Chapter 121: Stepped Into A Trap

With that, she turned and walked further into the woods. Myra looked between Rhonda and Aurelia. After a moment’s indecision, she rushed after Aurelia, who was already speaking.

“The rules are simple: Do as I ask you and protect yourself. As long as you don’t drag me down, I will fund your dreams and education. If some day, you want to leave, I will allow you to go.”

Myra bowed her head. Being brought up in the Beckett family, there was not a single bone of rebellion in her. “I will lay my life for you, if you wish.”

Aurelia stopped. “I want your loyalty. Not your life.” There was an underlying warning that took Myra by surprise.

“Yes, Madam.”

“Miss Cromwell,” she corrected. “You may call me Miss Cromwell when no one is around.”

Myra looked on in confusion.

“I need you to be loyal to me, not the family I married into,” she offered in the form of an explanation.

Myra wasn’t sure what that meant, but she nodded regardless. Aurelia chuckled and shook her head before walking further into the woods.

A loud pop erupted in the distance and startled birds rushed away. Aurelia whipped in the direction of the sound, stopping completely.

“Was that a gunshot?” she asked out loud.

Myra had faintly heard it. But without a doubt, that was a shot.

“Miss Cromwell, it’s not safe. Let’s return,” she said urgently.

Aurelia turned around and started walking back when she heard rustling from the woods. She stiffened and reached out to grab Myra’s hand.

“Quickly.”

She had taken a few steps when a disheveled man broke through the treeline. He was doubled over, but he watched them from under his lashes.

Myra threw herself between the man and Aurelia instinctively.

“Don’t move,” Myra commanded, taking Aurelia by surprise.

Myra looked like she was all brawn and no brains, but when things went south, she snapped into action effortlessly.

If Aurelia weren’t staring at the man, she would have been impressed.

“An assassin has escaped, Madam. We are chasing him down… Have you seen anyone suspicious?”

Myra sneered as her arms were raised protectively in front of Aurelia, blocking her body from harm.

‘You look mighty suspicious.’

“We haven't seen anyone,” Aurelia said firmly. “Go back where you came from.”

The man’s eyes darkened, but he didn’t move. His hand was pressed over his side, and Aurelia swore she saw blood soaking through his black shirt. Moreover, it was too filthy to be a guard.

This man didn’t have a gun. It had been stripped from him when he was caught. But underestimating a trapped rat was the worst thing one could do in this situation.

Casper had mentioned there being assassins in custody, but she thought it was an excuse to execute Sharon.

But now, seeing a possible assassin, she suddenly understood why Casper was always on guard. Without her knowing, someone had tried to sneak in to kill them. And Casper had trained his people so well that no one got wind of it.

She was truly impressed.

“Mrs. Beckett–”

Everyone, including the mobsters had changed their address already. Only outsiders called her Mrs. Beckett, now.

“Myra, it’s time to head home.”

She didn’t want to wait around and get embroiled in this trouble. Aurelia heard the crunching of dry leaves. The footsteps were measured and approaching them at a rapid pace.

“Yes, Miss.” Myra faced the injured man and slowly backed away, keeping pace with Aurelia.

They reached the path before Aurelia and Myra could retreat. They tackled the prisoner down to the ground. He struggled on the dirt path, hissing and cursing. His eyes lingered on Aurelia for a long time, a mixture of helplessness and rage within them before he was completely subdued.

They hauled him to his feet and dragged him back into the trees. Aurelia flinched when he fell over and smashed his face into a rock.

Her eyes flickered to the men who carried him. They had done it on purpose.

Blood poured out of his crooked nose and he gasped for air as he was dragged back up and away from her sight.

Myra remained on guard, looking around, waiting for someone to attack.

A man in black, probably a guard, stepped in front of them and bowed deeply. “Madam, I am sorry for the inconvenience,” he said curtly.

“Make sure the prisoner doesn’t escape again. They came too close to the mansion,” she said under her breath.

“Yes, Madam,” he replied softly. “It’s unsafe in the woods, let me escort you back.”

The tension in Myra’s shoulders melted. She lowered her hand and waited for Aurelia’s signal.

Aurelia raised her brow. “No need, I have my guard accompanying me.”

The man ignored Myra. She didn’t look so bold when faced with men who had years of fighting dirty.

“Master Casper knows of our lapse in security and wishes to apologize to you in person.”

'Damnit. I’ve stepped into a trap.'

Casper was not in town. But these guards didn’t know this yet. Still, they claimed to be affiliated with him.

Someone knew how close she was with Casper. Or, they wanted to test her out.

Her mind whirled with possibilities and she opened her mouth to speak.

“Is that so?” a female voice interrupted.

Aurelia looked over her shoulder to find Rhonda watching them warily.

“Madam is not familiar with Master Casper. And if he wishes to speak to her, he can do so at the mansion, in the presence of others.” Her voice was loud and authoritative.

The guard panicked. “Madam, I meant no disrespect–”

Aurelia sighed. “This isn’t the first time your master has disrespected me,” she snapped. “If he wants to pin me as a co-conspirator and execute me, he can try me in front of the Patriarch.” She glared at the guard.

His face was unfamiliar and by this point, Aurelia knew a lot of Casper’s closest confidants. He was not one of them. So, she could confidently reprimand them.

“My apologies Madam, but Master Casper has asked me to escort you. Please don’t make this difficult for me.”