Chapter 168 Try Every Possible Means
She looked down at the smashed phone on the floor. The pieces reflected the light, just like her own hopes that were now in pieces.
That crazy Jason had actually trapped her and Leo here.
She walked to the bed and looked at Leo's sleeping face. The little guy had his brows slightly furrowed, maybe having a bad dream.
"Sorry, baby," Olivia gently stroked her son's hair, her voice choking up. "Mommy's fault for bringing you to such a dangerous place."
She felt anxious and angry inside. Anxious because she couldn't reach Luca, angry because she'd trusted Jason too easily.
She used to think Jason was mild and reliable, but he was so scary when he got obsessive.
No, she couldn't just sit there. She had to find a way to escape.
Olivia looked around the room, her eyes landing on the window.
The window was locked tight, and the glass looked thick, but she had to try.
She remembered the drawing markers Leo brought. The leads were plastic—maybe she could use one to pry open the window lock.
She quietly went to the desk where Leo's drawing stuff was.
She opened the marker box. Colorful markers were lined up neatly inside. She picked a red one, twisted off the cap, and pulled out the plastic lead.
The plastic wasn't too hard, but it might work on a simple lock.
She went to the window and carefully tried inserting the lead into the lock hole, gently prying.
A soft "click" made her heart jump with hope.
But then, footsteps came from downstairs, getting closer to the room.
Olivia got scared and stopped right away. She hid the lead in the curtain folds and hurried back to the bed, pretending to watch Leo sleep.
The door was knocked lightly twice, and her heart leaped to her throat.
"Olivia, I brought some fruit for you and Leo." It was Jason's voice.
Olivia took a deep breath and tried to sound calm: "No need, we're not hungry."
"Eat some. Leo will want it when he wakes up." Jason didn't wait for her refusal and pushed the door open.
He held a fruit plate with cut apples and strawberries—Leo's favorites.
Olivia's eyes flicked to the curtain, scared the lead would be found.
Jason put the plate on the nightstand, scanned the room, and finally looked at Olivia: "What were you doing just now?"
"Nothing," Olivia avoided his eyes. "Just watching Leo sleep."
Jason walked to the window and pulled the curtain. Olivia's heart raced, her palms sweating.
Luckily, he just tugged it casually and didn't find the hidden lead.
"The view here's not bad, right?" Jason's tone had a hint of testing. "Maybe we can walk in the yard together."
Olivia sneered inside. Who wanted to walk with him? She just wanted to escape now.
"No need, Leo might want to sleep more." She brushed him off.
Jason stared into her eyes, like he was trying to read her: "You don't seem happy. Still mad at me?"
"I'm not." Olivia forced the words out.
She could feel his gaze on her, that inspecting look making her uneasy.
Had he figured out she was trying to escape?
No way, her moves had been sneaky.
Jason was quiet for a few seconds, then smiled: "Actually, I know you're still thinking about Luca."
Olivia's heart skipped, but she didn't respond.
"But I'm not giving up," Jason said firmly. "I'll make you see how good I am—thousands of times better than Luca."
Olivia wanted to roll her eyes. How was he good like this?
"I'm tired and want to rest." She told him to leave.
Jason glanced at her, said nothing more, and left. Before going, he looked at the window again.
After he was gone, Olivia rushed to the window and got the lead.
That was too close—she almost got caught.
She tried prying the lock again, but no matter how hard, it wouldn't budge.
This lock wasn't simple. The plastic lead was useless.
She put it away, frustrated, and thought of other ways.
If the window wouldn't open, she needed another exit or something to contact the outside.
Soon, Leo woke up rubbing his eyes.
"Mommy, where are we?" The little guy asked sleepily, looking confused.
"We're staying at a friend's house," Olivia forced a smile to not worry him. "In a few days, Mommy will take you home."
Leo nodded and saw the fruit plate. His eyes lit up: "Mommy, strawberries!"
"Eat if you want." Olivia patted his head.
Leo popped a strawberry in his mouth and mumbled: "Mommy, I miss Uncle LO. When will he come see me?"
Hearing Luca's name made Olivia's heart ache.
She didn't know if Luca sensed something wrong or could find them.
"Uncle LO is busy. He'll come when he's done." Olivia could only comfort him like that.
Then the door was knocked again.
Olivia thought it was Jason and got annoyed.
"Come in." She said grumpily.
The door opened to a middle-aged woman in a maid's uniform, holding a glass of warm water.
"Ma'am, Mr. Compson asked me to bring water for you and the young master." The maid said politely.
Olivia relaxed and took the glass: "Thanks."
The maid put it on the table but didn't leave right away. She looked around the room.
Olivia tensed and asked warily: "Anything else?"
"No, call me if you need something." The maid left.
Olivia watched her go, feeling something off.
This maid looked unfamiliar. She hadn't seen her at the villa before.
Was Jason putting her here to watch her?
The more she thought, the more likely it seemed. Her unease grew.
In the afternoon, Jason came back.
He held a kite and a bag of snacks, smiling mildly.
"Olivia, is Leo awake?" He asked.
"Yeah, he's drawing over there." Olivia pointed to Leo by the desk.
Jason went over and ruffled Leo's hair: "Leo, want to go fly the kite in the yard?"
Leo looked up, eyes sparkling: "Fly a kite? Yay!"
He was bored of the room and got excited to go out.
Olivia's heart sank. She didn't want Leo alone with Jason, but couldn't refuse without a reason.
Refusing outright would anger him—who knew what he'd do.
"Okay," Olivia faked agreement. "But Leo's little, so take good care of him."
"Don't worry, I will." Jason smiled sincerely.
While Leo packed his markers, Olivia quietly grabbed the lead from behind the curtain.
She needed to hide it somewhere Jason wouldn't find.
She scanned the room, eyes landing on Leo's toy car.