Chapter 610: Clever Escape

Chapter 610: Clever Escape

Hugo frowned. He knew the guy was right. They had been running for so long, and if they tried to walk back, it would waste at least ten minutes, maybe even enough time for Elmwood and his crew to catch up.

The priority was to get out of there fast. He grabbed Melinda's arm. "Get in the car, now."

Seeing Melinda hesitate, he raised his knife threateningly. "Do I need to cut you to make you listen?"

"Fine," Melinda muttered, getting into the car. But just as Hugo got in, she suddenly opened the other door and bolted.

This time, she climbed over the median and ran to the opposite lane.

Hugo was furious. He never expected Melinda to be so stubborn.

He regretted not stabbing her legs earlier to keep her from running.

"Melinda, I'm warning you! You have no chance. If you try to run again, I swear I'll cut your tendons so you can never walk again."

Melinda glanced back at him, ignoring his threats, and kept running, waving for help from passing cars.

"Damn it! Help me catch her!" Hugo shouted.

He had threatened countless people in his life, but never met anyone as defiant as Melinda.

He thought she had given in out of fear, but she was still trying to escape.

Melinda ran cautiously, signaling for help from passing cars.

Hugo knew they were doomed if this continued. As he angrily climbed over the median, two cars stopped for Melinda.

Melinda quickly called out to the drivers, "Please help me! This is former Mayor Hugo. He's trying to kidnap me. Call the police!"

She mentioned Hugo's identity to draw attention, knowing the impact of a well-known name.

Hugo quickly tried to explain, "Sorry to bother you all. This is my sister. She has a mental illness. I'm taking her home for treatment, but she ran off. Please help me catch her."

Melinda shook her head. "I'm not his sister. I'm a hostage. He kidnapped me. You can look him up online. He was fired for corruption and harassment."

Seeing people pull out their phones, Hugo lunged at her, but Melinda hid behind a car.

"Please help me! My husband will reward you. This corrupt ex-mayor is after my family's money and is using me as leverage. He's a monster."

Her words stirred the crowd. More cars stopped, and Hugo knew he had to act fast.

"Don't listen to her. She's mentally ill. I'm taking her home."

Hugo charged at her, but Melinda, tearful, pleaded, "Please hold him off. My husband will be here in five minutes."

"Still lying? I'll lock you in a mental hospital," Hugo muttered, regretting his leniency and underestimating her.

He thought she would cooperate, but she had outsmarted him and incited the crowd.

He vowed to cut her tendons once he got her back, so she could never run again.

Just as he was about to grab her, two men stepped in his way.

"We don't think this lady is mentally ill. You look more like the kidnapper."

Hugo gritted his teeth. "Look closely. I'm Hugo, your former mayor. Do you think I'd kidnap someone?"

Melinda shook her head. "He's no longer mayor. We exposed him, and now he's kidnapping me for revenge."

Her logical explanation convinced the crowd. Hugo shook his head.

"She's lying. She's mentally ill. Don't believe her."

Melinda, exhausted, hid behind the crowd. She had no strength left to run and hoped to delay until Elmwood arrived.

"Thank you for helping me. He has a knife. Be careful. He's dangerous."

Hugo knew he had to act. He raised his knife, threatening, "Move, or I'll stab you."

He swung the knife wildly, scaring some people back into their cars.

Melinda couldn't expect them to risk their lives for her. She just needed to buy time.

Luckily, two men stayed, one grabbing a baseball bat from his car.

"Are you crazy? She's a stranger. Just ignore her," Hugo shouted.

One man replied, "No. If our families were in danger, we'd want help too."

"Right. We can't be indifferent. I've called the police. Leave now, or you'll be arrested," another added.

Melinda, moved to tears, was grateful for their support.

Hugo saw more people arming themselves with whatever they could find. He couldn't fight them all.

He took a deep breath, forcing a smile.

"Mrs. Sanctuary, let's stop this. I'll take you home."

Melinda glared. "Do you think I'll believe your lies? You can't take me. Just run."

Hugo watched helplessly as more cars stopped. The police would arrive soon.

His assistant honked, urging him to leave. Filled with rage, he had no choice but to retreat.

"Melinda, fine. You win this time. But I'll catch you again."

"Bring it on," Melinda shot back.