The SUVs remained close, their engines roaring like wild animals in pursuit. The sound of gravel scattering beneath the tires mingled with the deep hum of exhaust, creating an oppressive cacophony. Addison clung to the door handle, bracing herself as the car bucked and jolted over the uneven ground. The headlights behind them grew brighter, slicing through the night like relentless beacons. Her heart hammered against her ribs, each beat echoing her growing fear. "Gordon!" she shouted, her voice cutting through the din. "Can't you push it any faster?" Gordon's jaw tightened, his focus unyielding. "This is it," he said, his voice firm. "We're maxed out." No matter how much force he applied to the accelerator, the car had reached its limit. The SUVs, built to dominate this kind of terrain, were closing the distance, their hulking frames eating up the gap. Addison scanned the dark road ahead, her mind racing. Outrunning them was impossible. "Take them in circles," she ordered suddenly. Gordon's eyes darted toward her, a flicker of disbelief crossing his face. "Are you serious?" "It's the only way!" Addison's tone was sharp, brooking no argument. "Just do it." He hesitated, gripping the wheel tightly. "There are three of them," he said, his voice edged with concern. "If even one catches on, they'll pin us down. We won't get another chance." "Then don't give them time to think," she snapped, her voice steady and resolute. "Trust me." Gordon looked at her, searching her expression. Her unwavering gaze was all he needed. With a resigned nod, he twisted the wheel sharply. The car spun into a sharp turn, the tires screaming in protest as they skidded across the dirt. Addison was thrown sideways, slamming into the seat as the vehicle whipped around.One of the SUVs didn't adjust in time. It sped forward, straight into the path of a towering tree. The impact was devastating, with the hood crumpling like paper as the trunk abruptly stopped it. Smoke poured from the engine, curling upward as small flames began to lick at the edges. The crash echoed through the forest, a brutal reminder of the stakes. Addison turned, her eyes locking on the wreckage. Relief surged through her. "That's what I'm talking about!" she exclaimed, her voice bursting with triumph. Gordon glanced at the scene in the rearview mirror. The hard lines of tension on his face softened, if only for a moment. The thrill hadn't fully sunk in when the roar of engines came crashing back. "His own teammate crashes, and he doesn't even look back? He just keeps speeding up?" Addison turned, watching the cars behind them. The sound of their engines grew louder, more frantic. Her heart pounded, her chest tight with fear. The tension felt suffocating. It was as if she couldn't breathe. "Maybe we should jump out?" Gordon said suddenly. "Are you out of your mind?" At this speed, jumping out would be suicide. But Gordon didn't seem to notice her alarm. The car slowed visibly. "Gordon, we can't jump!" Addison shouted. Gordon kept his grip on the wheel, his focus unwavering. Just like before, he let the car behind them close in before yanking the wheel sharply. The SUV behind them spun wildly, crashing into the side of the road with a deafening thud. Addison couldn't move, frozen by the sudden change in the chase. Gordon glanced in the rearview mirror, his face impassive, and then pushed the car to full speed once more. "You're incredible!" Addison gasped, relief rushing through her as only one car remained behind them. "Just one left." She looked at Gordon, her voice soft. "You've got this, right?" "Leave it to me," he replied with a calm certainty. The remaining SUV was out of control, its driver enraged after losing two vehicles. It charged ahead, throwing dirt up as it raced along the mountain road. Addison watched it weave dangerously, her lips pressed together in worry. At this speed, it felt like they might leave the ground any second. But Gordon remained unfazed. His face was a mask of calm determination. With just one car left, things were easier to manage now. "They've lost their minds." "We can use that to our advantage," Addison said, thinking quickly. Gordon felt a weight lift off him. He understood what she meant right away. He tightened his grip on the steering wheel and took a few sharp turns, pushing the SUV behind them into a panic. As expected, the car behind swerved erratically, struggling to keep control. "Now!" Addison shouted. Gordon acted fast, pulling the same move again. The SUV slammed into a tree, the crash echoing through the night. "Perfect!" Addison exhaled, her heart slowly returning to normal. The car sped ahead, leaving their pursuers far behind. Once the danger had passed, Addison pressed her hand to her chest, still shaken. "I honestly thought you were going to jump out. You scared me half to death." "I'm not that crazy."For the first time, Gordon spoke with a hint of humor. The tension in the car eased. ... They drove back to Pendomium Heights. When Addison got out of the car, she took a good look at the damage. The paint was scratched, the tires worn, and the rear end was a mess from the crashes. She sighed, staring at the ruined car. This one was beyond saving. Looks like she'd need to think about getting a new one tomorrow. Leon had been waiting for them all day. Finally, he heard the car pull up. He rushed outside and stopped dead when he saw the battered vehicle parked by the door. "Angel, what happened?" He asked, his eyes wide with concern. "Did you get into a car crash?" Leon pulled Addison into a hug, scanning her for any injuries, clearly anxious. Addison saw how worried he was and forced a smile. "No, no. I'm fine." She didn't want Leon to find out what really happened. He'd be too worried. "It's just that Gordon's driving got a little ... rough." Without missing a beat, she quickly blamed Gordon. That's not 'rough.' He can't drive, period! Leon stared daggers at Gordon. "With a bodyguard that incompetent, why hasn't he been fired yet?" Leon's arms were crossed, and his frustration was clear. Addison quickly ushered Leon inside. "It was just an accident. Gordon's actually a good driver." Once Leon was safely inside, Addison finally found a moment to sit.She let her mind wander back over the day's events. Who could have been after her? Had her cover been blown? It couldn't be. Addison bit her lip, running through the possibilities, though none felt right. She wasn't sure who to suspect. The people coming for her hadn't succeeded today, but that didn't mean they wouldn't try again. She looked out at the nearly totaled car, lost in thought. ... By the time dawn broke, Samuel staggered into the gym, a few weary men following behind. "This woman is a nightmare!" Samuel slammed his fist on the table, his face contorted with rage. One of the men, blood trickling from his mouth, winced. "Boss, what's our next move?" "What's our move?" Samuel wiped his hands, his frustration mounting. "We keep hunting her. If we fail, Mr. Troy's dead." "Print those photos. Get more men from Mr. Troy. We'll find her, no matter what!" Samuel's voice was chilling. Without hesitation, the men, still aching from the close call, rushed back to their search. Determined, Samuel didn't even bother going home. Instead, he took a few hours of rest in the gym, knowing he had to be ready for the next round. Just as he closed his eyes, the door slammed open. "Boss, we've got a lead!" Samuel's eyes flew open. "Really?" He jumped out of bed, grabbing his clothes as he made a beeline for the door.