Chapter 373 Betrayal
3:00 PM, five miles from Riverfront World, along Riverside Drive.
A white BMW sped down the road, weaving in and out of lanes, overtaking cars with an urgency that was palpable.
In the passenger seat sat a young woman in a fitted skirt and black stockings. She clutched a gun tightly in one hand, glancing nervously at the cars behind them.
Seeing no immediate threat, she turned to Olivia, who was squinting at the road ahead.
"Ms. Lee, why'd you have to run?" she asked, frustration clear in her voice. "If they find out, we're in deep trouble."
"Sure, things are rough, but we had food, drinks, and a yard to move around in. Why risk everything to escape?"
"And the family's looking into Mrs. Lee's pills, and you're a prime suspect. Running away like this isn't helping your case."
"If I'd known you were planning to escape, I wouldn't have gone along with this madness."
"Ms. Lee, let's go back before they notice. Otherwise, we're in for a world of pain."
The young woman, Phoebe, kept urging Olivia to reconsider, her tone filled with a mix of concern and blame, as if this whole ordeal was Olivia's fault.
Phoebe was someone Olivia had invested a lot in, sending her abroad for training. She had once fought Montgomery to protect James, only to be severely injured and later returned to Olivia's side as a protector. Yet Phoebe showed no respect at this moment.
Briar, Olivia's servant sitting beside her, frowned slightly, wanting to speak up but fearing it would only worsen the situation.
"Phoebe, shut up!" Kevin, the driver, snapped, his face darkening. "What kind of attitude is that?"
"How dare you talk to Ms. Lee like that?"
"She has her reasons. Our job is to follow orders, not question them."
"Remember how much Ms. Lee has done for you over the years? The resources she's given you to build yourself up?"
"You can't just enjoy the good times and bail when things get tough!"
Kevin's words were sharp and to the point, chastising Phoebe for her change in attitude since Olivia's house arrest.
Phoebe had been complaining about returning to Glowing Oasis, often claiming the situation had nothing to do with her.
"I'm just thinking of Ms. Lee's best interests," Phoebe retorted, her face hardening. "Mrs. Lee was caught red-handed with the poison pills that killed two Lee family members. Mr. Lee and Alfonso Carr found her with the evidence. Olivia's branch of the family is now despised."
"Everyone in the Lee family believes Mrs. Lee, an outsider, tried to seize power while Mr. Lee was gravely ill."
"In this situation, Olivia escaping only makes things worse."
"Am I wrong to suggest she go back?"
Phoebe's disdain was evident. "Kevin, your blind loyalty will only harm Ms. Lee."
Kevin scoffed, pressing the gas pedal harder. "If you have ulterior motives, just say so. No need for all the grandstanding."
"We're not naive. Whether we escape or not, the blame for the poisoning will still fall on Mrs. Lee and Ms. Lee."
"Mr. Lee and the others won't let Mrs. Lee take the spotlight, nor will they allow Ms. Lee to share in the family's wealth."
"If she doesn't escape now, she'll never get another chance."
Kevin didn't know Olivia's exact plan, but he knew this was their only shot.
The investigation into the pills was wrapping up, and rumors were swirling that Olivia's mother would be imprisoned for life. If her mother fell, Olivia would be next.
Phoebe's face flushed with anger. "If there's no chance of turning things around, why cause more trouble? It's self-destructive."
Briar couldn't hold back any longer. "Phoebe, Ms. Lee is still your boss. Show some respect."
Phoebe didn't hesitate, slapping Briar across the face. "Shut up. A servant has no place to speak here."
Briar clutched her cheek, looking hurt.
Kevin's face darkened. "Phoebe, that was too much."
Olivia opened her eyes, her voice firm. "Briar may be a servant, but she's also our friend. How dare you hit her?"
Phoebe raised her chin defiantly. "That's just how I am. I can't stand small fry acting out."
"She's just a servant. How does that compare to my relationship with you?"
"If she dares to speak out of turn, I'll teach her a lesson."
Phoebe looked down on Briar with disdain. "Remember, don't try to boss me around, or I'll make sure you regret it."
She no longer saw Olivia as a threat, believing Olivia's safety depended on her.
Olivia's face hardened, ready to lash out, but Briar held her back, shaking her head. "Ms. Lee, it's my fault. I'm sorry. Let's just move on."
In these troubled times, Briar wanted Olivia to have as much support as possible, even if it meant swallowing her pride. After all, Phoebe was skilled.
Olivia suppressed her anger, coughing slightly. "It's my fault. I've dragged you all into this."
"But please, trust me one more time. We can get through this crisis."
Thinking of a certain figure, Olivia's eyes filled with determination. "We'll return to the Lee family, one way or another."
Kevin and Briar nodded in unison, showing their faith in Olivia.
"Get through this crisis?" Phoebe scoffed. "We don't even know if we'll survive today."
If Olivia had a chance to turn things around, Phoebe wouldn't mind following her. But with Olivia's mother imprisoned and her grandfather gravely ill, what hope was there?
Phoebe had been looking for a way to align with someone else, but now she was caught up in this escape.
How could she not be angry?
Just then, Phoebe heard the roar of engines behind them. She turned to see six Cadillacs closing in, with each carrying at least five fighters.
Phoebe's face darkened. "We're done for. They're here, and Elijah is with them."
Kevin and Briar's faces also changed at the news.
Savannah, an outsider, had died at James' hands. Though James claimed she was a traitor working with Austin, the investigation had gone nowhere.
Savannah's brother, Elijah Garcia, was still favored by Austin.
Now, Elijah was in charge of monitoring Olivia.
Elijah had been looking for an excuse to get back at Olivia. If he caught her now, he'd settle all scores.
"Kevin, speed up," Olivia said calmly. "Get to Riverfront World as fast as you can."
There lay her hope, her sanctuary.
Olivia grabbed Kevin's phone and sent a text.
"Still trying to run? You're only making things worse," Phoebe snapped. "Olivia, are you trying to get us all killed?"
She turned to Kevin, her gaze fierce. "Kevin, you better stop the car. Don't follow Olivia's madness."
"Do you want us all to die with her?"
Kevin ignored Phoebe's outburst, flooring the gas pedal towards Riverfront World.
Suddenly, Phoebe raised her left hand, pressing a gun to Kevin's head. "Stop the car, now!"
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