Chapter 854: A Smooth Escape
Inside the car was a man with sharp eyebrows and piercing eyes, exuding a commanding presence with a hint of menace. It was Harry, the police officer who had rescued Audrey from a rogue taxi driver when she first arrived in Starhaven. He had even personally driven her back to her apartment, earning her deep gratitude. She never expected to run into him in Aetheria.
"Audrey, I'm here in Aetheria on some business and was just about to head back to Starhaven. What about you?" Harry was delighted to see Audrey. She had been on his mind, but his busy work schedule had kept him from reaching out. Seeing her now, looking as charming as ever, filled him with excitement. It seemed they were truly fated to meet.
"That's great! I want to go back to Starhaven too," Audrey said joyfully, quickly getting into the passenger seat. She turned to Harry and said, "Can you give me a ride back? I'll pay for the gas, whatever it costs." Knowing Harry was a police officer made her feel much safer.
"Sure, no need to talk about money," Harry smiled, telling Audrey to buckle up. He was about to start the car when a shadow fell across the hood. Peter stood there, grinning maliciously. "Hey buddy, you got some guts, trying to take my woman. Do you even know who I am?"
"Oh, I don't. Please enlighten me," Harry's eyes narrowed, sensing that Peter was trouble. But as a police officer who had dealt with many dangerous criminals, he wasn't intimidated by a mere thug. One hand remained on the steering wheel, while the other discreetly reached for his gun.
"I'm Peter. Ask around, nobody in Aetheria dares to take a woman I have my eyes on," Peter said, slapping the hood of Harry's car and sneering. "If you want to die, just say so."
"Wow, you're quite something," Harry's brow furrowed. It seemed Peter was a big shot in the underworld. If they were in Starhaven, Harry would have no problem putting him in his place. But here in Aetheria, he had a secret mission and didn't want to cause a scene. He pulled out his police badge and flashed it at Peter, saying, "See this? Now get lost. I don't have time for your nonsense."
Peter's face changed when he saw the badge. He hadn't expected Harry to be a cop. Realizing he might have picked the wrong fight, he still relied on his connections and wasn't easily scared. Seeing Audrey's frightened face only fueled his desire. "So you're just a cop. Do you believe I can get you fired with one phone call?"
Harry, now truly angry, laughed and pulled out his gun. "Fine, I'm on duty right now. I'll count to three. If you're not out of my way by then, I'll consider you obstructing justice. Don't blame me if a bullet finds you."
"You think you can scare me?" Peter's heart skipped a beat. He knew regular cops didn't carry guns unless on special assignments. Harry's confident handling of the weapon suggested he was no ordinary officer. Still, Peter was unwilling to back down. "I don't believe you'll shoot. This is a city area—you'll get punished."
"It'll be worth it to take out scum like you," Harry said, calmly aiming the gun at Peter's forehead. "Oh, and I got a reprimand last month. Three, two..."
Seeing the dark barrel of the gun, Peter shivered. He had a gut feeling Harry would shoot. Before Harry could count to three, Peter quickly stepped aside, sneering, "Fine, you win this time. But you better watch out."
"Gladly," Harry said, putting the gun away and stepping on the gas. The Audi smoothly pulled away, leaving Peter behind.
Audrey clutched the seat, pale with fear. She had never imagined Peter would be bold enough to block a police car, nor that Harry would draw his gun. She shuddered to think what might have happened if Peter hadn't moved. Everything had happened so fast, it felt like a dream. She was immensely grateful to have run into Harry, who had saved her from Peter's clutches.
Harry drove through an intersection, checking the rearview mirror to ensure the Prado wasn't following. He sighed in relief, glad Peter hadn't pursued them.
Harry had come to Aetheria because the local police had found a new type of drug in entertainment venues, similar to the drugs found in Starhaven. They suspected a criminal network was expanding its supply routes, so Harry was there to assist with the investigation. The criminals were cunning, and so far, only small-time dealers had been caught. The main players remained elusive, requiring further surveillance.
Given the circumstances, Harry didn't want to stir up trouble with the local gangs, fearing it might alert the criminals.
Seeing Audrey still shaken, Harry smiled and turned on the radio, playing some soothing music. "Audrey, that was quite a scare, huh? Don't worry, guys like him are all talk. If he were really dangerous, he wouldn't waste time talking."
