Chapter 114
Ashley picked up her teacup to take a sip, but her hand was shaking so badly the tea nearly spilled.
"Yes, Lucas has grown up. He makes his own decisions now."
She looked at them—surrounded by children and grandchildren, living happily. Meanwhile, she had nothing but an empty estate and a son who was drifting further and further away.
……
That afternoon, Juliana drove Damian and Matthew home.
Through the rearview mirror, she watched them looking carefree and smiled.
At a red light, she stopped the car.
Out of the corner of her eye, a black sedan pulled up in the opposite lane, window half-open. She glanced at it briefly, then looked away.
"Mommy, are you free this afternoon? We want to go to the park," Matthew asked.
"Of course I'm free," Juliana said with a smile.
The light turned green. She hit the gas.
After driving a bit further, Juliana's instincts kicked in. That feeling of being watched wasn't her imagination. She checked the rearview mirror again.
The black sedan was right behind her, keeping a consistent distance.
Juliana's heart tightened. She observed carefully without making it obvious. When she sped up, the car sped up. When she slowed down, it slowed down too.
She grabbed her phone and called Lucas.
"Lucas, I think someone's following me."
Lucas's voice immediately went cold. "Don't panic. Where are you? I'm coming now."
"I'm on my way home. About five minutes out."
"Put the phone on speaker and set it down."
Juliana did as he said.
"Now listen. At the next intersection, turn right. Then immediately turn left into that alley." Lucas's calm voice came through.
Juliana's heart was racing. She checked the rearview mirror. The black car was still tailing her relentlessly.
"Mommy, what's wrong?" Damian sensed something was off. He put down his tablet and looked up.
"It's okay. We're playing a game. Let's see if Mommy can lose the car behind us."
She yanked the wheel hard. The car made a sharp turn into the alley Lucas had mentioned.
Juliana gripped the steering wheel tight as the car bounced forward.
Damian and Matthew were startled by the sudden acceleration and bumpy ride. Their faces went pale, but they gripped their seatbelts and stayed quiet.
The black sedan followed them in, but clearly wasn't used to these road conditions. It slowed down.
"Lucas, they're still following!" Juliana said.
"Keep going. There's a gate at the end of the alley. My people will be there." Lucas's voice carried a cold edge. "Don't stop. Push through!"
In the rearview mirror, the black sedan had fallen back a bit, but it was still persistent.
Juliana took a deep breath and floored it.
The gate swung open.
Several black SUVs were already waiting. Well-trained bodyguards quickly got out and surrounded Juliana's car.
Almost simultaneously, the pursuing black sedan was blocked at the mouth of the alley.
The door opened. Ashley stepped out, her face ashen, followed by several nervous-looking bodyguards.
She immediately spotted Juliana's car surrounded by Lucas's men, all on high alert. Her chest heaved violently.
"Juliana! Get out here!"
Juliana opened the car door. Lucas had already gotten out of one of the SUVs and walked straight to her side.
"Mom."
Ashley's gaze went past Lucas to the two children in Juliana's backseat. Damian and Matthew were curiously watching what was happening outside, their faces still pale from the chase.
"Dami! Matty!" Ashley's tone softened, taking on an urgent edge. "Come to Grandma! Grandma will take you home!"
Damian pressed closer to Juliana and said nothing. Matthew just shook his head, his little hand clutching Juliana's sleeve.
Ashley's expression froze. She forced a smile. "Come here! I bought you lots of toys!"
But the two boys just looked at her, no warmth in their eyes. Damian even buried his head behind Juliana's back, refusing to look at her.
Ashley was humiliated. In front of all these people, the kids were giving her zero respect. She turned to Lucas, her tone commanding. "Lucas, look at them! Tell them to come here now!"
Lucas didn't move. He simply said quietly to Juliana, "The kids are scared. Take them to the car to rest."
Juliana nodded and took the boys to one of the SUVs.
Ashley was livid. "Lucas! What is the meaning of this?!"
"Mom, stalking my wife and children—is this your idea of 'caring' for family?" Lucas's gaze turned cold as he stared at Ashley.
"I... I just wanted to see my grandsons!" Ashley protested weakly. "You're hiding them from me. What choice did I have?"
"The kids have their own choices," Lucas said. "They don't want to see you. You should respect that."
"Respect?!" Ashley trembled with rage. "You'd turn your back on your own mother for that woman?! I'm telling you, Lucas—I'm your mother! You owe me an explanation!"
"An explanation?" Lucas repeated the word with contempt. "What explanation do you want? Should I tell everyone how you tried to hurt Juliana? How you tried to turn me against my own children?"
Ashley's face went from red to white.
"I..." She opened her mouth but couldn't speak.
"Mom, please leave." Lucas was direct. "If you do anything else to hurt Juliana or the kids, I won't hold back out of respect for our relationship."
Ashley stared at him. The son who used to be so obedient, so dutiful—now so cold-hearted over some woman.
She'd lost completely today.
Ashley shot Lucas one last venomous look, then turned and stumbled back to her car.
Her bodyguards followed suit.
"Drive!" she barked at the driver, fury barely contained in her voice.
The black sedan started up. Through the window, Ashley watched Lucas walk to the SUV carrying Juliana and the kids, personally opening the door and helping them in.
Their convoy pulled away, disappearing from view.
Ashley's eyes practically blazed with rage.
Watching that car drive farther away, her fury finally broke through the dam of reason.
"Stop!" Ashley suddenly shouted.
The driver froze and instinctively hit the brakes.
"Back up! Ram into them! Run them all down!"