The man holding the boxing gloves stopped when he noticed Troy. He grabbed the photo from the other man's hand and quickly scanned it. The woman in the picture was striking. He couldn't help but think, She's really something. But then he caught the conversation. Was he supposed to tie up such a beautiful woman? "Sir," Samuel said, his tone laced with mockery. "What kind of game are you playing now?" He couldn't help but comment. His employer's interests were starting to look strange ... His grin was dark and full of amusement, similar to Troy's own twisted smile. Troy didn't take kindly to the remark. He immediately punched Samuel. "Enough talking. Get moving," Troy snapped. "You can find her easily. Use your skills and get it done fast." Troy was already thinking about reporting back to the princess. Samuel accepted the punch without hesitation. His tone became more respectful. "Yes, sir. I'm going now." He quickly dressed and prepared to leave. "You're going alone?" Troy's voice stopped him, a hint of disapproval in it. "It's just a minor abduction mission," Samuel said confidently. "I don't need help." Troy ignored his self-assurance. "Take someone with you." "I don't need anyone's help to catch a woman ... " Samuel began to argue, but he knew better than to challenge Troy's judgment. He could easily take on a group of men, let alone a helpless woman. "The woman's got a special background," Troy said seriously. "It's safer if you take a few more with you." Samuel hesitated.After a moment, he turned and waved to a group behind him. "Get dressed. We're heading out." A group of muscular men began to prepare, leaving together in a solid formation. Addison's drive to the Fullers' raw material plant went smoothly. ... Gordon had just parked when Michael appeared at the entrance, waiting for them. "This is the final product," Addison said, holding out the items to him. Michael accepted the item with a small nod. "To be cautious, you should test it today or tomorrow," Addison said. "If there are any problems, let Ryan know. We'll make adjustments right away." "Understood," Michael replied. Having finished her task, Addison turned to leave, her steps purposeful. Michael hesitated, then called out, "Wait ... would you like to take a look around the plant?" She stopped and glanced over her shoulder. "What?" "Well," he explained, his voice tinged with unease, "since you'll be working with us, it might help to see the facility for yourself." Addison studied him for a moment before shrugging. "All right. Why not?" The tour took longer than expected, and by the time they finished, the sky outside was completely dark. On the drive back, Gordon followed the same route they had taken earlier. The night air crept in through the cracks, cold and sharp. Beyond the glow of the headlights, the world seemed swallowed by shadows. The silence stretched, broken only by the hum of the engine. Addison sat in the back, staring out at the darkness. The countryside was utterly still, save for the occasional chirp of crickets. It felt like they were the only living souls for miles. Gordon, as usual, didn't speak. He wasn't one for small talk, and Addison knew better than to try. Even if she asked him something, he'd likely stay quiet.The quiet, paired with the rhythm of the car, began to weigh on her. Her eyes grew heavy, and she felt herself drifting into a light sleep. The sudden lurch of the car woke her with a start. The tires screeched sharply, sending a chill down her spine. "What's happening?!" Addison exclaimed, her voice rising. Gordon kept his grip firm on the wheel, his eyes steady. "Sit tight," he said. Without hesitation, he shifted gears, dropped the handbrake, and floored the gas pedal. The car shot forward, its acceleration fierce and unrelenting. Addison was thrown against her seat. Her nose bumped against the headrest, sending a sharp sting through her face. She hissed in pain but bit back any further sound. Gordon didn't acknowledge her discomfort. If anything, the car seemed to gain even more speed as he pushed it harder. Addison's heart raced. Why was he driving like this? What was he running from? She steadied herself and turned to peer out the rear window. Her breath caught in her throat. Several SUVs trailed closely behind them, their headlights piercing the darkness like sharp blades. The way they sped along the uneven road, swerving without caution, was terrifying. It was as though the drivers had no concern for their lives—or anyone else's. One of the SUVs surged forward, aiming directly for Addison's car. Addison's grip tightened on the door handle as she fought to steady herself. Her wide eyes fixed on the approaching vehicles, disbelief etched across her face. "Who are they? Why are they after us?" She asked, her voice edged with panic. Gordon checked the rearview mirror, his jaw clenched. "They've been tailing us ever since we left the plant." "What?" Addison turned, her gaze darting to the headlights bearing down on them. The once-quiet night, filled only with the soft hum of insects, was now a cacophony of screeching tires and roaring engines. The noise echoed around them, making the danger impossible to ignore. "They're closing in!" she said, her voice rising. The SUVs were gaining ground quickly, their headlights cutting through the darkness like sharp blades. "They're going to ram us!" Gordon spared her a quick glance through the mirror. His hands gripped the wheel with unshakable focus. "Step on it!" Addison barely had time to react before the lead SUV slammed into their car. The impact sent her lurching forward, and she landed hard on the floor, her shoulder throbbing from the fall. The pursuing vehicle wasn't ordinary. Its size and power made it clear that this was planned. Whoever was driving meant to force them off the road. Addison clenched her jaw, trying to suppress the growing panic. Their car didn't stand a chance against these off-road monsters. Every jolt and swerve made the imbalance painfully clear. Gordon remained calm, his sharp eyes scanning the road ahead. He seemed to be waiting for the perfect moment. As they neared a tight curve, he eased off the accelerator, letting the pursuing cars draw dangerously close. Then, just as the SUV rammed into them again, he slammed the gas, forcing their car forward with a sudden burst of speed. His movements were precise and calculated. One hand spun the steering wheel while the other shifted gears with practiced ease. The car drifted through the turn, its tires gripping the road as clouds of dirt and gravel shot into the air. The debris sprayed across the windshield of the lead SUV, causing it to swerve as the driver struggled to regain control. The gap between them widened, giving Gordon a momentary advantage. Addison took a deep breath, trying to calm the storm raging inside her. The truth began to settle in her mind. These people weren't after Gordon. They were after her. But why? Her thoughts raced, searching for answers. She didn't have time to dwell on it. The screeching of tires behind them broke through her thoughts.The SUVs had recovered and were closing in once more. Gordon clenched his jaw, his foot pressed firmly on the gas. The engine roared as the car raced at its limit. There wasn't an ounce of speed left to gain. The SUVs behind them bore down with an almost frenzied resolve, their drivers unrelenting. They surged forward with a recklessness that felt unhinged, crashing through the darkness like men with nothing left to lose. Their pursuit carried a clear message: they didn't care if they went down, as long as they took someone with them. "They're insane," Addison muttered, her brows furrowing as she glanced at the vehicles gaining on them. "Gordon," she said, her voice cutting through the tense air. "What's the chance we can shake them off?" His grip on the steering wheel tightened, his knuckles pale. He didn't hesitate as he answered. "There's no chance." The honesty in his words struck her harder than she expected. Addison blinked, her composure faltering for a moment. Then, swallowing hard, she steadied herself. The fear in her eyes hardened into resolve as she met the chaos head-on.