CHAPTER 343
Arianna knew the path she was about to take was fraught with danger, but as Renee’s tears flowed and her broken pleas echoed in the room, she was transported back to her own darkest days.
The despair of being utterly alone, with no one willing to reach out a hand, was something Arianna knew too well. That memory surged through her, stirring an unshakable resolve within her. She couldn’t turn her back on Renee. Not when she needed someone most.
Steeling herself, Arianna moved swiftly to the corner of the room and retrieved a wheelchair. Her hands trembled slightly, not out of fear but from the sheer weight of the responsibility she was taking on. She crouched by Renee’s side, her voice soft yet firm.
“I’m going to get you out of here. Hold on to me.”
She carefully unfastened the straps holding Renee down, her fingers working quickly despite the knots tightening in her stomach.
Helping Renee’s frail, unsteady body into the wheelchair, she adjusted her to sit comfortably, murmuring reassurances all the while. With a deep breath, Arianna gripped the handles and began pushing Renee toward the door.
Just as they crossed the threshold, the sound of a door creaking open made her blood run cold.
The bodyguard emerged from the bathroom, leaning heavily against the wall, his face pale and drenched with sweat. Despite his weakened state, his voice rose in alarm.
“Who are you? Stop right there!”
Arianna’s heart thundered in her chest. She hadn’t anticipated him pushing through his discomfort.
A flash of panic crossed her face, but it vanished as quickly as it appeared, replaced by steely determination.
Stopping the wheelchair abruptly, she turned to face him, her expression unreadable.
The bodyguard staggered closer, his movements sluggish yet persistent.
“I said—”
He didn’t get to finish. Arianna closed the distance in two swift strides.
Her movements were deliberate and precise, driven by both adrenaline and the training she had never thought she’d need to use again.
As he struggled to react, she delivered a sharp kick to his knee, forcing him to collapse onto the ground with a grunt of pain.
Before he could regain his balance, Arianna struck the back of his neck with the edge of her hand, aiming for a pressure point she knew would render him unconscious.
The bodyguard groaned, his body swaying for a moment before he crumpled to the floor.
Arianna stood over him, her chest heaving as she steadied her breath. Glancing back at Renee, who watched silently, a flicker of hope in her otherwise lifeless eyes, Arianna gritted her teeth and whispered,
“We don’t have much time. Let’s go.”
She gripped the wheelchair tightly, her resolve hardening. There was no turning back now.
Arianna knew she couldn’t afford to waste another second. Every moment spent lingering increased the risk of the nurse returning and discovering the missing cutlery—and Renee. Time was no longer a luxury but an unforgiving adversary.
She swiftly pushed Renee’s wheelchair out of the room, ensuring the door was securely closed behind them. Without missing a beat, she hurried back to her ward, grabbed her backpack, and slipped a Bluetooth earpiece into her ear.
Withpractisedd urgency, Arianna dialled Ronald, Xander’s trusted assistant, who was stationed nearby. Xander had anticipated potential danger and insisted Ronald remained on standby, a precautionary measure Arianna now silently praised.
Ronald answered almost immediately, his voice steady but curious. “What do you need, Mrs. King?”
Arianna’s tone was sharp and direct. “I’m breaking Renee out. Get the car and meet me at the back entrance. Now.”
The previous night, Arianna and Xander had scouted the facility in preparation for emergencies.
While exploring the area, they found a concealed back entrance designated solely for staff. She recalled the route and created a straightforward map for Ronald, ensuring he would know precisely how to reach it.
Ronald responded without hesitation, his professionalism shining through.
“Understood. I’m on my way.”
As the call ended, Arianna tightened her grip on the wheelchair and began moving swiftly through the hallways. Her heart pounded in her chest, but her determination was unshakable. This was her chance to help Renee—and she wasn’t going to let anything stand in her way.
Arianna pulled a hat and mask from her backpack, handing them to Renee.
"I need to make sure no one sees your face," she said firmly.
The nurses, doctors, and security staff were all familiar with Renee’s appearance. If anyone recognized her, their escape would end abruptly.
Renee nodded, her hands trembling slightly, but she cooperated, slipping on the disguise without hesitation.
The timing was in their favour; most of the staff were on their lunch break, and the hallways of the medical facility were quiet. Arianna navigated the corridors with quick precision, carefully avoiding any unnecessary attention.
She passed a pair of nurses, but her janitor’s uniform and Renee’s covered face worked perfectly. The nurses didn’t so much as glance at them, absorbed in their conversation.
When Arianna reached the back entrance, a wave of relief swept over her as she spotted the car parked and ready. Ronald was already waiting, his expression tense but focused.
Without missing a beat, he stepped out, opened the rear door, and helped Renee into the car with practised efficiency.
Just as the door clicked shut, the sharp wail of an alarm pierced the air, echoing from within the building.
Renee’s eyes widened in panic, her breathing quickening.
“They know… They know I’m gone,” she stammered, her voice cracking with fear. “They’re coming for us… They’ll catch us.”
Arianna glanced at Ronald, their eyes meeting in silent understanding.
“Not if we get out of here first,” she said decisively, her voice steady and calm despite the pressure.
They had no time to waste.
"Drive," she commanded, her voice steady but urgent.
"Get us out of here now."
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