Chapter 171 [Brightest Star] [1]

Chapter 171 [Brightest Star] [1]

"....."

As her gaze remained fixed on the ceiling, her expression changed.

The horrified look turned to hopeful.

But that hopeful look broke into conflict and concern.

"Let's get out of here." I whispered weakly, walking towards her and grabbing her arm.

She was too shocked to even refuse me as I brought her back into the garden.

The two patrolling guards stood at the side, averting their gaze as I glared at them.

"Hmm?"

I turned around, glancing at Ashlyn as she jerked my hand away from her arm.

A conflicted look in her eyes and a slight hatred toward me.

"....."

I calmly looked at her as she took a step away from me.

Turning around, she tried to walk back inside the building.

"Where are you going?" I asked, grabbing her hand again.

She jerked my hand once again, replying in a harsh voice, "That address—."

"I know where that place is." I cut her off, "you don't need to go inside again."

She turned around, glaring at me, a pained expression on her face, tears pooling in her eyes.

"...Sigh."

I sighed heavily, rubbing my eyes as I slowly walked toward the patrolling guards.

"I am taking her back home," I informed them, "look after this place."

"But sir, she is the only witness," one of them replied, "we need her to be here."

"I am not asking if I can take her back or not." I replied calmly, looking at his face, "don't bother stopping me."

"But sir—."

"I will talk with your superior and explain it to him." I interjected, turning around, "nothing will happen to you guys."

It's already been more than an hour since the sun set, and Ashlyn's condition isn't good as well.

She was still trembling, gazing back at the orphanage as tears trickled down her cheeks.

'I need to move faster.'

I thought, glancing at the building as well.

Whoever wrote that message didn't specify the time.

From what I know, Tiffany's life is in danger, and what's worse is I don't know who is behind all this.

'Whoever that person is has something to do with me.'

I can think of some people who can do something like this, but I can't be sure right now.

"Let's go home." I whispered softly, grabbing her hand.

This time with a firmer grip so she couldn't escape.

But she didn't try anything as she quietly got dragged outside of the building.

I quickly moved toward my bike, sitting on it before signaling for her to do the same.

She sat behind me, quietly.

Starting the bike, I turned it around back to her home.

***

Ashlyn's expression turned blank again, the world around her crumbling as she looked at him in a daze.

Azariah sighed as he walked past her.

He stopped again, feeling a slight tug at the end of his clothes.

Turning around, he looked at Ashlyn shedding tears.

"I will come with you." She whispered, gasping for breath.

"No."

She tugged his sleeve harder, "she is my sister, please let me save her."

"You will just be a burden." He harshly replied, glaring at her.

"I won't be." She shook her head weakly, "I will listen to you, please."

Azariah sighed again, rubbing his temples in frustration.

"Go change into something else." He replied, looking at her baggy clothes.

She nodded, understanding him as she moved toward her room.

Azariah walked out of her house, leaning against the wall before taking out his phone. Dialing Adaliah's number.

The phone rang before she picked it up.

"What is it?" She asked impatiently.

"Ashlyn's sister got kidnapped." Azariah informed.

"So what?" Adaliah asked, her voice flat.

"They are asking for me in exchange for returning her." He replied, hoping for help.

"Do as you please." Adaliah replied without concern, "just don't die."

"Are you fucking serious?" He snapped, a furious look on his face, "Do I have any value in your eyes or not?"

"You do, that's why I said don't die." She replied, her voice serious, "and remember, if you die, everyone around you will also die. So be careful and don't hesitate to sacrifice others for your own safety because your life isn't just yours."

"....."

"Anything else you want to say?" She asked, impatiently.

After a long silence, Azariah asked softly, "Where is mother?"

"She has a meeting with someone." Adaliah replied, "are you planning to use your last wish?"

"..."

Azariah fell into deep thought. Different scenarios ran through his mind, but eventually, he shook his head.

"No."

"I see." She replied before hanging up the call.

Azariah bit his lip as he looked down. With nothing clear, he couldn't come up with any plan.

All he could do right now was prepare himself for the worst.

Click.

The door opened as Ashlyn stepped out, dressed properly for combat.

"....."

But Azariah didn't look at her, only at the portrait in her hand.

"She is my mother." Ashlyn mumbled, sensing his gaze on the portrait.

Hatred filled his mind as he looked at her portrait.

Azariah rarely made any promises, but whichever he did, he always tried to keep them.

But the one promise that he always regrets...

....Was the one he made with Ashlyn's mother.