Chapter 331: Chapter 230: Tell me, are you really leaving? 5

With the changing of the guard drawing near, their pace quickened.

In this world, money makes the world go round.

Annabelle Linton had a lot of money—some of it her own, and the rest a huge sum from the Linton Group’s acquisition.

Of course, the acquisition money couldn’t be touched—that was Ryan’s. But she had her own money besides that, so she could easily hire people.

She had arranged for people to meet them at the end of a passageway in the garden villa.

All they had to do was get through this long corridor and cross the garden at the back to get out.

Annabelle Linton had already scouted the route. This area was usually deserted—a neglected path. As long as they didn’t run into the changing of the guard, they were sure to be alone.

As they were walking through the garden, just about to make their exit, they suddenly ran into a pair of servants having a tryst, lost in a passionate kiss.

The four of them stared at one another.

Annabelle Linton’s pupils contracted. ’This is bad,’ she thought. Just as she was about to figure out a way to shut them up, the maid yelled, "Someone, help! Miss Linton is trying to escape with the prisoner!"

With that, she slammed the nearby fire alarm.

Instantly, an alarm began to blare throughout the entire villa—

The color drained from Annabelle Linton’s face. She knocked the pair out with a swift chop and yelled to Aaron Wyatt, "We have to go!"

But they had barely taken two steps before servants, thinking there was a real fire, came rushing toward them with fire extinguishers.

The crowd of servants froze, clearly stunned to see Annabelle Linton and Aaron Wyatt.

But the moment they saw Aaron Wyatt, understanding dawned, and their expressions changed in unison.

The butler stepped forward, his face grim. "Miss Linton, the young master ordered us to watch this man. What do you think you’re doing?"

Though he phrased it as a question, everyone present knew exactly what was going on.

As the butler finished speaking, a servant was already on the phone to Leona Grant.

Annabelle Linton’s face was cold and devoid of expression. She said to the butler, "I know this puts you in a difficult position. Let him go. I will bear all the consequences alone."

"Annabelle!" Aaron Wyatt yanked her back. His face was a mask of fury as he growled, "We leave together or not at all! I’m not leaving you here by yourself. Are you kidding me?!"

There was no winning in this situation. A servant had just made a call, and it was obvious who was on the other end: Leona Grant.

There were no other options.

’At least if one person makes it out today, it will have been worth it, won’t it?’

’Aaron Wyatt couldn’t afford to lose any more time!’

Annabelle Linton ignored Aaron and looked directly at the butler. "You know why Leona Grant seized him. I’m his target. As long as I don’t leave, there won’t be a problem. Butler, give him a clear path, and I guarantee you won’t face any consequences."

"My apologies, Miss Linton. I am merely a servant hired by the young master. I do what the young master says. I cannot make any decisions regarding his affairs, but you may speak with him about it personally."

"And what if I insist on him leaving today?"

"Then I’m afraid I’ll have to be discourteous." The butler’s expression was unyielding. His words were polite, but they left no room for negotiation.

He then turned to the servants behind him and barked, "What are you all standing around for? Do you not want your jobs?"

Snapping to their senses, the servants surged forward to grab Aaron Wyatt.

Annabelle Linton narrowed her eyes, pulling out a dagger she had prepared and pointing it at them. "Stay back, or don’t blame me for what happens next!"

The butler sneered. "Miss Linton, you don’t actually intend to cut a bloody path out of here, do you? There are so many of us. Can you kill us all?"

"What do you all think you’re doing—"

Before Annabelle Linton had a chance to speak, a deep, cold, and sinister voice descended, making everyone flinch.

Annabelle Linton closed her eyes and took a deep breath, steeling herself.

The next second, the tall, handsome figure of Leona Grant, dressed in a black suit, appeared before them.