Chapter 367 The Standoff
I met Liam’s gaze and explained, “Something’s gone down at the tourist spot. Idris called me a bit ago, told me to grab you and book it out of here. Grandma and Emily are waiting at the performance area. We need to get moving and meet up with them, ASAP.”
Liam gave a quick nod. His business savvy gave him an edge, and he could tell today’s trouble was no small deal
After giving Ash a reassuring squeeze, he set him down and turned to me. “You head out with Ash first. I’ll stick around and scope out the situation. It’ll be quicker to pinpoint the problem than waiting for Iddy to send backup.”
I understood he had his own way of handling things. “Just be safe, big bro,” I told him.
He hummed a yes and reminded Ash to stick with me.
I took Ash’s hand, and we left the cable car station. I meant to head straight out, but then it hit me like a delayed lightning strike that Charlie and Inch were nowhere to be seen.
My mind had been all over the place, worried sick about Liam and Ash, and with the chaos of the tourists making a scene, I had not spared a thought for the other two.
The realization that we had gotten split up snapped me back to reality.
I fished out my phone in a rush, trying to call them, but no luck. Just then, Emily’s call came through, her voice frantic over the noise, “Yvette, are Liam and Ash okay?”
“They’re both fine. Don’t sweat it, Emily,” I assured her, my eyes catching sight of two men in black heading my way. I knew these guys as they were the b*dyguards Idris had set up for me. I had seen them around, always trailing at a safe distance, never too close.
As they came into view, I quickly asked into the phone, “Emily, are you guys still in the performance area?”
Emily gave a reassuring nod, “Yeah, Grandma and I are in a room. We’re safe here.”
I let out a relieved breath. “I’ll be right there with Ash. Don’t go wandering off, and keep your phone on, okay?”
“Got it!”
I ended the call just as two men approached me. “Ma’am, we have been instructed to escort you out,” they said.
I nodded and got straight to the point. “Did you drive in?” Tourists were not usually allowed to drive in this park, but if Idris had set it up, they must have come by car.
They confirmed with a nod and led me to where they had parked. I could not reach Charlie and Inch, and I knew I could not linger with Ash for long. I shot Charlie a quick text to let him know I was heading out and urged them to do the same.
Soon, we reached the animal performance area. The b*dyguards parked discreetly, one went to fetch Madam Young and Emily, and the other stayed to watch over me and Ash.
We sat in the car, waiting. No one came, however, and anxiety gnawed at me. A pregnant woman and Madam Young could be in real danger if the crowd got ugly.
Chapter 367 The Standoff
It was like the universe has a twisted sense of humor, giving me exactly what I was trying to avoid.
Before I could worry any further, I spotted a crowd of hundreds close to the performance area, looking like they were going after someone, with some even shouting.
The sounds from outside the car were indiscernible, but the angry shapes of their mouths said enough.
I caught a glimpse of Emily and Madam Young trapped in the middle of an angry mob, and my heart plummeted. Without a second thought, I dashed out of the car and sprinted toward the crowd.
I had not even reached them when the shouts hit my ears. “They’re the murderer’s kin, a bunch of heartless merchants who would do anything for a buck, totally indifferent to human life. We can’t let them off the hook! We need answers, and that shady businessman Mr. Young owes us an explanation!”
Someone in the crowd was shouting at the top of his lungs, his voice filled with grief and rage as if he had lost someone dear to him. Confused tourists, fueled by the fear from the incident and their disdain for the heartless wealthy, joined in the uproar, hurling insults at Emily and Madam Young, with some even tossing whatever they had in their hands at them.
The b*dyguards did their best to shield them, but they were outnumbered and overwhelmed. Emily was terrified, clutching her stomach, her face ghostly white. Madam Young might have weathered many storms in her life, but age had caught up with her, leaving her as vulnerable as any other elderly person.
