CHAPTER 3:Midnight Revelations
1173 Words
Julian led Aubrey deeper into the garden, the moon casting eerie shadows on the ground. They stopped at a weathered stone bench, Julian's eyes locked onto hers.
"Aubrey, I know you're caught in the middle of this mess," Julian said, his voice low and urgent. "But I want you to know the truth. Ethan's involved in some shady dealings, and I think he's using Blackwood Industries to cover his tracks."
Aubrey's mind reeled, trying to process the information. "What kind of dealings?"
Julian hesitated, glancing around nervously. "I'm not entirely sure, but I think it has something to do with embezzlement. And I think Catherine's involved too."
Aubrey's eyes widened, her heart racing. "What? That can't be true."
Julian's expression was grim. "I'm afraid it is. And I think Ethan's using you to get to me, to silence me."
Aubrey felt like she'd been punched in the gut. She couldn't believe what she was hearing.
Suddenly, a noise echoed through the garden, footsteps crunching on gravel. Julian's head snapped towards the sound, his eyes narrowing.
"We need to get out of here, now," Julian whispered, grabbing Aubrey's hand.
As they fled the garden, Aubrey's mind raced with questions. What secrets was Ethan hiding? And what did Julian have to do with it?
Aubrey's heart pounded as Julian led her through the winding gardens, the sound of footsteps growing louder. They reached the edge of the property, and Julian pulled her into the shadows.
"Who was that?" Aubrey whispered, her eyes scanning the darkness.
Julian's expression was grim. "I don't know, but I think we're in danger. Ethan will stop at nothing to keep his secrets safe."
Aubrey's mind reeled, trying to process the sinister plot unfolding before her. She felt like a pawn in a deadly game, with no idea what the end goal was.
Suddenly, Julian's phone buzzed, a text message flashing on the screen. His eyes widened as he read the message, his face pale.
"What is it?" Aubrey asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Julian's eyes locked onto hers, his voice trembling. "It's Scarlett. She's in trouble. Ethan's got her."
Aubrey's heart skipped a beat. Scarlett, her step-sister, was in danger. She felt a surge of adrenaline, determination coursing through her veins.
"We have to save her," Aubrey said, her voice firm.
Julian nodded, his jaw clenched. "We will. But we need to be careful. Ethan's not playing games."
As they crept back towards the mansion, Aubrey knew she was walking into the heart of darkness. But she was ready to face whatever lay ahead, determined to uncover the truth and save Scarlett.
Aubrey and Julian crept through the mansion, avoiding detection as they made their way to Scarlett's room. They found her bound and gagged, Ethan's sinister smile etched on a note left on her nightstand.
"Scarlett, I'm so sorry," Aubrey whispered, tears streaming down her face as she worked to free her step-sister.
Scarlett's eyes widened as she saw Julian, a mix of fear and gratitude on her face.
"We have to get out of here, now," Julian said, his voice low and urgent.
But as they turned to leave, they were met with Ethan's menacing gaze.
"You fools," Ethan sneered. "You think you can outsmart me?"
Aubrey stood tall, defiance burning within her. "We won't let you win, Ethan."
Ethan's smile grew wider. "We'll see about that."
With a flick of his wrist, the doors slammed shut, trapping them inside. Aubrey knew they had to act fast, or risk becoming Ethan's next victims.
"We need a plan," Julian whispered, his eyes scanning the room.
Aubrey's mind raced, desperate for a solution. And then, it hit her - a daring plan that could save them all.
"Scarlett, can you hack into the security system?" Aubrey asked, her eyes locked on her step-sister.
Scarlett nodded, determination etched on her face.
"Julian, can you create a diversion?" Aubrey asked, her heart racing.
Julian nodded, a hint of a smile on his lips.
Aubrey took a deep breath, her plan set in motion. They would fight back against Ethan's sinister plot, no matter what.
Scarlett's fingers flew across the keyboard, her eyes fixed on the screen as she worked to disable the security system. Julian stood guard, his eyes scanning the hallway for any sign of Ethan's goons.
Aubrey watched, her heart pounding, as Scarlett worked her magic. Finally, the lights flickered and the doors swung open.
"Now's our chance," Julian whispered, grabbing Aubrey's hand.
They sprinted down the hallway, Scarlett close behind. They reached the front door, and Julian flung it open, revealing a dark and stormy night.
As they ran, the sound of footsteps echoed behind them. Ethan's men were hot on their heels.
But Aubrey didn't look back. She kept her eyes fixed on the car parked at the end of the driveway, Julian's keys already in the ignition.
They reached the car, and Julian shoved Aubrey inside. Scarlett followed, her eyes wide with fear.
As Julian started the engine, Ethan emerged from the shadows, his face twisted in rage.
"You'll never escape me!" he bellowed, but Julian just floored it, speeding down the driveway as the mansion disappeared into the night.
They drove in silence, the only sound the pounding of the rain and the thrum of the engine. Finally, Julian spoke up.
"We need to get off the grid. Ethan will stop at nothing to find us."
Aubrey nodded, her mind racing. They had to expose Ethan's sinister plot, but how?
As they drove into the night, Aubrey knew their journey was far from over. They would face danger at every turn, but she was ready. She would fight to bring Ethan down, no matter the cost.
Julian drove for hours, the rain-soaked roads blurring together as they put as much distance between themselves and Ethan's mansion as possible.
Finally, he turned off the main road, onto a winding path that led deep into the woods. The trees grew closer together here, casting long, ominous shadows on the ground.
"Where are we?" Aubrey asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
"A safe house," Julian replied, his eyes fixed on the path ahead. "A place where we can lay low for a while."
The car emerged into a small clearing, and Aubrey saw a cabin nestled among the trees. Smoke drifted lazily from the chimney, and a light flickered in the window.
Scarlett stirred, her eyes opening as she took in their surroundings. "Where are we?" she repeated Aubrey's question.
Julian smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "A place I know. We'll be safe here."
As they climbed out of the car, Aubrey felt a sense of relief wash over her. They had escaped Ethan's clutches, at least for now.
But as they entered the cabin, she saw that they were not alone. A figure stood by the fire, watching them with piercing eyes.
"Who is this?" Aubrey asked, her heart pounding.
Julian smiled again. "Someone who can help us. Someone who knows Ethan's secrets."
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