Chapter 609: Striving to Escape

Chapter 609: Striving to Escape

Hugo had gone through so much trouble to capture Melinda, and he hadn't gotten what he wanted yet. There was no way he was letting her go.

He needed to shake off the pursuers and then figure out how to negotiate with Elmwood.

The situation had escalated so quickly that he didn't have time to think. He just grabbed Melinda and ran.

In hindsight, he realized they didn't need to flee. With Melinda in his grasp, they wouldn't dare make a move. But he feared they might have a sniper ready to take him out.

His assistant tried to use the tablet to check their location, but the car was moving too fast. He felt dizzy and opened the window to vomit.

"Useless! You can't even handle this simple task," Hugo snapped.

The assistant tried several times but couldn't operate the tablet at that speed. He was completely disoriented.

Melinda took the tablet from him and started swiping on the screen. "Let me handle it."

"No way. Put the tablet down," Hugo ordered. He couldn't let her operate it; she would definitely contact Elmwood for help.

"Your assistant is useless right now. If you don't let me help, no one will be able to check anything for you."

"I said put it down!" Hugo warned.

But Melinda ignored him and opened the page. Hugo slammed on the brakes, causing everyone to lurch forward. Melinda managed to grab the handle in time, but the assistant wasn't so lucky.

Already dizzy, the sudden stop sent him flying into the driver's seat, pinning Hugo.

"Get off me, you idiot!"

Melinda seized the moment, smashing the tablet over Hugo's head and then bolting out of the car.

Hugo's head spun. By the time he regained his senses, Melinda was already running.

He slapped the assistant across the face. "You idiot! Melinda's getting away. Go after her!"

The assistant stumbled out of the car, but Hugo kicked him aside in frustration. "Useless!" he cursed, grabbing a knife from the car and shouting after Melinda.

"Melinda, stop right there! If I catch you, I swear I'll kill you."

Melinda couldn't stop. Elmwood and his team were on their way. If she could just keep running, she might meet up with them.

But falling into Hugo's hands again was unthinkable. She didn't trust him at all. He was after more than just their property; he wanted their lives.

As long as Elmwood was alive, Hugo knew he would be hunted down.

"Stop running! When I catch you, I'll skin you alive."

"You're pregnant! If you keep running, you'll lose the baby. I was just trying to scare you. We still have a deal, Mrs. Sanctuary. Don't get too worked up."

A calm beast is the most dangerous because it often harbors the most sinister plans.

Melinda knew running like this wasn't good for the baby, but she also knew what awaited her if Hugo caught her.

"Mrs. Sanctuary, there's a car ahead. Be careful. This is a highway. If you get hit, it's over."

Tears streamed down Melinda's face as she kept running, never looking back.

But the difference in strength between men and women was becoming apparent. She was slowing down, and Hugo's footsteps were getting closer. She was on the verge of collapse.

"Keep running! Don't stop, or I'll kill you," Hugo taunted, his voice dripping with malicious glee. He was confident now.

Melinda knew what awaited her if she was caught. She clenched her fists and shouted, "Elmwood, help me! I can't hold on much longer."

Hugo heard her and knew she was losing hope. Her fear was palpable.

He decided to crush her remaining hope. "Melinda, you don't know, do you? When they come for you, they'll have to park far away to avoid detection. Even if they're fast, they'll be at least half an hour behind me. Can you keep running that long?"

Melinda's last shred of hope vanished. If Elmwood and his team were right behind her, they might save her. But if they were half an hour away, she couldn't hold out that long.

Her pace slowed, and Hugo was now walking briskly. She could see his smirk out of the corner of her eye.

She gritted her teeth. She couldn't let him catch her again. She had to escape.

Hugo was right behind her but didn't grab her, savoring her torment.

"Mrs. Sanctuary, can you still run? If not, take a break. I'll get you some water."

Melinda slowed down, her body nearing exhaustion. If she kept this pace, she would eventually collapse.

She finally stopped, bending over and gasping for air. She felt discomfort in her stomach, likely from the stress and exertion affecting the baby.

Hugo approached with the knife, smiling. "Why did you stop running?"

Melinda glared at him. The blood from the tablet strike on his forehead was a stark reminder of her defiance.

Hugo made sure she saw the wound, reminding her of what she'd done.

Melinda turned away, refusing to look at him.

Hugo waved the knife in front of her. "Mrs. Sanctuary, don't you have anything to say? Or do you think I deserved this? How are you going to settle this score?"

Melinda glanced behind her, hoping for a rescue that hadn't come.

She thought she could escape, but now she was back in this madman's clutches.

"You attacked me twice before. I hit you once. We're even."

"So, you remember. Are you planning to get back at me?"

"If I said no, you wouldn't believe me. Anyone would want revenge after being attacked. Isn't that why you captured me?"

Hugo was momentarily speechless, then nodded. "Fair enough. We're even."

Melinda had no intention of letting it go. If anything happened to her baby, she would make him pay with his life.

The assistant reversed the car, urging, "Mr. Graves, get in. I was warned by the highway patrol's drone. They'll be here any minute."

Hugo frowned and slapped him. "You idiot! Who told you to reverse? We already have pursuers, and now you've drawn more attention. Do you have a death wish?"

He was a former mayor, disgraced but still a notable figure. If the highway patrol saw their car, it would cause more trouble.

The assistant protested, "If I didn't reverse to pick you up, you'd have to run back. What if Elmwood caught up? Get in the car!"