Chapter 494 The Lost Ring
Chapter 494 The Lost Ring
Quinton's voice quivered as he nervously felt her faint breath, "Are you cold? Or is it me that's got you like this?"
Quinton, usually tough and ruthless, was now a lovesick man in front of Hestia, ready to do her bidding.
"I'm dizzy, freezing, and so uncomfortable..."
Hestia whimpered softly in his arms, fragile like delicate glass. "Please, don't say things that make me suffer, Quinton... please, take me away from here, please... I can't take this pain anymore, it's killing me..."
"Okay! Okay! I'll get you out of here right now!" Without a second thought, Quinton lifted her and wrapped her cold body in his warm cloak.
Holding her like a precious treasure and a heavy burden, Quinton hurried towards the warm, bright main building of the estate.
The sound of his heavy footsteps and the rustling of fabric faded away as they disappeared into the well-lit area.
Meanwhile, under the lotus leaves, Ava relaxed as she saw Quinton leave.
Ava's tense nerves eased, but the icy pool water felt even colder, and exhaustion washed over her.
She couldn't linger in the pool any longer.
Ava wasn't sure when Quinton might return or how long it would take. The security at Kendiya Manor was still tight. If she didn't leave soon, the search party, finding no trace in the main building, would come to the backyard.
And Hestia...
Ava's eyes flickered with thought.
She wasn't sure why Hestia had helped her, but during the conversation between Hestia and Quinton, Ava sensed that Hestia was prying for information.
Important information.
Ava had to act fast, even if it was just for that information.
Taking a deep breath, Ava moved quietly to avoid splashing. The water-soaked clothes clung to her, making every movement a struggle. Stiff from the cold water, Ava fought with each step.
She had planned to swim silently to the other end of the pond, away from where the conversation had happened. But as she surfaced, Ava spotted a ring on the ground where Hestia had stood moments ago.
No need to guess; Ava knew it wasn't Quinton's, clearly a lady's accessory.
With a deep breath, she gripped the icy stone edge with all her might. Despite the pain as her knees hit the rough stones, she gritted her teeth, using the water's flow to pull herself onto the bank. There, she picked up Hestia's ring.
The cold night wind cut through her soaked clothes, making her shiver uncontrollably, teeth chattering. But beyond the cold, on Hestia's ring, Ava spotted a familiar emblem, her eyes welling up instantly, a long-lost bittersweet feeling flooding her heart.
She was...
Ava tucked the ring away, pushing down her emotions. Sentimentality had no place here!
Crouching behind the bushes, she curled up in the shadow by the pond, scanning her surroundings vigilantly.
No sounds nearby, no footsteps, just the rustling of leaves in the wind and distant insect chirps. Standing up, leaving wet footprints, she gazed at the sky. The moon had vanished behind dark clouds, signaling an impending rain in the city of Kiliath.
The rain would help hide her tracks.
With that in mind, Ava held her breath, swiftly moving to the courtyard wall she had scouted earlier. Confirming no one was around, she scaled the wall.
In a dim alley outside the estate, an inconspicuous dark carriage awaited. The coachman, recognizing her, nodded and opened the door respectfully.
Without hesitation, Ava entered, enveloped in warmth and the sweet scent of food.
"Let's go!" Ava said, wrapping herself in a soft blanket.
"Sure thing."
The door closed, shutting out the cold wind. The coachman's deep voice was reassuring as the whip cracked lightly, and the well-trained horse set off, disappearing into the night.
Inside, there were sweets and a new dress, likely prepared by Johnny or Michael. Just what Ava needed.
She changed into clean clothes, stowing the wet ones away. After a while, she reached for the ring she had found earlier.
An unexpected discovery at the Ramirez Villa tonight, but a significant one for Ava. Clutching the ring tightly, tears welled up as if reuniting with a long-lost friend.
Subconsciously, Ava cracked open the carriage window.
The rain poured down, shrouding the Ramirez Villa in darkness. Hestia's faint plea of "take me away" echoed in Ava's mind.
A mix of bitterness and confusion washed over Ava as she looked at the emblem on the ring and the name engraved inside. Exhausted, she closed her eyes, whispering in the empty carriage.
"To my beloved, Warren."