Chapter 487 The Direction of Escape
Chapter 487 The Direction of Escape
Should she keep hiding in the bushes?
Nah, that won't cut it. Edmund confirmed intruders, so until the search order is lifted, those knights and attendants will tear the Ramirez Villa apart looking for her!
What now?
Ava kept running and hiding, keeping an eye out for any patrolling knights or attendants. Suddenly, she spotted a tall tower not far away – the same tower where Shawn was imprisoned. She was supposed to head there and then...
Ava's eyes sparkled.
She recalled seeing a well in the tower's basement during her last visit to the Ramirez Villa. According to Michael's map, the well led to a pond in the villa's backyard. If the patrols were pulled back to surround her, that well and underwater passage would be her ticket out!
With most forces withdrawn, the estate's corner patrols would decrease too. If she acted fast, Ava could slip out of the Ramirez Villa and rendezvous with Johnny's carriage!
With her plan set, Ava changed course and dashed towards the kitchen.
Passing by the kitchen, she heard sighs and murmurs, but Quinton was tailing her from a distance, making it hard for her to focus on the kitchen commotion. She hurried through the dim passage, took a deep breath, and leaped into the well.
As she hit the water, Ava's tense heart finally eased. She surfaced, took a deep breath, and submerged.
Meanwhile, Quinton was tracking the presence he had locked onto, but it suddenly vanished.
For Quinton, this was a shock.
His face twisted in frustration as if slapped. He gazed towards the tower where Shawn was held.
Recalling the night he took Shawn to meet Melantha, a dark look crossed Quinton's eyes. Despite the incident seeming like a drunken guard torturing Shawn, Quinton had noticed trampled grass at the tower's base, indicating recent activity.
When the masked woman mentioned roughing up Shawn, Quinton hesitated, wanting to uncover the intruder Shawn had seen.
But Shawn, acting like a scaredy-cat, just cried and refused to spill any details.
The idea of a weakling like Shawn marrying Hestia fueled a fire in Quinton's heart.
Damn it, how could someone as despicable and pathetic as Shawn end up with Hestia!
Quinton couldn't decide if his anger stemmed from Hestia or Shawn's stubborn silence. Failing to stop the masked woman in time had left Shawn gravely injured.
By the time Quinton and the masked woman sought out Edmund, Shawn still hadn't regained consciousness.
How could someone as feeble as Shawn deserve Hestia's love?
Yet, Quinton grasped that Edmund halted the masked woman not just to save Shawn but also because the plan promised to Melantha was only temporary. The ultimate goal was to maintain the status quo.
Hestia had to marry Shawn, no matter what, as part of the plan. If the masked woman harmed Shawn, Melantha, who held Brian in high regard, would seek revenge, jeopardizing their delicate alliance.
For the sake of their interests and cooperation, Edmund had to swallow his anger and choose the best solution.
But the masked woman seemed oblivious to the bigger picture, still throwing a fit.
The mysterious onlooker had vanished again near Shawn's tower. It made Quinton wonder if the previous intruder and the current one were the same person, fixated on finding Shawn.
Was there a hidden secret about Shawn driving this obsession?
With a clenched jaw, Quinton, wearing a stern expression, headed towards Shawn's tower. The guards at the tower's gate were new but recognized Quinton, the elite knight, bowing respectfully upon his arrival.
"Quinton!"
"Anyone been through here?" Quinton inquired.
The guards' reactions made it clear no strangers had passed through. Unfazed, Quinton pointed at the door, his tone icy, "Open it, I need to get in."
The guards exchanged uncertain glances, recalling how the previous guards had allowed the masked woman and Quinton entry, resulting in Shawn's injury and continued absence from the dungeon.