Chapter 1496

Austin remained silent, comprehending the situation. Lily's absence stemmed from a warning by a man named Mike Corden. Though Austin knew nothing of Mike's motives or relationship with Lily, he found solace in the knowledge that she hadn't died in vain trying to save him. He felt conflicted; he wouldn't consider her a friend, yet she'd risked her life for him. He had been…

Rhea turned, noticing Austin still on the ground. "Take him back and lock him up again!" she commanded. Austin offered no resistance, allowing them to lead him away.

Reaching home, Lily shed her equipment, breathing deeply. The tight clothing felt suffocating, the added weight of her pregnancy exacerbating the discomfort. Looking in the mirror at her swollen belly, she felt the burden of responsibility for another life, a life that limited her choices. Even if she felt no discomfort, the baby might. Gently caressing her belly, she felt a movement. Perhaps it was a mother's touch. Sighing, she murmured, "I'm sorry, I didn't want to drag you into this, but I had no choice. You understand, right?" Her belly moved again, as if in reply, a reassuring sign of the baby's health.

Relaxed now that she was home, Lily showered and changed. Reflecting on the evening's events, she found Mike's appearance unexpected. His involvement puzzled her; if he orchestrated the whole operation, he could have simply waited for her to fall into their trap instead of trying to stop her. Furthermore, his words had been ambiguous and vague, leaving Lily completely in the dark.

She sat at her desk, switching on her computer. Initially, she intended to call Dominic, but it was late. She decided to call him tomorrow. At that moment, her phone rang. An unfamiliar number flashed on the screen. Lily frowned before answering.

"Hello?"

Silence, except for faint breathing.

"Hello?" she repeated. A prank, perhaps?

"Lily!"

The rich, deep voice was familiar, comforting—like the voice in her dream! Lily's heart pounded, her breath shallow.

"Alex?!" She couldn't believe it. Yet, the voice was undeniably his, a sound she knew intimately. It's him. It must be him! But why was he calling from an unknown number? Why the distress in his voice? What was happening?

"Alex, is that you? What's wrong? Why this number? Where are you? How have you been?" Lily bombarded him with questions, leaving no room for a reply.