Chapter 248 CHAPTER 0248

Chapter 248 CHAPTER 0248
LAUREN'S POV

Roman let out a small smile and folded his hands across his chest, the kind of calm, confident expression he always had whenever he already knew how things were going to end. He didn’t even flinch or step back. He just stood there, relaxed, like the situation in front of him wasn’t dangerous at all.

“You see something about me,” he said, his tone calm but carrying that quiet warning underneath. “I am very protective of my woman. So for the fact that you even tried this little fiasco, you should know you’re already in trouble. Last chance.”

The room went silent for a moment after he said that. The four men eyed him like he had just spoken a foreign language. Then, one of them smirked and stepped forward, cracking his knuckles loudly like he was warming up for a fight.

“I’ll take my chances,” he said confidently, rolling his shoulders. “I wanna see what you can do, pretty boy.”

Their leader, the same one who had been speaking boldly before, took a step closer too. He looked Roman up and down with a slow grin spreading across his face.

“And since you’re so protective of your woman,” he said, tapping his finger against his chest mockingly, “once we’re done beating you, we’re gonna make you watch what we do next.”

A sharp chill ran down my spine. I glanced at Roman, but he didn’t even blink at the threat. Instead, he tilted his head slightly and breathed out a soft laugh.

“Now here’s the thing between being rich and being jobless like you fellows,” Roman said, his voice dropping lower. “You guys go around beating people all day and having sex, being completely useless. I, on the other hand, worked my way up to glory. And with that glory comes power.”

The men looked at each other again, this time more amused than before. One of them let out a loud laugh and slapped the shoulder of the guy next to him.

“Is this guy a comedian or what?” he said. “Bro, we’re about to fuck you up.”

Roman didn’t argue. He didn’t move. He didn’t even raise his voice. He simply said:

“You can come in.”

At first, I didn’t understand who he was talking to. He didn’t look at anyone when he said it. But then—

We heard footsteps. Not small, not quiet. Heavy, organized footsteps marching directly toward the room.

The men turned around. Elizabeth turned around too, confusion spreading through her face. And in seconds, police officers swarmed into the room.

Uniforms everywhere. Flashlights. Weapons. Commands being shouted so sharp they could cut through metal.

“GET ON THE FLOOR NOW!”

The sound echoed throughout the room.

The men froze. For the first time since this whole thing started, they looked unsure. Their faces twisted from arrogance to shock, like their brains were trying to catch up with the reality in front of them.

Even I was shocked.

Roman had walked in like he came alone, like he was about to fight four grown men by himself. But instead… he came prepared. More than prepared. He came with backup. Serious backup.

Slowly, the men raised their hands and dropped to their knees. They knew there was nothing more they could do. One wrong move and the officers would tackle them into the floor.

Roman finally stepped forward, his posture calm and proud. He gestured casually toward the officers surrounding the room.

“You honestly thought I was going to try and fight all four of you?” he asked. “I’m not stupid, neither am I a superhero. But you see, this right here…” he said, pointing at the police officers waiting for his command, “was the power I told you comes with glory.”

Then he turned toward the chief officer who had stepped in front.

“You can take them all away,” Roman said plainly. “Especially her. She was the one who organized all this.”

He pointed directly at Elizabeth.

“Arrest them all,” the chief ordered immediately.

Within seconds, officers stepped forward, pulling out handcuffs and moving to restrain each person. The men didn’t resist, they knew better. Even Elizabeth, who had been bold and confident before, suddenly looked thrown off balance.

I stood there frozen, still shocked at everything happening so fast. One moment, I was cornered with no way out, and the next, Roman had turned the entire situation around.

My legs felt weak, almost like they couldn’t hold my weight anymore. But somehow, I pushed myself forward and rushed into Roman’s arms, hugging him as tightly as I could.

It hadn’t even been an hour since I last saw him, but this moment… it reminded me too much of what happened with Ethan. Different person, different situation, but the same kind of danger and the same kind of rescue. The same fear that something terrible would happen. The same overwhelming relief that hit me after.

“I’m glad you’re safe,” Roman said softly, pulling back just enough to look at me.

Tears welled in my eyes. I thought he would be angry that I went alone after running out on him earlier. I thought he would yell, or at least scold me. But instead, here he was — saving me again, keeping me safe even when I put myself in danger.

“I’m sorry I went alone,” I whispered, wiping my face quickly. “I should have listened to what you wanted to say. This is all my fault.”

Roman shook his head instantly, his eyes firm.

“You see, now that is what I don’t want at all,” he said. “I knew you were going to blame yourself. You always do. That’s why earlier I told you, don’t blame yourself. Everything is okay now. The situation is handled, and you’re safe.”

More tears slipped out, and he gently wiped one away with his thumb.

“Where’s Aria?” I asked quietly. “Who’s with her?”

“Tessa,” he said. “She’s also waiting to give you a big scolding when you get back.”

I let out a small laugh through the tears, even though my body was still shaking inside. Everything felt overwhelming, but hearing that made something inside me feel lighter.

“I know what you just found out is shocking,” Roman said softly. “So I wouldn’t blame you or make things worse.”

Before I could respond, a sharp voice cut through the room.

“Hey! Stop there!”

Roman and I both turned toward the entrance.

Elizabeth.

She wasn’t in cuffs. She wasn’t being held back. She wasn’t even surrounded.

She was standing by the doorway, breathing hard, her eyes darting around like someone ready to bolt.

“What’s going on?” Roman demanded, turning toward the chief.

The officer stepped forward quickly.

“She managed to slip through the cuffs and move past us,” the chief said with a frustrated sigh. “But we’ll find her. She hasn’t gotten far in a neighborhood like this.”

He gave a reassuring nod, but Roman and I both stared at the empty doorway where Elizabeth had just stood.

She was gone.