Chapter 16 The Chase

• After the dinner party was over, Paxton and Ryleigh drove home. It was going to be a long journey as Primose Sky was located in the suburbs, while Paxton residence was at the far end of Karovia.
• The Maybach hurtled through the highway before coming to a sudden jolt at a red traffic light. The silence of the night was deafening. Paxton had not spoken the entire journey, and it seemed like he was feeling troubled.
• After much contemplation, Ryleigh decided to initiate the conversation. She muttered, “You have a marriage engagement with Alice.”
• Paxton gave Ryleigh a sideway glance. She hesitated when she noticed the cold glint in his eyes. However, she decided to continue probing. “I heard that she saved you before?”
• Ryleigh wondered to herself, based on what I know of her, Alice doesn’t seem like the type to offer a helping hand. How did she save Paxton? She has never learned first aid before.
• “Yeah.” Paxton gave a curt response, implying that he did not want to discuss any matters relating to Alice.
• There was pin drop silence in the car once again and the atmosphere turned a little tense. Just as Ryleigh was about to speak again, Paxton’s gaze hardened as he interrupted. “Let’s divorce as soon as possible. She’s my life savior, I owe her an explanation.”
• Paxton felt an odd sensation the moment he finished his sentence. He had a hunch that Ryleigh would propose for a divorce. Hence, he decided that, as a man, he should be the one to break the news.
• “All right,” Ryleigh replied with a blank expression. After all, she was more desperate than Paxton to have the divorce.
• Paxton turned and looked longingly at Ryleigh. Seeing that she was unaffected by his call for a divorce, his chest felt tightened. It was almost as though the air around him thinned, leaving him gasping for breath.
• Paxton took a deep breath and said curtly, “Let’s settle the paperwork tomorrow. I hope that you can continue staying at Paxton residence and take care of Grandma. Please don’t let Grandma know about the divorce yet. You can name your price.”
• Ryleigh replied, “All right. Don’t worry, I will do my best as Grandma has been kind to me. The money that I have is sufficient, there’s no need to pay me extra.” She could not help but to feel a pang of sadness when she suddenly thought of the warmth that she experienced with Noelle. After all, kinship was a distant concept to her, as she had never met her parents before. Given that Grandma Watkins had been exceptionally nice to her, Ryleigh vowed to treat the elderly lady like family. There was no one in this world she could rely on.
• Ryleigh remained silent in the car. It was as though she was submerged in deep loneliness and melancholy. One could not help but to take pity when they looked at her.
• Even though Paxton’s heart was stricken with anguish, he knew that the damage was done and he could not rescind his words. Feeling frustrated, he punched the steering wheel.
• Suddenly, Paxton’s eyes flickered and his expression turned solemn. After a few quick glance at the rearview mirror, he stepped on the accelerator hard and the car sped forward like an arrow. The impact caused Ryleigh to jerk and yank backward, pain shooting through her neck.
• Sensing that something was amiss, Ryleigh asked worriedly, “What’s happening?”
• “We are being followed,” Paxton replied in an icy tone. Ryleigh immediately glanced at the rearview mirror and side-view mirror. One, two, three, four, she counted silently.
• “There are four cars behind us,” Ryleigh muttered with furrowed brows. Looking around, she added, “This is such a deserted place, there’s no way for us to hide from them.”
• As soon as Ryleigh completed her sentence, two of the cars sped up and shot past them, blocking their path.
• Bang! The pursuers started firing at the duo. Ryleigh could have easily dodged the bullets as she was able to estimate the range and position of the gunshots. Paxton was also swift in his actions. Without any hesitation, he swirled the steering wheel with one hand and quickly pressed Ryleigh’s head against his chest with the other hand. He wanted to protect the woman from any harm.
• A dozen bullets hit the car, causing the window to smash. They managed to narrowly escape by ducking below the car window.
• Thump! Thump! Thump!
• Ryleigh could hear Paxton’s heartbeat racing in his chest, and smell the musk and spice of his flesh. Even though they were in a precarious situation, she could not help but to feel secure and warm. Ryleigh felt a warm glow at his actions as no one had ever shown her such tender concern since she was a child.
• Meanwhile, the assassins showed no mercy and fired round after round at Paxton and Ryleigh.