Chapter 318: Don’t Run Around, Wait for Me Where You Are
Wren Sutton’s heart began to race, a thin layer of cold sweat coating her palms. She didn’t dare look back.
She quickened her pace, desperate to get inside the bustling mall and shake off the inexplicable sense of panic.
Wren hurried to the mall entrance. The moment she pushed open the glass doors, a wave of warm air and the noisy chatter of the crowd washed over her.
But the feeling of being watched, of being followed, didn’t disappear. Instead, it grew even stronger.
Somewhere, in some corner, a pair of eyes was staring at her from the shadows with ill intent.
Wren searched her conscience. ’I’ve never done anything wrong, so why would someone be targeting me?’
Anxiously, she circled halfway around the shops on the first floor. Her pace alternated between fast and slow as she occasionally pretended to stop and look at products, her eyes darting around to scan her surroundings.
As far as she could see, there were only unfamiliar shoppers. There was no unusual activity, nor any sign of someone deliberately tailing her.
But the prickling sensation of being watched lingered, making her entire body tense up. Even her breathing grew shallow and quick.
Wren made a decision and headed for the mother and baby section upstairs. Her ears strained for any sound behind her, the muscles in her back pulled taut.
She distractedly picked up baby products from the shelves, grabbing whichever one caught her eye without much thought.
After paying and walking out of the shop, she felt that hidden gaze stick to her back again, impossible to shake off.
Panicked, Wren looked at the bustling crowd. Despite being surrounded by so many people, she felt as if she were trapped in a cage, utterly alone and helpless. Her hands and feet grew cold and weak.
The thought of calling the police spun wildly in her mind. Her fingers were already trembling as she opened her phone’s dialer, her fingertip hovering over the call button, but she hesitated.
’There’s been no physical harm, and I haven’t actually seen anyone following me. Will the police think I’m making a big deal out of nothing? Or that I’m just paranoid and seeing things?’
Just as Wren’s mind was reeling with anxiety, her phone suddenly vibrated in her palm. The jolt startled her, and she almost dropped it.
She looked down and saw it was Adrian Lancaster’s number. His name was like a ray of light, instantly chasing away the shadows in her heart.
Wren immediately answered the call, pressing the phone tightly to her ear. Her voice trembled uncontrollably. "Hello..."
Adrian Lancaster had been about to ask if Owen and Nina were behaving at their grandmother’s house and when they’d be back.
But before the words could leave his mouth, he keenly sensed that something was wrong with Wren’s voice. It sounded like she was about to cry.
Adrian tensed up instantly. "Honey, what’s wrong?" he asked urgently. "Your voice sounds off. Are you hurt?"
Wren said bluntly, "I think someone’s following me. I can’t shake them, but I can’t see who it is."
Adrian’s heart leaped into his throat, and his expression turned cold.
’Some bastard with a death wish dares to follow my wife? They’re asking to die.’
"Don’t be afraid. Tell me, where are you right now?"
"The mall."
"Which mall? I’m on my way."
"Starlight Plaza, near my family’s house. I came to buy some baby supplies."
Adrian knew the place. It was close to the Sutton family’s house, just a ten-minute walk away.
"Honey, listen to me. Find a crowded, conspicuous spot in the mother and baby section and stay put. Don’t go anywhere secluded, especially not the restrooms."
"Don’t hang up. I’m driving over right now. I’ll be there soon. Don’t wander off. Wait for me right where you are."
"Okay, I’ll wait for you." Wren nodded, clutching her phone and keeping the line open.
Adrian’s words were a balm to her nerves, calming her frantic heart.
She could clearly hear his frantic footsteps, the slam of a car door, the roar of an engine, and his reassuring voice, which constantly updated her on his location—which intersection he was passing, how far away he was—giving her a sense of security.
Knowing Adrian was getting closer, Wren turned to look toward the escalators, hoping to see him appear at any moment.
A few minutes later, that familiar figure finally appeared.
Wren immediately shot to her feet and waved, her eyes shining with a light she herself didn’t recognize.
"I’m over here."
Adrian Lancaster wore a black mask that covered most of his face, revealing a pair of bloodshot eyes. His usual composure and coldness were gone, replaced only by anxiety and urgency.
Tall and distinguished, he locked onto Wren in the crowd instantly. Heedless of the stares from other shoppers, he broke into a run, covering the distance between them with long strides.
In an instant, Adrian was in front of Wren. Without a shred of hesitation, he pulled her into his arms, his broad chest shielding her from every prying eye and potential danger.
"I’m sorry, honey. I’m sorry I’m late. You’ve been terrified for so long."
Adrian’s voice, muffled by his mask, was deep and hoarse, laced with an unconcealable tremor. He rested his chin on the crown of Wren’s head and gasped for breath, filled with the overwhelming relief of finding her safe.
Leaning against his warm embrace, Wren’s tense body finally relaxed. Her eyes stung and grew red, but she fought back the tears.
All the panic and fear gradually dissipated in this moment.
She pressed her cheek against Adrian’s chest, her voice trembling slightly with gratitude. "I’m just glad you’re here."
A pang of protectiveness shot through Adrian’s heart. He held her even tighter, freeing one hand to gently pat her back as he soothed her in a low voice.
"You’re safe now. Relax. You don’t have to be afraid."
"I’m here. No one will dare follow you, and no one will dare harm you."
As he said this, his eyes, which had been pools of gentleness, suddenly turned sharp and glacial—like ice-tempered blades radiating a menacing chill.
He tilted his head, his hawk-like gaze sweeping over the top of Wren’s head to scan every corner of the mother and baby section.
The gaps between shelves, the corner by the escalators, the seats in the rest area—he scrutinized every place a person could possibly hide.
A sharp, intimidating aura radiated from him. Sensing the oppressive atmosphere, nearby shoppers gave them a wide berth.
He completed his thorough scan without spotting anyone suspicious, but the chilling glint in Adrian’s eyes didn’t fade.
’This isn’t over. Someone dared to target my wife. I don’t care who they are or where they’re hiding. I’ll use every resource at my disposal to hunt them down and make them pay.’
"From today on, I’m assigning some skilled bodyguards to you. Wherever you go, you must have them with you. It’s not to watch you, it’s to protect you."
Wren didn’t object, readily accepting Adrian’s offer.
"Thank you."
’Having bodyguards around would definitely deter anyone with bad intentions.’
Adrian gently stroked her hair, his tone fond. "Silly girl, you don’t need to thank me. You’re Mrs. Lancaster."
"The Lancaster family’s bodyguards, drivers, and staff are all at your command. It’s your right."
"And that includes me, of course. For the rest of my life, I’m at your command."
A tremor went through Wren’s heart as a searing warmth surged from its depths and spread through her entire body.
She took a deep breath. The stinging in her eyes faded, and her emotions returned to a calm and steady state.
Seeing that Wren had fully recovered, Adrian loosened his embrace. He took her hand, enveloping it in his large, warm palm.
With his other hand, he effortlessly picked up her shopping bags.
He looked down at her, his expression softening. "Honey, let’s go home."
The two of them walked out of the mall side by side, holding hands.
In a remote corner of the fire escape on the top floor of the mall, a pair of eyes hidden in the shadows stared intently at their receding backs.
A chilling light, filled with intense resentment, swirled in that person’s eyes, lingering like a venomous snake long after they were gone.