Chapter 8 - The Ambush in the Dark
Julian reacted on pure instinct. He grabbed the gloved wrist, twisting it sharply against the jagged edge of the shattered window frame. A muffled grunt of pain came from outside.
""Stay down, Lily!"" Julian shouted, leaning across the center console and slamming his shoulder into the passenger door, driving it outward.
The door struck the assailant, knocking him backward onto the gravel. Julian scrambled out of the car, fist raised, only to find a familiar figure clutching an injured shoulder on the pavement.
It was Claire.
She wore a dark hoodie over her nanny uniform, her face pale and scraped from the door impact. In her other hand, she held a small steel crowbar, which clattered to the ground.
""Stop! Julian, stop! It’s me!"" Claire gasped, struggling to catch her breath. ""I had to find you before Vance’s men did!""
Julian stood over her, chest heaving, his body blocking her view of Lily in the backseat. ""You broke my window. How did you track this car?""
""Rebecca had an AirTag sewn into Lily's flower girl dress,"" Claire panted, pointing at the vehicle. ""Vance’s security team has been tracking your signal. They lost you when you cut through the alley, but they’re sweeping the warehouse perimeter right now. You have five minutes before they find this car!""
Julian reached into the backseat, quickly checking Lily’s dress. Concealed inside the lining of the tulle skirt was a small, round plastic tracker. He tore it free with his bare hands and crushed it beneath his heel.
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""Why did you write Dr. Chen’s name on that note?"" Julian demanded, pulling Claire to her feet by her coat collar. ""What does Elena have to do with this?""
Claire looked around the shadowed alley frantically, her eyes wide with terror. ""Elena didn't die of natural complications, Julian. She was murdered. And your fiancé paid for it.""
