chapter1274

Lucinda held her breath as the scanner read her eye. The safe popped open with a soft click. Inside, she found a phone, a sleek black credit card, and a neatly folded letter. Grace had told her about these, insisting she only open them when she really needed help. She remembered Grace mentioning the card's PIN was probably her own birthday.

Curious, Lucinda picked up the card, frowning a little. Grace had worked as a housekeeper for the Norwood family for years. Sure, the salary was good, but how much could actually be on this card? Maybe a million at the absolute most.

Before she could think more about it, voices drifted in from the hallway outside. Her heart jumped. She stuffed everything into her purse, pulled on her hat and mask, and slipped out of the storage office as quietly as she could.

As soon as she got into her car, she sensed it. Someone was watching her. She glanced in the rearview mirror and spotted a car that hadn't been there before. Frustrated, she smacked the steering wheel. Great. Just what she needed. Who was following her, and what did they want? She considered her options, then decided to head back home. She'd wanted to check the card's balance at the bank, but that plan was out.

Biting her lip, Lucinda tightened her grip on the steering wheel. The black sedan in her mirror kept the same distance, never getting closer or farther away. She tried switching lanes, speeding up, slowing down, but the car stayed with her. Finally, after a few quick turns, she managed to lose them. Relief washed over her, but she realized she'd completely lost her usual route home.

She sighed and pulled up the GPS, rerouting herself. The directions took her through a part of town she didn't recognize. The buildings looked rundown, the streets almost empty except for a few scattered cars and lone pedestrians. Her nerves started to prickle. She pressed down on the gas, eager to get out of there fast.

It dawned on her that she'd probably wandered into the Capital's poorest district. Everyone said it was dangerous here, and the silence made her skin crawl. Then, out of nowhere, a motorcycle shot out from a side alley, cutting sharply in front of her car. Tires screeched. Lucinda's heart pounded. Before she could process what was happening, two men in black masks jumped off the bike and rushed at her car, yanking hard at the doors.

She screamed, fumbling for the door locks, but they were too fast, too strong. One of the doors popped open. One of the men lunged for her purse on the passenger seat. Lucinda shrieked and clung to it with both hands.

"Let go!" Her voice shook with fear, but she refused to let go. Her nails

dug into the man s arm, scratching deep enough to draw blood the didn't back off. He just got angrier.

He shoved her aside, hard. Lucinda's head slammed into the window, and

for a second, everything pen

the chaos her purse spilled

The letter tumbled out, fluttering down the gutter and disappearing into a storm drain.

Panic surged through her. She tried to reach for it, but the other man blocked her way.

"Give us the card!" one of them shouted, voice rough and threatening. He must have seen the black card when her purse fell open.

Lucinda gritted her teeth and held on

even tighter, kicking at the man

coming for her. He swore at her and

slapped her, the blow ringing in her ears and making her vision fash white.

Just when everything felt like it might fall apart, a shout rang out from the corner.

"Stop! Police!"

A tall figure sprinted toward them. The two men froze, then bolted for their motorcycle, scrambling to escape.