Audrey noted Harry's calm demeanor, a trait born from facing life-and-death situations. She admired his composure and said, "Officer, being a cop is really tough. You deal with criminals every day."
"It's our duty as public servants to shoulder this responsibility," Harry replied with a smile. "Just like teachers are responsible for their students. We all have our roles to play to keep society safe and peaceful."
"It's not the same," Audrey sighed. "Teaching is just tiring, but you risk your lives. In peacetime, you're the most admirable people, guarding the safety of society."
"Coming from a teacher, that warms my heart," Harry said, grinning. "If Audrey praises me, I'd even be willing to sacrifice myself on the front lines."
"Don't say that," Audrey's face changed, and she quickly covered Harry's mouth with her hand. "You shouldn't say things like that."
Feeling Audrey's soft hand on his lips, Harry felt a strange sensation. Seeing her serious expression, he was touched and said, "Alright, I won't say it again."
"That's better," Audrey smiled and withdrew her hand, realizing her gesture had been a bit forward. Her face reddened, and her ample chest rose and fell with her breathing, creating a subtle, intimate atmosphere that made Harry's heart race. He drove faster.
Soon, Harry drove Audrey back to her apartment. Watching her tall, sexy figure wave goodbye, he felt a pang of loss, wondering when he'd see this captivating woman again.
As Audrey entered her apartment, Harry recalled the thug he had confronted. Given Peter's boldness, he likely had deep connections and might be involved in the drug trade. Harry decided to investigate further. He called a colleague and said, "I need a background check on a man named Peter. Male, around thirty, about 5'7", bald, drives a white Toyota Prado. Get all the details and send them to me."
Returning to her room, Audrey found her husband absent. She called him, and after a while, Lucas answered, saying he had been called to the office by his boss and would be home late. He quickly hung up.
Audrey sighed, realizing she'd be spending another night alone. Even though Lucas had promised to return home in a year, she still faced a year of loneliness. She changed into her nightgown and was tidying up when she heard a knock on the door. Without thinking, she said, "Come in."
Terrence entered, holding half a watermelon. He was about to speak when he saw Audrey bent over, her round, firm buttocks swaying as she tidied up. Her thin, black nightgown revealed the contours of her body, causing his blood to boil and his lower body to react.
Seeing it was Terrence, Audrey quickly stood up, a blush spreading across her fair face. "Terrence, what brings you here?"
Terrence grinned, "Elder Sister-in-law, you're back. I bought a watermelon but can't finish it. Thought you might like some."
"Thank you," Audrey said, taking the watermelon and setting it aside. Terrence sat down, his eyes lingering on Audrey's shapely legs under her nightgown. He swallowed hard and said, "Elder Sister-in-law, did you and Lucas have a fight?"
"How did you know?" Audrey asked, frowning. "Did Lucas tell you?"
"Didn't need him to. Anyone can see it," Terrence said, his gaze drifting to Audrey's chest, where her full breasts were visible through the neckline of her nightgown.
Thinking about her stubborn husband, Audrey felt troubled. Even though Lucas had promised to return home in a year, she worried he might change his mind or that this was just a stalling tactic. What would she do if Lucas decided to stay in Starhaven indefinitely?
"Elder Sister-in-law, I'm not trying to stir things up, but Lucas really isn't being fair to you," Terrence said, observing Audrey's reaction. "You came all the way to Starhaven to see him, being a perfect wife. Everyone envies Lucas for having such a wonderful wife. If it were me, I'd never argue with you. I'd cherish you."
"That's enough," Audrey said, her face hardening. "Terrence, I'm tired and want to rest. Please leave. And take the watermelon with you. I don't have an appetite."
"Elder Sister-in-law, I brought it just for you," Terrence said, flustered by Audrey's sudden coldness. But Audrey didn't argue, shoving the watermelon into his arms and pushing him out, slamming the door behind him. Her chest heaved with anger.
She wasn't upset because Terrence was trying to stir things up but because he had hit a nerve. She had traveled so far to see her husband, only to be repeatedly disappointed.
Leaning against the door, Audrey thought about all the troubles she had faced since coming to Starhaven. Suddenly, she couldn't help but think of Kevin back home. She felt an urge to call him and share her troubles.
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