Chapter 297

Chapter 297

"You'd better hurry up. I don't have much patience." The criminal's face was dark as he issued the warning.

Lisbeth took Sebastian's hand, turned slightly so her back was to the criminal, and said quietly, "Trust me."

Sebastian's brow was deeply furrowed.

"This isn't about trusting you."

The person across from them was a ruthless criminal. Sebastian hadn't forgotten how decisive he'd been when he tried to kill Megan last time.

If Lisbeth fell into his hands, what would happen to her…

He couldn't imagine.

"Who says I'll fall into his hands?" Lisbeth stood on her tiptoes, brought her lips to Sebastian's ear, and whispered something.

Sebastian's eyes flickered after hearing it.

"Can I trust you?" Lisbeth patted Sebastian's shoulder, looked up at him, and smiled. Her eyes could barely stay open from the rain battering her face, but the smile at the corners of her mouth was radiant.

Sebastian's lips moved. After an intense internal struggle, he finally looked away in defeat.

"Just this once."

His voice wasn't very clear in the rain, but Lisbeth heard it perfectly.

She pulled Sebastian toward the criminal.

The chief had thought Sebastian had talked her out of it. Now it seemed the opposite had happened. He immediately blocked their path.

"You should know we don't support hostage exchanges. And a woman facing a criminal alone—the danger multiplies." He stared hard at Sebastian.

He didn't understand how Sebastian, who'd seemed so worried about this woman just moments ago, could agree to such a dangerous demand.

Sebastian took a deep breath, placed his hand on the chief's shoulder, and slowly but firmly pushed him aside. As they passed each other, he said only one thing.

"Don't worry. I know what I'm doing."

The criminal hadn't expected them to agree either. Trading a frail woman for a man was clearly a bad deal for them.

Yet they'd agreed.

The criminal narrowed his eyes. When the two reached the middle, he suddenly spoke. "Stop. You, go back."

He meant Sebastian. Then he looked at Lisbeth.

"You, come here."

Lisbeth patted Sebastian's arm. Sebastian held back his fury and stayed where he was.

And Lisbeth walked toward the criminal step by step.

The clothes she wore were thin, already soaked through by the rain. She only had a black rain poncho that kept dripping water. Her hair was plastered to her face.

She really didn't look threatening at all.

The criminal slapped Leopold's face mockingly. "Didn't expect you to be worth so much. Someone's actually willing to risk themselves to save you."

Leopold's face was tight. He was extremely weak, his head spinning. He was only staying conscious through sheer willpower. He'd nearly bitten through his gums. "Lisbeth, go back."

His voice was hoarse and unpleasant.

Lisbeth ignored him. When she reached half a meter from the criminal, she suddenly spoke. "Let him go. This distance is enough for you to grab me at the same time you release him."

The criminal thought about it and agreed. He reached for Lisbeth's shoulder. She didn't struggle at all. The criminal pulled Lisbeth to his side and shoved the useless Leopold away.

He pushed him in Sebastian's direction. Sebastian had no choice but to catch him, which naturally blocked his line of sight.

At the same time, the criminal's gaze fell on Lisbeth's arm. He raised the knife high. "Don't blame me. I don't like prey that likes to run."

So to make his prey obedient, certain special measures could be used.

He gripped the knife and stabbed down viciously at Lisbeth.

"Lisbeth!"

Sebastian's voice rang out.

Lisbeth looked back and smiled at him.

The criminal also saw the smile on her face. Something about it felt strangely off. At a time like this, this woman could still smile?

Because he saw that smile, his hand holding the knife froze in midair for a split second.

Then someone kicked him hard in the side.

The criminal's body lurched uncontrollably to the side. The mud beneath his feet was slippery. He fell to the ground with a splat, his face hitting the mud.

He was completely dazed. He'd been watching those cops and Sebastian. Who had ambushed him?

He got his answer when the police grabbed him.

Noah wiped the water from his face and whistled. "Didn't expect that, did you? Ignoring me comes with a price."

Then he looked at Lisbeth, his tone ingratiating. "Mrs. York, are you okay?"

Lisbeth shook her head. "Your timing was perfect."

This had been the plan she and Sebastian had worked out from the start. Sebastian's idea was that he should be the one to deliver that kick, because he didn't trust anyone else.

But the problem was he was too obvious. If he suddenly disappeared, there'd be no way to circle around for a surprise attack. The criminal wouldn't have let his guard down.

The criminal had been fixated on Sebastian and the chief, completely ignoring Noah at the very back of the group.

Sebastian pulled Lisbeth into his arms. Though he knew blocking the rain now was pointless, he still raised his hand to shield her head. "Let's go. Let's go home."

Lisbeth was freezing too. Earlier, the tension had made her ignore the cold, but now curled up in his arms, her whole body was shivering.

Sebastian held her tighter.

On the way there, not knowing how far or how long they'd have to walk, the journey had felt endless. But on the way back, it was much faster.

Finally in the car, Sebastian turned on the heat. Lisbeth practically wanted to plaster herself against the warm air vents.

"So warm…"

Sebastian held her hands in his palms. Those fingers were ice-cold, like ice cubes. He breathed on her hands while telling Noah in the front seat, "Drive."

"Copy that!"

Noah hit the gas and the car shot through the rain.

An hour later, the car stopped in front of the villa. They hadn't gone back to Lisbeth's apartment.

Sebastian carried her inside, immediately turning on the heating. Lisbeth didn't even change her shoes. She went straight to the bedroom barefoot.

This wasn't her first time here. The room still had her pajamas and loungewear.

Lisbeth didn't look. She grabbed a set and rushed into the bathroom.

Downstairs, Sebastian found a guest room, took a quick shower, changed into loungewear, and went to the kitchen.

By the time he'd finished making ginger tea, Lisbeth was coming downstairs. She wore a white loungewear set and white slippers, like a splash of white in a pitch-black world.

Sebastian brought the tea to the living room, turned, and took her hand. Good—much warmer than before. "Drink this first, then get some sleep."

Lisbeth nodded. She actually had something she wanted to ask, but she felt this wasn't quite the right moment. She just lowered her head and silently drank the tea.

When she finished, Sebastian said, "Go rest. Make sure you're covered up. Don't catch cold."

"I…"

Lisbeth was struggling with how to bring it up when Noah arrived.

"Mrs. York, I found your phone."

Seeing Noah place the phone on the dining table, Lisbeth was momentarily stunned. "Where did you find it?"

"Actually, I didn't find it. Someone else did." Noah had originally planned to search for it. Following Mr. York's instructions, he'd give it a try—if he couldn't find it, they'd buy a new one.

Who knew he'd actually find it.

"The shop owner was decent. After finding the phone, he didn't hide it. We got lucky."

Lisbeth nodded and picked up the phone to examine it. It wasn't damaged at all, and there was no water damage. As she was looking at it, a number suddenly flashed on the screen—Leopold.

Lisbeth instinctively looked at Sebastian. He was sitting at the dining table, leisurely drinking coffee, seemingly completely unbothered.

Lisbeth steeled herself and answered the call.

It wasn't Leopold on the other end, but a hospital nurse.

"Is this Lisbeth? You need to come over right away. The patient has a fever and keeps calling your name. He won't cooperate with medication or injections."

Lisbeth said, "You should call his family."

"Aren't you his family? He keeps calling your name." Someone seemed to be calling the nurse over. She said hurriedly, "I'll be right there. The patient keeps calling for you. Come to the hospital right away. Don't interfere with our work."

Then she hung up.

Lisbeth stared at the phone for a long time, weighing how to talk to Sebastian about this.

But Sebastian spoke first. "Go see him."