Chapter 187 Exhausting Every Means
Watching their backs as they left, Arthur and Clara looked at each other. They both saw worry in each other's eyes.
"It's definitely something bad with Olivia," Clara said anxiously. "That crazy Jason must have her under control. That's why he sent his guy to say that."
"I think the same," Arthur nodded. "He's probably using Leo to threaten Olivia or force us."
"What do we do now?" Clara looked at Leo beside her, her heart full of pain. "Leo's so young. We can't let him get hurt."
In the hospital room, Luca was still unconscious, his face pale.
Leo saw Luca on the bed. Worry filled his little face. "Grandpa, Grandma, what's wrong with Daddy? When will he wake up?"
Clara squatted down and touched Leo's head gently. "Daddy's just sleeping. He'll wake up soon. Don't worry."
"But why is Daddy sleeping so long?" Leo frowned. "Is he sick?"
"Yeah, Daddy doesn't feel well," Arthur walked over and said to calm him. "When Daddy gets better, he'll play with you and take you for good food."
Leo nodded like he half-understood. He didn't ask more, but the worry stayed on his little face.
He could feel the adults were all upset. Something bad must have happened.
Soon, Luca woke up. When Clara saw his eyes open, tears fell from excitement.
"Luca! You're awake!" Arthur let out a sigh of relief and quickly called the doctor to check.
After the check, the doctor said Luca was fine, just needed good rest.
Luca gave a weak smile, his eyes full of tiredness. "Mom, I'm okay. Where's Olivia? Leo?"
The first thing he thought of after waking was Olivia and Leo.
Clara and Arthur exchanged a look, their faces showing trouble.
"Olivia..." Clara paused, then told Luca what happened. "Jason took her away. He sent someone for Leo and said Olivia won't come back."
Luca's face went pale right away, anger burning in his eyes. "Jason! That lunatic! I'll go find him now!" He struggled to get out of bed.
"Don't rush!" Arthur held him down. "You just woke up. Your body's still weak. You can't move yet. We've added more guards for Leo and sent people to track Jason. Don't worry. We'll find Olivia."
Luca gritted his teeth. Ignoring his injuries, he started telling people to look for Olivia.
Over the next few days, Luca rested while keeping track of the search.
Meanwhile, at the villa.
Olivia had acted obedient for days. Jason's watch on her had dropped a lot.
Jason came to see her and found her staring out the window.
"Baby, what are you thinking?" Jason walked over, sat next to her, and held her hand.
Olivia turned to him, a mix of feelings in her eyes. "I'm thinking about us."
Joy flashed in Jason's eyes. Before he could speak, Olivia went on. "I want to go out shopping. Staying in the villa all the time makes me feel like I'm suffocating. Fresh air might help me think straight."
Jason frowned and wanted to say no.
"I know you're worried about me." Olivia saw his worry and held his hand gently. "I won't run. After these days together, I feel your real feelings for me. I want to try accepting you. But my head's a mess right now. I need some space to sort it out. Come with me, okay?"
Her voice had a bit of a whine, her eyes full of hope. Jason couldn't say no.
Jason saw her red eyes and softened. He wanted Olivia to really accept him. Maybe going out would help her forget the past.
"Okay," Jason nodded. "I'll go with you. But only the nearby mall. No going far."
"Thanks, Jason." Olivia gave a small smile, but a quick plan flashed in her eyes.
Before they left, Olivia asked Sophia for a lighter.
Soon, Jason took Olivia out, with four bodyguards around them. They looked heavily guarded.
The car drove for over half an hour and reached a big mall nearby.
The mall was full of people coming and going, very busy.
Olivia looked at the crowds, her heart racing with excitement.
"Where do you want to go?" Jason held her hand gently, but his eyes kept scanning around carefully.
"Just wander around," Olivia smiled. "I want to look at clothes."
They went into a women's clothing store. Jason told the bodyguards to wait outside and went in with Olivia.
Olivia picked up a dress and pretended to hold it up to the mirror. But she glanced around at the mall's layout.
She saw signs for the fire exits and got an idea.
"Jason, I don't feel good. I need to use the bathroom." Olivia put down the dress, held her stomach, and made her face look pale.
"What's wrong? You okay?" Jason got worried fast.
"It's nothing, maybe something bad from breakfast," Olivia shook her head. "Wait here. I'll be right back."
"I'll come with you." Jason started to follow.
"No need," Olivia said quickly. "Just wait here. I can go alone."
Jason paused. Seeing how bad she looked, he nodded. "Okay, hurry back. Call me if anything happens."
"Uh-huh." Olivia nodded and walked toward the bathroom.
In the bathroom, Olivia locked a stall door and pulled the lighter from her pocket.
She grabbed some tissues from her bag fast, balled them up, and lit them.
The flames shot up quick. She threw the burning ball in the trash can, then banged on the door hard. "Fire! Help! Fire!"
Soon, the other women in the bathroom saw the fire and screamed as they ran out.
The fire alarm went off, its loud sound filling the whole mall.
"Fire! Everyone evacuate!" The mall speakers came on, telling people to go to the safe exits.
The whole mall fell into chaos. People rushed out, screams and footsteps everywhere.
Olivia used the mess to run down the fire stairs.
She didn't dare take the elevator, scared Jason would block it. She ran down step by step, heart pounding, palms sweaty.
Back at the clothing store, Jason heard the alarm and saw Olivia wasn't back. A bad feeling hit him.
He ran out and grabbed a bodyguard. "Where's Olivia? She went to the bathroom and hasn't come back?"
"No, sir. We've been at the door. We didn't see Miss Ross come out." The bodyguard answered fast.
Jason's face turned dark with anger. He knew Olivia had run during the chaos.
"Quick! Block all exits! Find her! Turn this mall upside down and bring her back!" Jason yelled, eyes full of rage and panic.
The four bodyguards split up and started searching the mall like crazy for Olivia.
Olivia got to the bottom of the stairs and out the fire door. The crowd outside swept her along.
She didn't stop. She ran with the people, thinking only of getting away fast, out of Jason's control.
Right then, a strong hand grabbed her waist from behind and pulled her tight into a hug.
Olivia froze in fear, thinking it was Jason's men. She struggled hard. "Let go! Let go!"
"Stop it, it's me." A familiar but strange man's voice came in her ear, a bit rough, but it made her feel safe for some reason.