The black sedan raced down the highway.
Emma Sullivan opened her eyes. The moment she recognized her surroundings, her pupils contracted sharply.
She tried to speak, but no sound escaped her throat.
Her eyes reddened. Her lips trembled. Her body stiffened like a marionette.
"Stay still, little girl."
The man in the baseball cap glared at her through the rearview mirror. "One wrong move, and I'll end you right now."
The setting sun's glow filtered through the window as he adjusted his cap. Then he noticed the relentless pursuit of another vehicle.
"Strange. How are they keeping up so well?"
The wiry man in the passenger seat smirked. "What's there to fear? At worst, we all go down together."
He swiftly opened the glove compartment and pulled out a compact pistol.
"The Sullivans rule A-City with an iron fist. Of course they'd chase us. But before nightfall, they won't dare act recklessly—not with this much traffic. Firing a shot would force us into a dead-end fight!"
Sophia Sullivan and Ethan Sullivan's car clung to the black sedan's trail.
She narrowed her eyes. "Intercepting them head-on is too risky. The traffic's too dense. One mistake could hurt Emma."
Ethan's voice was ice-cold. "Send two cars to flank them. Force them off the highway."
Bloodshot veins darkened his eyes. The air around him thickened with palpable menace.
Ian Watson wiped sweat from his brow. "Understood."
He knew better than anyone—if anything happened to Emma, his life was forfeit.
Sophia noticed Ethan's knuckles whitening as he repeatedly massaged his temples.
"Mr. Sullivan, Emma will be safe."
She handed him her personal perfume. "You need to stay calm."
Ethan accepted it, spritzing the fragrance onto his wrists.
His agitated nerves settled slightly.
"Thank you, Ms. Sullivan."
His long fingers tensed, veins protruding with restrained power.
Sophia kept her gaze locked on the car ahead. "Emma is my student."
Her expression remained composed, but murderous intent churned beneath the surface.
Ian caught a glimpse of her sharp profile in the rearview mirror.
Beautiful yet dangerous—just like Ethan.
Suppressing his fear, he asked, "Why would the kidnappers choose the northern route? The southern roads are easier for escape."
"They don't need to buy time." Sophia's tone was razor-sharp. "The sabotage at the competition and this kidnapping were orchestrated by the same person."
Ian's eyes widened in realization. "A diversion! They lured you away to kidnap Emma!"
But doubt lingered. "How did they confirm Zephyr was Mr. Sullivan?"
"Bribing the organizers, loosening the billboard, planting knockout scent..." Ian inhaled sharply. "The mastermind planned this meticulously."
Ethan's gaze darkened like an abyss.
"Some people have a death wish."