Chapter 269: I Have No Interest in Women Like You

Serena Sinclair's POV:

The next morning, we prepared to leave the hotel for the airport. My heart felt lighter knowing Laura had been rescued and was safely on her way out of England. After the tension of the past few days, I could finally breathe easier, looking forward to returning to New York and my normal life.

Phillip seemed more relaxed too, his usual commanding presence softened by the success of our mission. As we walked through the elegant hotel lobby with its polished marble floors and crystal chandeliers, I allowed myself to imagine our future together. His proposal from the night before still echoed in my mind, filling me with a mixture of excitement and nervous anticipation.

However, my momentary peace shattered the instant we stepped outside. Susan stood waiting for us at the entrance, surrounded by at least a dozen armed men who formed a tight perimeter around the hotel doors. Her elegant features were set in a cold smile that didn't reach her eyes.

"Mr. Kingston, where are you going?" she asked, tilting her head with mock innocence. "Didn't you agree with my father that you'd complete the exchange today? You're not planning to break your word, are you?"

Phillip's expression remained perfectly composed as he met her gaze, but I felt his hand tighten imperceptibly around mine. "If your father intends to hand over the girl, then bring her here for me to see first," he replied, his voice carrying that authoritative tone I'd grown to admire. "Otherwise, how can I trust you?"

I knew from our conversation in the car that Thornton had already called him—Laura had been rescued and was safely out of England. The Astors were clearly trying to salvage a losing situation by preventing our departure.

"She's at the Astor estate," Susan insisted, gesturing toward a waiting black SUV. "Once you come with us, you'll see her. Please."

As if on cue, her men stepped forward, their weapons now clearly visible as they surrounded us completely.

I glanced at Griffin and our security team, noting their tense postures. They were outnumbered at least three to one, and I could see them calculating our odds. Not good.

While Susan's attention was focused on Phillip, I noticed his subtle movements as he texted something on his phone. He was calling for backup, I realized. We just needed to buy time.

I stepped forward, drawing Susan's focus to me instead. "We'll come with you," I said, forcing confidence into my voice, "but only after we see Laura first—alive and well."

"Of course she's alive," Susan replied dismissively, her eyes scanning our luggage with suspicion. "You came to find someone, yet you're preparing to leave before finding her? That seems... peculiar."

"We've changed our minds," I said coolly, channeling the detached professional tone I used in difficult negotiations. "She didn't listen to advice before she left, and I'm tired of cleaning up her messes. We're going home."

Susan's perfectly sculpted features darkened. "Not looking for her anymore? You'll still need to come with us!"

"So you're forcing us?" I raised an eyebrow, maintaining the facade of calm despite my racing heart. "I see the rumors about the Astor family's methods in this region aren't exaggerated after all."

"Good that you understand," she hissed, her sophisticated veneer cracking. "Then don't waste time, or..."

Her men moved closer, weapons raised threateningly.

Phillip pulled me protectively behind him, facing Susan directly. "Or what?" he challenged.

Something in Susan's demeanor softened when she addressed Phillip directly. "Mr. Kingston, you agreed to collaborate with my father. I'm only here to escort you as planned."

"Are you certain you actually have Laura?" Phillip's mouth curved into a knowing smile. "I received a call yesterday claiming someone else has her. So who's telling the truth?"

"Who?" Susan demanded, suddenly agitated. "Who called you?"

"I could share that information," Phillip offered, his voice deceptively casual, "but only if you let my girlfriend leave first."

I realized with a pang what he was doing—trying to get me to safety, anticipating violence when reinforcements arrived. Even now, in this dangerous standoff, his priority was protecting me.

Susan hesitated, then pulled out her phone and made a call. I couldn't hear the entire conversation, but fragments of her father's voice carried clearly enough—angry and uncompromising. When she hung up, her expression had hardened completely.

"Mr. Kingston, this is England. My family is the law here," she said, stepping back as her men moved forward. "Your few bodyguards are no match for us. Come quietly to avoid... unnecessary casualties."

Her gaze shifted pointedly to me, eyes cold. "Bullets don't discriminate. It would be unfortunate if your girlfriend got caught in the crossfire."

"Attack!" she ordered.

At that critical moment, the sound of screeching tires filled the air as several black vehicles roared up to the hotel entrance. Thornton yelled for us to get down as the first gunshot rang out, the sound far sharper and more terrifying than anything I'd heard in movies or television.

"You had reinforcements!" Susan screamed, her face contorted with fury as she backed away.

Phillip pulled me against him, shielding my body with his as we retreated back into the hotel amid the chaos. Hotel guests scattered in panic, screaming and running for cover as more shots were fired. The elegant lobby transformed into a scene of chaos—overturned furniture, abandoned luggage, and terrified people hiding behind columns and counters.

The gunfire was deafening in the enclosed space, each shot making me flinch as we hurried through the lobby. My heart pounded so hard I could feel it in my throat, and adrenaline made every sense hyper-alert. I could smell cordite, hear the panicked breathing of people around us, see the flash of muzzles in my peripheral vision.

"Griffin, we need to use the back exit," Phillip instructed, his voice remarkably calm despite the danger.

Griffin nodded, moving ahead to guide us toward the service corridors while he and another security team member provided cover.

One of our security team handed Phillip a gun. I watched in surprise as he checked and loaded it with practiced ease—revealing a side of him I'd never witnessed before. The corporate attorney was suddenly a man comfortable with firearms, capable of operating in this dangerous world.

"We need to capture the woman!" I heard Susan shout from somewhere behind us.