Chapter 258 Already Had His Eyes on Her
"That's Tobias Reynolds, son of the Seaside City Police Chief, Oscar Reynolds," Ruben explained with a cold snort. "He's notorious for his lechery. Any woman he sets his sights on never escapes his clutches."
"Judging by the WhatsApp message he just sent, he's definitely got his eyes on Scarlett. The fool doesn't know who he's messing with, going after Ambrose's woman."
Ruben, still focused on the phone, didn't notice the change in Ambrose's expression. "Oscar's location is showing as Luminous City. Is Scarlett in Luminous City?"
Ambrose had already set down his glass. His simple affirmation sent a jolt of alarm through Ruben. "That's dangerous," Ruben said quickly. "Does she have protection?"
Even as Ruben asked, Ambrose was already dialing. His voice sounded like a blade of ice when the call connected. "Did you have someone tailing Scarlett?"
The call was to Vaughn.
Earlier that afternoon, Scarlett had mentioned Vaughn had people protecting her, using it as a reason not to give Ambrose her address. Though he could have easily found it, he hadn't wanted to anger her further and had held back from sending his own men.
"Weren't you the one who always had her protected? What happened?" Vaughn's voice was sharp with alarm. His intuition screaming that Scarlett was in danger.
Ambrose had no time for explanations. "She might be in trouble. I'm contacting my people."
The call ended as abruptly as the words were spoken.
He rose from his seat, immediately dialing Chase. He ordered him to contact their assets in Luminous City at once, locate Scarlett, and ensure her safety. After handling that, he tried calling Scarlett directly, but the call went unanswered. He had no choice but to send a message.
[You're in danger. Answer your phone.]
A minute after he sent it, his phone rang with her name on the screen. He answered, his words clipped and urgent. "You're not safe. Send me your address and get back to your hotel immediately. My men will be there to meet you shortly."
Scarlett's voice was laced with impatience. "What danger am I in?"
Ambrose knew she wouldn't believe him, so he passed the phone to Ruben, who understood the gesture instantly.
"Scarlett, someone is targeting you. I happen to have his WhatsApp, and he just sent a picture of you. His messages… they make his intentions very clear. This guy has assaulted, if not a hundred women, then at least fifty. And his father is powerful. We'll tell you the details when you're back, but for now, get to your hotel. Stick to crowded places and do not be alone."
Scarlett knew Ruben wouldn't lie about something so serious. After a moment of consideration, she responded, "Alright, I understand."
She hung up and sent her current location via WhatsApp, including the name of her hotel.
The moment the message arrived, Ambrose forwarded it to Chase, instructing him to have his team intercept her. With those arrangements made, Ambrose didn't linger. He stood to leave, prompting Ruben to call out.
"Ambrose, we've barely had a drink. Where are you going?"
"No time. Next time."
Ruben started to protest again, but Felix stopped him. "He's rushing to Luminous City."
The realization dawned on Ruben. Ambrose was going to take his private jet. But even a private jet needed to have its flight path cleared, which took time. Would he make it?
Scarlett was currently wandering through the night market in Luminous City. She hadn't had the chance to explore it on her last visit, and since her current assignment was relatively light, she finally had the time.
Beside her was an assistant Soren had assigned, a young man named Atlas Morgan. He was a Luminous City local and his enthusiasm was infectious.
After the phone call, Scarlett mulled over the warning for a moment before turning to Atlas. "If there's nothing else, I think we should head back."
"Whatever you decide, Ms. Mellon."
She had already purchased a few small gifts for her children, little trinkets unique to Luminous City. Clutching her bags, she began to make her way through the throng of people, heading in the direction of her hotel.
The market was some distance away, but the route was lined with bustling streets.
Heeding the warning, Scarlett reminded Atlas to stick to the most populated areas, and he expertly guided her through the liveliest thoroughfares.
They had just exited the main stretch of the night market when a group of men materialized, blocking their path. Both she and Atlas stopped, their eyes fixed on the figures surrounding them.
Seeing the formation, Scarlett's mind flashed back to Ambrose's call. The enemy had found her. Her gaze swept over the burly men obstructing their way. 'Stay calm,' she told herself, her heart beginning to pound. 'You have to stay calm.'
"What do you want?" Atlas demanded beside her.
As his words faded, a man swaggered through the wall of thugs, his eyes locking onto Scarlett with a rapacious gleam. "Well, hello, beautiful. Fancy meeting you again."
Scarlett looked at him, recognizing the dyed-blond hair and the slightly dissipated-looking face that spoke of a life of excess.
It was the man who had nearly crashed into her car the other day.
Suddenly, Ruben's words echoed in her mind, and an alarm bell shrieked in her head. How could she run into him here?
He couldn't have been following her all this time, could he? The thought sent a wave of revulsion through her. She suppressed it and asked, her voice tight, "What do you want?"
Tobias took a step forward, a predatory smile spreading across his face. "To make friends, of course."
Scarlett took a reflexive step back. "I don't make friends with strangers. Please move."
"We've run into each other twice now. I'd say that makes us acquainted. Don't be so cold," Tobias purred, reaching for her hand.
She recoiled again, and Atlas moved swiftly to place himself in front of her. "I'm warning you, don't try anything," he said, his voice firm. "Or I'll call the cops."
Tobias laughed, a sound dripping with contempt. "Go ahead. Let's see who dares to arrest me. Even if they did, they'd let me go the second they knew who I was."
Atlas's face hardened. Seeing him blocking the way, Tobias's patience wore thin. He gave a curt gesture, and the men behind him surged forward, descending on Atlas in a flurry of brutal punches and kicks.
Amid the chaos, Scarlett screamed for help, but the onlookers scattered, no one daring to intervene.
She tried to move toward Atlas, but Tobias caught her, pulling her into an embrace. "Don't you worry about him," he murmured against her hair. "Wouldn't want you to get hurt. I'd be heartbroken."
She struggled, but his strength was overwhelming. Just as he leaned in to kiss her, she cried out, "Make them stop! Stop hitting him! I'll be your friend."
She knew her only option was to feign compliance. She had to save Atlas first, or they would beat him to death. She couldn't bear the thought of someone else getting hurt because of her.
Seeing her change of heart, Tobias grinned triumphantly. He ran a hand over her cheek, his touch slimy and possessive. "You should have just said so from the start. Would've saved us all this trouble."
"Just tell them to stop," Scarlett pleaded, her eyes fixed on the men who were still pummeling Atlas. Her heart was lodged in her throat.
"Alright, that's enough!" Tobias commanded.
His men ceased their assault. Scarlett saw Atlas curled into a ball on the ground, clearly in immense pain.
"I need to check on my friend," she said.
"No need. He's not dead," Tobias said, his lecherous gaze devouring her. "Now, come with me, and my men won't bother him again."
Scarlett knew he had power; Ruben's words confirmed it. Tobias was influential, which was why he could act with such impunity. She couldn't afford to provoke him to anger. She had to play along.
"I need to see him leave safely with my own eyes," she insisted. "Then I'll go with you."
She had to get one of them to safety. If one of them could escape, there was a chance he could get help for her. Otherwise, neither of them would get away.