Chapter 25：Abnormal Confidence

Winter is well aware of the dark nature of this stealthy undertaking that Marcellus has been doing.

At times, it requires him to confront this kind of situation. Kidnapping, stalking, and assassinations - in his field of work, they are not that uncommon. That is most probably why he developed a keen sense for danger.

"Let's go, Ms. Agreste," he said for the last time before taking action.

With that, he puts his arm around her shoulder and pulls her closer to him, throwing her off guard. The two then start walking side by side in a rapid yet smooth pace. Even with the rush, they still appear like they are only taking a stroll down the mall.

'Must he hold me like this, though?'

Winter is now seeing one of the things that makes Marcellus exemplary - he can stay as calm and collected as he always is even in these kinds of circumstances.

He is the one who has sensed danger, but he still remains cool and placid. It shows through his little movements as well - he shoves one of his hands in his pocket and continues to escort her all the way out of the building like nothing big is happening. She kind of envies his composure.

"They're just right behind us now. I can't afford to let them continue following us like this. So, we'll be playing hide and seek in the meantime," Marcellus murmured in her ears, leaning down to her at the same time.

"Hide and seek...?" Winter blurted out, taken aback.

"Hey, you can't be saying-"

She actually has no idea what he means by that. Perplexed, she then only proceeds to look at him while he simply returns a smile.

Only when they took a turn and entered an alley beside the mall did the real deal begin. Action finally kicked in as their silent escape abruptly turned into an apparent chase.

"Like I thought, that organization you told me about was no small-scale one..." Marcellus muttered, taking Winter aback.

"They've got backings."

There are these men in black uniforms who suddenly make their appearance from behind and in front of them, blocking the opposite ends of that alley.

That narrow path only has one remaining route for them at this point. As their pursuers continue to close in from both directions, Marcellus tightens his grip on Winter and carries on with this self-possessed stroll of his.

"Mr. Lexington, I think we should really run now," she told him a little frantically, already feeling disconcerted at this cascading string of events.

He still does not appear fazed nor troubled, though. Rather, he looks somewhat smug. He even takes his sweet time to pat her shoulder as reassurance.

Winter can't help but think that Marcellus really possesses an abnormal level of self-confidence in the face of danger.

They only keep pacing in a bit of a rushed manner before eventually turning to a corner that leads to an extension of that alley. That is when he finally does something other than walk with a conceited poise as if he is on a fashion runway.

"Woah!"

Winter exclaimed in surprise the moment Marcellus scooped her up in his arms. With that, he started carrying her against her will. He then hastened away until he reached the end of that passage.

"Ouch!"

Then, before Winter knows it, Marcellus has practically thrown her into the passenger's seat of his car - for that entire time, the vehicle has actually been waiting there for them along with the driver.