Chapter 1172 Escape Route
The woman on the other end of the phone laughed again, a high-pitched, grating sound. "You think I'm that stupid? You're on the Langley family's private jet right now; everyone knows where you are! If I let Oliver go, Charles will immediately send someone to rescue you. I'd be wasting my time. I'm not that dumb!"
Hannah's teeth ground together audibly. She really, really wanted to silence this woman for good. It was the most annoying laugh she had ever heard, bar none.
"So, what do you want?" She spat through clenched teeth.
"You and Austin go to the airport parking lot, section A, spot A-109. There's a silver van waiting for you. The driver will take you to me!"
Hannah's chest heaved with anger. "Don't push it!"
Who knew what was waiting in that van or where it would take her? What if she got in and was killed on the spot?
The woman laughed again, completely unbothered by Hannah's defiance. "You can refuse, but I can also break my promise! I'm only sparing Oliver because of Austin. If you don't do as I say, I'll have someone cut off Oliver's fingers right now. Let's see how he takes his exams next month without them."
Hannah had never felt so furious. But she was powerless, completely out of options. "Fine, I agree! But once I get to the place you specified, you must release Oliver immediately, or I'll take Austin down with me! We'll all die together!"
She was gambling. Gambling on Austin's value to this woman.
Unfortunately, the person on the other end had a strong resolve. Instead of getting angry, she laughed even more freely. "Violet, you wouldn't dare! You might die, but Oliver is still in my hands. You wouldn't risk his life!"
Hannah clenched her fists tightly, trying to control her rage.
Being held by her weak spot was incredibly frustrating. She could disregard her own life, but she couldn't ignore Oliver's. A sense of helplessness enveloped her.
Who would have thought Austin had an accomplice? And one with such strong nerves, waiting until now to act.
Charles had thoroughly investigated Austin when he first suspected him, but he hadn't found a trace of this person.
Hannah compromised again. "Don't hurt Oliver. I'll do as you say."
"Good girl! If you listen to me, Oliver will suffer less." With that, the woman hung up without hesitation. Hannah roughly handed the phone back to Austin, almost throwing it to the ground in her anger.
"We're going to the parking lot, section A, spot A-109. Your accomplice's van."
Austin didn't get angry. He put the phone away and pushed Hannah towards the parking lot. The parking lot was large, with several levels, and section A was on the first floor. Following the numbers, they quickly found spot 109 and saw the silver van parked there. The van had tinted windows, making it impossible to see inside.
Austin approached first and knocked on the driver's window.
The window rolled down, revealing a driver wearing a black baseball cap and a black mask, obscuring his face.
Seeing Austin, the driver immediately recognized him and spoke in a low voice, "The door's unlocked."
Austin nodded, opened the door, and pushed the wheelchair to the back seat.
Hannah held onto the wheelchair and the door, bending down to get in.
Austin folded the wheelchair and put it in the trunk, then sat next to Hannah.
The van slowly drove out of the parking lot.
Hannah glanced at the driver through the rearview mirror, her expression unimpressed. It felt like a spy movie. Clearly, the driver was paranoid about being seen.
Hannah opened her mouth, testing the waters, "Where are we going?"
The driver didn't respond, acting as if he hadn't heard her.
Hannah almost choked on her frustration.
Seeing she wouldn't get an answer, she leaned back in her seat and closed her eyes to rest.
The van drove for a long time, only stopping for restroom breaks, to buy meals, and to refuel. They even ate in the van, afraid of being seen.
Hannah felt like her back was breaking, her lower body severely swollen.
Noticing her discomfort, Austin couldn't help but ask, "Are you okay?"
Hannah glared at him, furious. "Do you know how long I've been on planes and in cars? I flew from Country D to Sunset Bay, then rushed to the prison to get you. Then we drove to the airport, took a ten-hour flight to Country E, and now I've been stuck in this van! My leg is fractured; I shouldn't be sitting for long periods. The doctor said I should lie down! I was almost healed, but because of you, my lower body is swollen. If it weren't for you, I'd be at home, in bed, dreaming, not here eating takeout with you. All my misery is because of you."
The more she spoke, the more aggrieved she felt, and she started to cry. "Do you know how much I hate you? I've never hated anyone this much. Have you ever thought that I don't even like you? Is it worth it to ruin everything for me? Is this really what you want? Austin, your actions are despicable. I bet my parents regret adopting you! Thinking about our childhood makes me sick."
She only felt a bit better when she saw Austin's pained and hurt expression. If she couldn't do anything to him, at least she could make him suffer.
Austin felt his heart break again, his eyes red with pain. But he had no regrets.
"The van has two rows. You can lie down in the back; I'll sit in the front." He stood up, making way for her.
Hannah glared at him, then moved to the back row, lying down with her legs stretched out, finally feeling some relief.
The van drove for days and nights. Hannah had never felt so exhausted. By the end, she was completely drained, slumped against the door.
She had no phone, no TV, stuck in a cramped space, drinking bottled water, eating takeout, and facing someone she despised.
Hannah felt like she was going to lose her mind.
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