Chapter 9 Help Me
1179 Words
Felix ran the underworld. He was powerful and influential.
And my uncle had been a major player in Solhaven for years.
On the surface, they didn't cross paths much, but my uncle once warned me about Felix, calling him a cunning devil always looking to take over our entertainment center.
In other words, Felix was my uncle's nemesis. Now that Nahum'd taken my uncle's spot and was all gung-ho about his new role, it figured he'd see Felix as a thorn in his side.
"So, Nahum inviting Felix is just him playing nice while he's still getting his feet wet as the new boss," I murmured to myself.
After piecing everything together, I didn't dare linger. Once the maids with their trays of drinks had gone, I slipped into the bushes.
Familiar with the layout of the estate, I quickly made it to the only dog hole in the backyard. If I could just squeeze through, I'd be free from those devils for good.
"Who's there?" A voice suddenly called out just as I was nearing my escape route.
Instinctively, I turned around, only to find a guard standing on an abandoned balcony.
He raised his gun and aimed it right at my heart. He shouted at me, "Come out now, or I'll shoot!"
I cursed my carelessness inwardly.
With Nahum hosting a swanky shindig, of course, he'd have security on every corner.
I didn't fancy getting shot, but being tortured by Amanda was no better...
Hearing his threat, I froze for a second before diving into the dark hole.
"Dammit, move again and I swear I'll shoot!" the guard yelled, not bothering to hide his irritation as he started toward me.
Maybe because it was Amanda's big night, he hesitated to actually shoot. The last thing he'd want was a gunshot stirring up a commotion.
His hesitation gave me a sliver of hope.
But just as I gathered myself to burst through, I suddenly found the hole had been sealed with concrete.
"Oh no!" My heart sank. I felt trapped and lost my only hope.
In a panic, I frantically started to think of a plan B.
Many of today's guests were long-time subordinates of my uncle. They thought his death was an accident, yet they had no clue that Nahum and Amanda had orchestrated it.
If I could just make it to the party and spill Nahum's dirty secrets, they'd definitely help me.
Thinking of my uncle's loyal crew sparked a flicker of hope inside me, and I bolted toward the front yard...
Behind me, the guard shouted with his gun in hand, "Stop, I order you to stop right now!"
His shouts fell on deaf ears as I pushed myself toward the brightly lit front yard of the estate.
The will to survive propelled my weakened body, and knowing the place well, I quickly shook him off.
The whole estate was buzzing with life, and even the air was thick with opulence.
Minutes later, I finally spotted the big shots who had come for the party.
"That's Jadon Wood..." My eyes scanned the crowd until I spotted my uncle's most trusted aide. Clad in a sharp suit, he was chatting with some unfamiliar men.
At the moment, Jadon was my lifeline. Ignoring everything else, I dashed toward him and called out with a shaky voice, "Mr. Wood, Mr. Wood."
Though my voice was drowned out by the raucous laughter, Jadon seemed to sense something.
He turned slightly, his gaze finding mine.
"Mr. Wood!" I rushed up and grabbed his sleeve, my face a mask of hope. "I'm Dinah! Remember me? Please help me!"
At first, Jadon didn't recognize me, but after hearing my plea, he quickly pulled me aside.
"Dinah? What happened to you?" he asked in disbelief.
"It's Nahum—he and Amanda locked me up." I clung to his hands and pleaded with teary eyes, "Mr. Wood, please get me out of here. I don't want to die at their hands!"
Jadon frowned deeply and glanced back at the elites gathered at the party.
He said, "Dinah, calm down and tell me exactly what's going on."
Swallowing hard, I replied with a trembling voice, "Uncle William didn't die in an accident. Nahum and Amanda orchestrated his death to take his assets."
Hearing this, Jadon dropped his voice, his expression turning cautious. "Nahum's in charge now, Dinah. You can't throw around accusations like that."
"I'm not lying," I stammered, shaking my head desperately. "I swear, I'm telling the truth."
"Then come with me." Realizing the gravity of the situation, Jadon quickly pulled me toward a fountain nearby, away from the crowd and close to the exit.
He then said to me, "Wait here, Dinah. I'll have someone to get you out."
Jadon then walked off with his phone in hand. I saw him making a call with a severe expression.
I finally allowed myself a breath of relief as I saw the scene.
'I could survive,' I thought. Exhausted, I leaned against the fountain and slowly sank to the ground.
"Dinah."
After some time, Amanda's voice suddenly cut through the silence, making me scramble to my feet.
Dressed in a stunning red gown, she looked amazing now, yet she was more like a bloodthirsty demon.
Beside her was Nahum, with a cold face, their arms linked together. And behind them stood another figure, Jadon.
"Jadon... you betrayed my uncle?" It hit me then that Jadon had been working with Nahum all along.
Furious, I pointed at him and shouted, "You bastard! Why would you betray Uncle William?"
"Save your energy, Dinah." Jadon sneered, unfazed by my anger. "If you go back to the basement, you might buy yourself a few more days."
"Get back there, now." Nahum also glared at me in disgust.
"No! I won't go back to that hellhole!" I yelled, my whole body shaking as Nahum's chilling voice echoed in my ears.
I spun around and bolted toward the exit, running for my life.
"Catch her," Amanda commanded, and a swarm of maids descended on me.
I didn't dare to look back but just darted forward for the gates.
In my frantic flight, I crashed headlong into someone's chest, the impact stunning me. A light scent filled my senses and finally snapped me out of my panic. I looked up, and my heart skipped a beat.
"Felix?" I recognized that face immediately. I clung to his shirt and desperately pleaded, "Please... help me, sir. I'm begging you."
Felix's brow furrowed, clearly taken aback by my messy look.
"I'm Dinah Holt, William's niece," I pleaded, tightening my grip on his jacket. "Please, if you remember... I helped you once. Don't let them take me."
Recognition flickered across his face, and I was sure he remembered the night I'd patched him up a month ago.
Just as he seemed ready to respond, Nahum's voice drifted over, calm and mocking. "Mr. Hillary, are you sure you want to help her?"
Hearing Nahum's words, I saw the shift in Felix's expression.
I knew he was hesitating.
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