Chapter 486 The Hunter and the Prey

Chapter 486 The Hunter and the Prey

The masked woman sneered, "What kind of elder do you think you are? Don't think you can act all high and mighty with me. We ain't on the same level, you know. You think just 'cause your daddy helped you become head of the Ramirez family, you can look down on me? That's just plain ridiculous... Ah!"

A sharp slap echoed, followed by the masked woman's cry. Ava noticed the mask on the woman's face fell to the ground with Edmund's slap. Unfortunately, the woman had her back to Ava, so she couldn't see her face right away.

"Turn around, turn around," Ava whispered to herself. If she could see the woman's face, she could remember and sketch it, providing a stronger lead than any other clue in the Soth Empire.

Disappointingly, just as the masked woman was about to turn, Quinton appeared in Ava's view. His cold, stern expression made Ava immediately recognize him as the man from that night.

Quinton, one of the six elite knights, was someone Ava needed to be cautious of while sneaking into the Ramirez Villa at night.

Unaware of Ava's presence, Quinton focused on ensuring the masked woman's mask stayed on in the crowded place.

He picked up the fallen mask and handed it back to the woman without a hint of respect. Surprisingly, she didn't object to his rudeness; she just put the mask back on somewhat anxiously.

Observing her reaction, Ava grew curious.

If she were just an ordinary noble girl, she wouldn't be so nervous if her mask fell off. Quinton's main duty as a guard should be to protect her. However, when Edmund slapped her, Quinton didn't intervene until the mask fell off.

This suggested the woman was used to hiding her true face to maintain her noble status or identity.

The next events confirmed Ava's suspicions.

As the woman put on the mask, Quinton drew his sword. The blade gleamed coldly, sending a chilling breeze through the Ramirez Villa's hall. 

Soon, the attendants' heads in front of the woman fell to the ground like ripe fruit, creating a pool of bright red blood.

The other attendants appeared stunned, biting their lips to hold back their screams. Unfazed, Edmund addressed the masked woman coldly, "I ain't your servant. I don't owe you a thing. I'm only your father's ally, not yours. If you keep pushing me, I won't treat you like I do your father. You get me?"

"Every move I make is with your father's approval. When it comes to matters between me, Melantha, and your father, you've got no say. If you keep poking your nose in, you might as well..."

"Wait!"

Just as Ava leaned in to catch where the masked woman was headed, Quinton abruptly cut off Edmund. His sharp eyes locked onto Ava's position. "Looks like we got an unwanted little bug sneaking around."

"What?"

Ava froze, realizing her curiosity about the masked woman had given her away by disrupting her breathing. She hadn't expected Quinton to pick up on such a subtle detail.

Quinton's sharp awareness was chilling!

Cold sweat dripped down Ava's forehead. She knew she had to leave immediately, even flee the Ramirez Villa right then and there.

Now!

If Quinton caught her, the consequences would be severe!

She knew the feeling of being caught in a trap all too well. As a child playing hide-and-seek with her family, Ava would hide in the closet, surrounded by clothes and perfume to mask her breath. 

The footsteps outside and the shadows of the seeker, Skoda, would trap her in that small space, unable to move.

But this was different.

Back then, being found meant a comforting hug from Skoda, a sign that it was just a game.

This time was different.

Quinton's icy stare made Ava tremble, like prey caught in a predator's gaze, about to be captured.

Run!

Run fast!

Ava leaped over the main hall's railing, swiftly navigating the steps, hearing Edmund's order from inside, "Intruder alert! All patrol knights, step up the search!"

The clinking of armor grew louder, closing in on her. She felt like a bird cornered in a cage.

Quinton was a skilled hunter, ready to capture the intruder with no way out.

Gritting her teeth, Ava's mind raced, trying to map out a path to safety.

Back the way she came? No, patrol knights were there. If she headed that way, she'd be trapped between them and Quinton.