Chapter 488: Chapter 488: Serena, Don’t Make Me Angry!
Titus Ashworth was sitting next to Serena Sterling. Seeing her so calm, he curiously chuckled, "Serena, do you know where I’m taking you?"
Serena Sterling nodded, "Of course I know, we’re leaving the City of Aethelgard, heading to your territory in the State of Westria."
"Since you know, why are you so calm now?"
Serena Sterling’s clear eyes settled on Titus Ashworth’s face, and she slowly curved her red lips, "I’m calm because I know someone will come to rescue me soon. Titus Ashworth, this is the City of Aethelgard. If I’m not mistaken, the city has been locked down. How are you planning to take me away?"
Serena Sterling was merely provoking him, knowing Titus Ashworth was someone who liked challenges. Sure enough, her words made him laugh heartily, "Serena, I know a secret passage from the City of Aethelgard to the State of Westria. We can leave smoothly through this passage, and no one knows about it."
Secret passage?
Serena Sterling’s eyes lit up; she was right in guessing that Titus Ashworth must have a plan. "Back then, my mother came from the State of Westria to Aethelgard through this passage, correct?"
"Serena, you are indeed as smart and clever as your mother. Yes, your mother used this passage back then."
Serena Sterling felt a kind of presence, as if she was getting closer and closer to her mother.
Half an hour later, a top black bulletproof car slowly stopped. Titus Ashworth personally opened the back door, "Serena, we’re here."
Serena Sterling got out of the car, her pupils constricting slightly. She was familiar with this place, having visited before. This was the backyard of the Academy’s radio station.
Now the dark red door she faced had a lock on it, and behind it lay a forbidden zone.
She had once stolen Yvonne Knight’s key to sneak inside, encountering an illusion and the two wolves there.
Serena had not expected to revisit these grounds, especially in this manner.
At this moment, Titus Ashworth held a key, stepping forward to unlock the door. With a click, the lock responded, and the dark red door creaked open.
Titus Ashworth gestured to her, "Serena, please."
Serena Sterling stepped inside.
Inside was the same dark forest without an end in sight. Titus Ashworth led the way at the front, familiar with the place, "Serena, walk carefully and follow me closely. Don’t stray off; there is an array left by your mother here. Once you enter the array, you could end up falling to your death."
Serena quickly realized Titus Ashworth was referring to the illusion she encountered previously when she stood at the edge of a cliff, nearly falling off.
Apparently, this array was left by her mother.
The array seemed akin to a heart-binding technique, where everything seen inside reflects human’s deepest and greediest desires.
However, she escaped last time, saved by Hayden Crawford.
The array appeared to have no effect on Hayden Crawford.
Could it be that Hayden Crawford carries secrets unknown to her?
What could it be?
Serena had not expected these events to involve Hayden Crawford, who should have remained separate from these matters, yet he seemed persistently connected.
At this moment, Serena felt her foot step onto soft mud, and in the next second, a large hand grabbed onto her slender wrist. Titus Ashworth pulled her out in an instant, "Serena, were you even listening? You can’t run around here. Just now you almost stepped into the array. If I hadn’t pulled you out in time, you’d have died without a trace!"
She had stepped into the array just now?
Serena’s bright watery eyes quickly flashed with a clever glint, her mind rapidly processing. Just now, she entered the array but saw nothing. Last time, as soon as she entered, she saw the second treasure chest left by her mother, implying that this time she didn’t encounter the illusion’s heart-binding technique!
Why?
Serena’s heart was stirred, yet her exquisite little face disclosed nothing. She merely said calmly, "Let’s keep moving. This time, I’ll stick close to you."
Titus Ashworth continued to lead the way upfront, winding accurately to avoid the array and walked out through the secret passage.
Serena followed behind, silently memorizing the secret path.
As they reached the end of the passage, dawn’s light flickered ahead. Serena looked up, knowing the State of Westria lay in front.
Once they entered Westria, it would be Titus Ashworth’s territory, and escape would be arduous.
"Serena, Westria is right ahead. See, I promised I could take you away from Aethelgard, and I did. No one could stop me." Titus Ashworth flaunted, laughing proudly.
Serena slightly raised her exquisite eyebrows, her red lips forming a subtle curve, "Governor Ashworth, you might have miscalculated. Look up, see who’s coming ahead!"
Titus Ashworth looked up, only to find a group emerging from the dawn, led by Julian Rathborne and Jude Crawford.
Julian Rathborne chuckled, "Governor Ashworth, you intended to take my daughter somewhere, but I warned you already, you wouldn’t get out of the City of Aethelgard."
Titus Ashworth shook his head in disbelief. Nobody was supposed to know about this secret passage. He didn’t expect Julian Rathborne to play the mantis stalks the cicada, but unaware of the yellow sparrow behind.
"Julian Rathborne, how did you know I was here?" Titus Ashworth asked.
Serena chuckled softly, "Governor Ashworth, I can answer that question for you. I’ve always had a shadow following me, 24 hours a day. Haven’t you noticed?"
What?
Titus Ashworth truly hadn’t noticed anyone tracking them. This person could follow quietly under his nose, which meant their skills must be phenomenal.
Who is this person?
At that moment, another group approached from behind, joining Julian Rathborne and Jude Crawford to surround Titus in the middle. At the forefront, stood a tall, handsome figure.
Hayden Crawford!
Hayden Crawford had arrived!
Serena’s clear gaze landed on Hayden Crawford’s handsome face, knowing he knew everything – that she had deliberately killed their child, that she planned to escape.
Serena looked at Hayden Crawford, and he looked back at her, his deep narrow eyes like ink spilled and spread, profound and unfathomable, resembling small abysses pulling anyone who met his gaze in.
Hayden Crawford slowly extended his hand, "Serena, come here, to my side."
Serena’s fair eyes gradually reddened, she shook her head, "Hayden, let me go. We’re over."
Hayden Crawford swiftly pressed his thin lips into a cold white line, "Serena, don’t make me angry."
At the word’s end, the shadow Silas appeared, grabbing Serena’s slender arm with lightning speed, and brought her to Hayden Crawford’s side.
Titus Ashworth looked at Silas, and behind Hayden were Corvus, their faces already changed.