Chapter45 Serafina's Escape

Chapter45 Serafina's Escape
Third-person POV
"Serafina is being held in Jareth’s East Wing with no way to contact the outside world. She sent me to tell you this: if you can get her out, she’ll give you twenty percent of the South District’s distribution profits. And she has enough dirt on the family to keep you alive."
Gavin's eyes lit up at the mention of profit. "I can barely save myself right now. Aron's people are watching my every move. Forget rescuing her—I have to report just to leave the house. How am I supposed to pull this off?"
His confidant pressed urgently, "If you don't help, Miss Serafina is finished, and you won't be much better off! If she gets out, she can help you contact old family allies. That's better than being under Aron's thumb, isn't it?"
The two haggled back and forth, completely unaware that Aron's men had already heard every word from the shadows at the mouth of the alley.
The subordinate immediately reported back to Aron, who was already fuming over the counterfeit money incident at the port. When he heard that Serafina was trying to get Gavin to rescue her, he began scheming.
Serafina was Jareth's adopted daughter. Even if she'd lost her position, she surely still had plenty of Camorra family secrets. Especially old ledgers and connections. If he could rescue her and use her as a pawn, he could both pressure Jareth and extract more useful information from her. Much better than keeping tabs on that useless Gavin.
Aron sneered. "Interesting. Go get Gavin. I want to hear how he plans to rescue this precious young lady."
Soon, Gavin was brought before Aron. One of Aron's men kicked him in the knee, sending him crashing to the floor with a thud.
Aron sat with his legs crossed. "Had a nice chat with Serafina's people, did you? Want to save her? Fine. I'll help you."
Gavin froze, looking up at Aron in confusion. "Mr. Aron, you... you're willing to help me?"
Aron was blunt. "I'm not helping you. I'm helping myself. Serafina is still useful to me. Once we get her out, whatever dirt she has on the Camorra family belongs to me. All you need to do is cooperate. Once it's done, I'll not only let you go, I'll give you enough money to keep your company afloat."
Gavin didn't dare refuse. He nodded frantically. "I'll cooperate, I'll do whatever you say! Just tell me what to do!"
Aron narrowed his eyes, thinking for a moment. "The east wing's security isn't that tight. Jareth is busy dealing with the police and media right now. He only left four bodyguards on watch. Tonight at midnight, have that confidant of yours create a disturbance near the east wing to draw the guards' attention. My people will sneak in and get Serafina out. Remember, just get her out. Don't fight the guards. If you make too much noise, none of us will escape."
He paused, then warned, "If you try anything clever, or if Serafina gets away, I'll tell Jareth all about your little conspiracy. You'll both end up in unmarked graves."
Gavin agreed to everything.
Talia POV
I stared at the surveillance reports on the desk, my fingertips tapping rhythmically against the surface. Something felt off.
Ever since Aron's setback at the port, he should have been desperate. But for the past two days, he'd been suspiciously quiet. No more troublemaking, no media stunts. The silence was unnatural.
"Vincent!" I looked up. "Still nothing from the Casa family?"
Vincent had just come in from outside. "Nothing. Aron's holed up in his lair, just yelling at his subordinates. As for Gavin, he's being watched even more closely now. Can't leave without an escort."
I frowned and leaned back in my chair. This calm surface had to be hiding something.
Aron was a cunning old fox who never took losses lying down. If he wasn't retaliating, he was either planning something big or had his sights set on a new target.
"Vincent, have someone monitor Wyatt and Serafina, but don't alert them. Also, add two more layers of security to the east wing and set up hidden posts. Keep a close watch tonight."
Whether something happened or not, it was better to be prepared.
Vincent nodded and left.
In the villa's living room, I sat on the sofa with a cup of warm water.
 Jareth had just finished briefing Rico on the four elders. He loosened his tie and came to sit beside me.
Seeing the heavy expression on his face, I walked over and placed both hands on his temples, massaging gently.
Jareth let out a relieved breath.
I hesitated, then spoke. "About Serafina... are you planning to keep her locked in the east wing indefinitely?"
Jareth's movements paused. After a few seconds of silence, he said, "What else? Kill her?"
I quickly explained, "That's not what I meant. I just think keeping her locked up forever isn't a solution. Now that we've rooted out the four elders and dealt Gavin and Aron a blow, are you... thinking of giving her a chance?"
He looked at me. "You're quite kindhearted."
I shook my head. "I heard that when she was little, she really depended on you. You cared for her a lot back then, otherwise you wouldn't have entrusted her with so much."
Jareth seemed to recall something before saying quietly, "She was only five when she first came to the family. Timid, afraid to even speak. I did care for her then, raised her like my own daughter. Who knew that as she grew up, she'd become so scheming and get fooled by that useless Gavin."
"So you still want to give her a chance, don't you?"
"Are you testing me, or do you want me to kill her?" Jareth's voice was emotionless, but it sent a chill down my spine.
"No, Don Jareth, that's not what I meant..."
I was about to say more when urgent footsteps sounded from outside. The living room door burst open and the maid Nora rushed in, breathless. "Don Jareth, Miss Talia, something terrible has happened."
Jareth's expression darkened instantly. He sat up straight. "Calm down. Speak slowly."
Nora leaned against the doorframe, catching her breath. "It's Miss Serafina. I just went to the east wing to deliver a late-night snack. When I passed her room, I heard her packing inside. I caught phrases like 'leaving tonight' and 'backup.' I quickly went around to the window and peeked in. She was stuffing clothes into a bag and gathering jewelry she'd hidden away. It looks like she's planning to escape!"