Chapter 176

Lauren bounced in the back seat, nearly sick from the rough ride. "Tracia, what are you doing? We need to go back and help!" she exclaimed.

"Going back would be suicide," Tracia replied grimly, her foot hard on the gas. "As for those useless people, their deaths mean nothing—they're worthless anyway!"

"Tracia, do you even hear yourself?" Lauren shouted angrily. "As your employer, I order you to take me back immediately. For this insubordination, I'll request your contract termination with the family upon our return!"

Tracia let out a cold laugh, her scarred face more sinister than ever. "You're just a little girl. Who do you think you are, ordering me around?"

Lauren's expression changed as realization dawned. "What are you planning?"

"What am I planning? Why, delivering you to my new employer, of course!" Tracia cackled. "I'm sorry, Ms. Rhodes, but while your family pays well, those who want you dead pay better. Don't take it personally!"

Rage and panic overwhelmed Lauren's heart. "Tracia, was it Michael? Was that animal the one who ordered you to do this?"

"Be patient—you'll find out soon enough!" Tracia smirked.

Lauren frantically tried to open the door, but it was locked. Her hand moved toward her purse, to her gun.

Suddenly, the car screeched to a halt, nearly throwing her forward. "Miss, I suggest you stop struggling. That toy in your purse won't work on me."

Tracia snatched the gun from Lauren's hand and dragged her from the car. She paled, realizing they were surrounded by dense forest, utterly alone.

"Tracia, I've always treated you well. Why would you betray me like this?" Lauren asked, a newfound clarity in her voice.

Tracia's scarred face twitched as she scoffed. "In our world, money talks. You and the Rhodes family treated me well, but once I hand you over, I can retire and never work again."

Lauren spat. "I thought people in your profession valued loyalty above all else. How can your conscience allow this?"

Tracia laughed mockingly. "You're usually such a smart, capable woman. I'm surprised you'd ask such a naive question. Loyalty doesn't pay the bills. Only cold, hard cash matters!"

"If you show no honor, expect no mercy," Lauren replied coldly. "The Rhodes family's fighters will surely catch up with us, and you'll face them alone."

"Those worthless guards? I'll kill them one by one if they dare show up," Tracia said disdainfully.

Lauren's heart sank. She knew Tracia could easily overpower anyone from the family's security team. There was no way to alert the main compound for more skilled reinforcements.

Suddenly, Andrew's image flashed through her mind. 'Dr. Lloyd, when Ms. Stevens was in trouble, you stormed East Side alone, risking everything to save her,' she thought bitterly. 'But what about me? You're probably living happily with her now, having forgotten all about me.'

Lauren felt hopeless. She stood there, tears threatening to fall, no longer caring about her safety.