Chapter 162 Escape from Astoria

Chapter 162 Escape from Astoria

They say when two people have been together long enough, they develop a kind of sixth sense.

Even without words, you can guess what the other person wants to say.

Tessa used to think that was ridiculous, but now she was starting to see some truth in it.

The moment Ryan opened his mouth, Tessa felt a sinking sensation in her stomach.

"Cecilia and I go way back. More importantly, she knows what kind of business the Dobbins family runs on the outside. Having me contact her is our best shot."

Tessa shook her head firmly, her refusal immediate. "I absolutely cannot accept you putting yourself in danger, and I definitely can't accept whatever consequences we'd face if this mission fails. Ryan, didn't we agree? We face everything together, no matter what."

Ryan pressed a kiss to Tessa's forehead, his eyes unfathomably deep.

"Tessa, this is our best option."

"I promise you—I'll put my own safety first. I'll do everything I can to capture Cecilia without getting myself hurt."

At this point, most of the leads they had pointed straight to Cecilia.

There was a strong possibility she'd orchestrated this entire tragedy.

Tessa knew her objections wouldn't change anything. After a moment's hesitation, she rose on her toes and brushed a feather-light kiss against the corner of Ryan's lips.

"Don't forget—you promised to keep yourself safe."

Her lover's words burned into her heart like a brand, making it ache dully.

Stella, locked in her room, managed to knock the vase from the table to the floor.

Tessa pushed open the door to find Stella lying on her side on the bed.

She'd probably kicked the vase down with her leg.

"Even if I'm guilty, it's the police who should judge me. What gives you two the right to play cop and convict me?"

Stella seemed to have recovered from her initial panic. Now, looking at Tessa and Ryan, there was even a hint of mockery in her expression.

"What you're doing—keeping me locked up here—that's technically illegal detention. I may be a criminal, but I still have rights. If I really wanted to push it, you two might end up in prison right alongside me."

Tessa's face remained expressionless. After hearing this speech, she almost laughed.

"In this situation, I wouldn't recommend advertising your ignorance of the law to others." Tessa walked over and sat beside Stella, helping her sit up. "Don't worry, we're sending you exactly where you need to go. We won't waste a single second."

"But before that, I have one question."

"Do you know when Jerry started using illegal drugs, or how he got access to them?"

Stella's eyes went wide as saucers.

She stared at Tessa in disbelief.

"How would I know Jerry was into that stuff? I only told him to frame you. I never heard anything about illegal drugs. Do those people at The Gilded Lounge know?"

Anyone in Majestic City who dared run shady businesses had sharp instincts. During their visit to The Gilded Lounge, Tessa had sensed that while the club hosted plenty of illegal operations, drugs definitely weren't among them.

After all, Astoria's drug enforcement was world-class strict.

Stella's reaction was exactly what Tessa and Ryan had expected.

It seemed Jerry had stumbled into the drug scene on his own.

Ryan had someone escort Stella to the police station.

Even as she was being led out the door, the spoiled girl kept cursing Tessa.

She cursed Tessa to never find happiness, to lose her loved ones forever just like she had.

Ryan squeezed Tessa's cool hand tighter, trying to transmit some confidence to her.

"We'll both be fine."

Who would take Stella's curses seriously anyway?

Ryan couldn't reach Cecilia by phone or text—which was perfectly normal. She'd fled the moment she sensed danger.

But Ryan wasn't ordinary either. He had Eve work her magic to contact Cecilia, wherever she was hiding.

When the call connected, Cecilia let out a soft laugh.

"Ryan, I knew you'd come looking for me. I left you a way to reach me on purpose. So, want to guess where I am right now?"

Majestic City or Harmony City? Or had she already fled to some other corner of Astoria?

The range was too broad. Ryan didn't waste time guessing—that would only make him look foolish.

"I need to see you."

"We've had so many chances to meet before. Why now, when showing up means the police will arrest me? Ryan, could you really stand to see me in prison?"

Cecilia's voice was sugar-sweet. Ryan's brow furrowed slightly the moment he heard it.

"I can help you escape Astoria, but it'll cost you a commission."

"You know I'm about to take over as head of the Dobbins family. Finding ways to make money for the family is part of my job."

Cecilia laughed with satisfaction on the other end, clapping her hands. "You're becoming more and more like my brother. No wonder my father always said you two got along so well."

"Let me think about whether this deal is worth it," Cecilia said.

After a long pause, just when Tessa and Ryan were starting to think she wouldn't commit, Cecilia suddenly laughed and agreed.

"There's a coffee shop in Majestic City's North District. I'll have someone send the exact address to your phone. Ryan, I hope to see just you two—no police tagging along, okay?"

Ryan gave his assent. Cecilia ended the call.

The tech team tried to trace the location, only to discover it was a virtual network communication line.

Cecilia was extremely cautious. She clearly wasn't backed into a corner yet—she still had tech support protecting her.

Tessa and Ryan reached that conclusion instantly.

The specific location came through quickly via a virtual number, appearing as a red dot on Ryan's phone.

It was an obscure coffee shop. Choosing this location was likely meant to throw people off her trail, to keep anyone from discovering where she was.

Tessa and Ryan headed to the location together.

When they arrived at the coffee shop, they found it completely empty. Standing behind the register was a foreign man with a cold expression, his muscles tense—clearly capable in a fight.

They pretended to act casual as they ordered. The staff member led them inside.

They didn't see Cecilia. Only a laptop sat on the table.

Ryan casually raised his hand to his ear.

"Eve, get ready to trace the location."

Eve's skills weren't just top-tier at Eden—she ranked among the world's elite hackers.

Before coming to this meeting, Ryan had already prepared a backup plan.