had seen her granddaughter and grown suspicious.


    Soon after, Zane confronted her directly, demanding to know if his daughter had survived.


    No wonder he’d looked at Cecilia that way.She should have seen it sooner.


    Still, she never thought the child would show up like this.


    "What’s wrong ? "Cassian asked, noticing his grandmother’s trembling hands.


    "Nothing, "Martha said,posing herself. She took his hand firmly. "Come on. We’re going to the g. "


    Her expression hardened.


    [ If this was the fight Maggie wanted, she’d face her head on. Even if it cost her everything. ]


    "Martha... "Helena began.


    "Not now. Follow my lead, "Martha cut her off, already knowing what Helena wanted to say. "You and Cecilia areing with me to the Locke estate. "


    Helena’s eyes widened slightly, but she nodded.


    Cecilia waited before speaking. "My grandmother and I should probably head back. Whatever’s happening with the Lockes isn’t our business. "


    "Cecilia, you’re already part of it, "Martha said gently, her tone both firm and tender.


    "My problem with Maggie isn’t the same as yours, "Cecilia replied carefully.


    "It’s all connected, "Martha insisted.


    A chill ran down Cecilia’s spine.


    [ Did Maggie already know who I am ? ]


    "You have two choices,"Martha said. "Stay out in the open and hope for the best. Or let me stand beside you with whatever influence I still have left in this family."


    Cecilia gave a weak smile. "I’m not sure I’d be much help. I’d probably just make things worse."


    What was she supposed to do ? Show up and announce herself as the long-lost bastard daughter ? That wasn’t leverage. That was a punchline.


    "How can you say that ?"Martha’s voice went soft. "You matter most of all."


    Cecilia blinked,pletely lost.


    Cassian looked just as confused, but still supported Martha’s n.


    "Cecilia, going back to the Locke estate might be smarter, "he said. "Sebastian’s going to find out eventually, and he’ll be furious. It’s better to exin things yourself. I can help. "


    At the mention of Sebastian, Cecilia straightened her shoulders. "No. Just don’t tell him you saw me, please. Grandma, let’s go. "She took Helena’s arm, trying to lead her away.


    Helena didn’t move. "Is Sebastian there ? His whole family ? His grandmother too ? "


    "Yes, "Cassian said carefully.


    "Grandma ! "Cecilia pleaded. "Please don’t do anything reckless ! "


    Helena squeezed Cecilia’s hand. "Hey. You’ve faced worse. You’ll face this too."


    Before Cecilia could answer, hurried footsteps echoed in the hallway.


    Tang burst in, his face set. "We need to move. Now. "


    Everyone froze.


    The tension mmed back into the room like a wave.


    Tang kicked open the locked restroom door at the back and motioned for them to follow.


    Cassian helped Martha and Poppy through first.


    Cecilia guided Helena close behind.


    The exit opened onto a steep slope overgrown with brush. No path, almost no light.


    Tang pushed forward, clearing the way. He kept Cecilia right behind him, the two older women and Poppy in the middle. Cassian covered their backs.


    The night swallowed their footsteps as they disappeared into the dark.


    Moving through the thick brush felt like pushing through a ck ocean.


    The four women struggled with the uneven ground.


    Poppy wobbled in her designer heels, moving less steady than Martha even though she was decades younger. Cassian practically carried her most of the way.


    "If we keep heading this direction, we can’t get back to the helicopter, "Cassian said. "So how exactly are we supposed to get everyone out in one piece ? "


    The darkness pressed in from every side, thick and restless.


    But luck stayed with them. They didn’t have to fight through it for long.


    Tang finally pushed out of the trees and led them toward a faint shape up ahead.


    They stumbled into a clearing beside a low building with a faded sign that read "Rare Stone Exhibition Hall. "


    The ce looked abandoned. Weeds pushed through cracked pavement, and the windows were ck with dust.


    "What even is this ce ? "Poppy whined, her voice tight with exhaustion and panic. Her day had gone from bad to worse, and now her expensive dress was ripped to shreds. She was done pretending to beposed.


    "Poppy. "Martha’s tone was sharp enough to cut. It was both a warning and a reminder to pull herself together.


    Tang pointed to an old minibus parked to the side. "That’s our way out. "


    The women stared at him, stunned.


    "Damn, you’ve thought of everything, "Cassian said with a grin, giving Tang a friendly punch on the arm. "Do what you gotta do. I’ll take the heat. "


    "Give me two minutes. "


    He didn’t even need that long. Less than a minuteter, the engine coughed to life.


    Everyone piled in fast.


    It was a cheap, beatup minibus with awful suspension, and with Tang’s driving, it felt more like a carnival ride than an escape.


    Everyone but Cassian looked seconds away from throwing up.


    "Tang... "Cecilia clutched her stomach. "Please, slow down. I mean it. "


    "Can’t, "Tang said tightly. "We’ve gotpany on our tail. "


    That shut everyone up.


    They grabbed whatever they could to keep steady as the bus bounced over the uneven road.


    Cecilia squeezed her eyes shut, trying not to think.


    Cassian, of course, looked thrilled. "Now this is fun, "he muttered, whistling low.


    Time blurred into motion and headlights.


    Phones kept buzzing with iing messages, but nobody dared answer.


    Tang just drove, focused and silent.


    Cassian leaned forward, murmuring directions. Tang adjusted course without hesitation.


    Finally, the minibus burst through the tall iron gates of the Locke estate.


    Gold paint scattered everywhere. Gravel flew.


    The two ck SUVs chasing them screeched to a stop right outside. Whoever was inside didn’t follow. But the fury was obvious.


    Cecilia opened her eyes as the bus slowed. "Where the hell are we ? "