Second Chance: Marrying into Wealth Chapter 288

Persistence paid off.

Finally, after all our hard work, the rope frayed and snapped.

Paula's hands were free, and she quickly ripped the tape off her mouth.

"Melinda, hang in there!" Paula rushed to untie the ropes around my hands and legs.

I tore the tape off my mouth and urgently pulled Paula towards the front door. "I don't know where those two went, but we need to get out of here before they come back."

As for our phones, I had no hope of finding them. They probably took them.

Sure enough, Paula glanced around and confirmed they were gone.

Supporting each other, Paula and I made our way outside.

We still had traces of the sedative in our systems. I didn't realize how weak I was until I nearly collapsed after just a few steps.

Thankfully, Paula caught me in time, though she wasn't in great shape either.

Despite our urgency, we couldn't move very fast.

As we stumbled along, Paula couldn't help but curse, "If I make it out of this alive, I'm gonna find out who did this and make sure they pay."

"Save your energy for running," I said, sensing Paula's anger.

Paula seemed convinced that she was the target and I was just collateral damage.

I didn't care much about being collateral damage, and I couldn't be sure they were after Paula.

What if they were after me?

Either way, it was fortunate we were together. Alone, either of us would have been overwhelmed by despair.

We moved cautiously, fearing those two might be hiding somewhere, ready to pounce.

Luckily, we weren't that unlucky. We made it to the front gate without encountering them.

Once outside, we headed towards the main road.

But this place was remote, with no people or cars in sight.

"What do we do? At this rate, who knows when we'll reach the city?" I asked, looking at Paula.

Paula tried to reassure me, "We have to keep going. We can't just wait for them to find us and drag us back."

I knew she was right.

We encouraged each other and kept moving.

My hand was bleeding, and my legs were injured, making it hard to walk.

Suddenly, a bright light appeared in the distance.

Paula and I exchanged glances and instinctively moved to hide in the tall grass by the road.

We couldn't be sure if the car belonged to our captors.

"Melinda?"

A heavenly voice called out from the approaching figure.

It was Christopher.

I was so relieved I almost cried. I stood up and waved, "Christopher, we're here!"

Christopher's speed was incredible.

In the next moment, he had me in his arms.

His embrace felt like a precious treasure returned.

I wanted to tell him he was holding me too tightly, but he released me first, his eyes scanning me from head to toe. He noticed my scabbed hand and swollen face, his brow furrowing. "You're hurt?"

He grabbed my hand, examining the bruises and scrapes.

His grip tightened slightly, making me wince in pain.

"Christopher, can't you see I'm here too?" Paula teased.

Christopher's attention shifted slightly, loosening his grip on my arm, but his intense gaze remained fixed on me, as if afraid I'd disappear again.

My heart raced under his intense scrutiny.

Avoiding his gaze, I tried to calm myself and asked, "Christopher, how did you know we were missing? And how did you find us so quickly, like a godsend?"

Christopher cleared his throat and replied, "Tiana was working on a new recipe and wanted you to try it. When I couldn't reach you and saw the house was dark, I had someone track you down."

I nodded. Tiana had done that before, so it made sense.

Christopher's eyes never left me, still scanning for injuries.

He suddenly lifted my hand, revealing the scabs. "How did you get hurt so badly?"

I could hear the worry and urgency in his voice.

The worst was over, and I didn't want Christopher to worry, so I reassured him, "It's not that serious, just some scrapes."

But my words didn't ease his concern. I thought I saw a flash of pain in his eyes.

Maybe it was my imagination.

If it weren't for the situation, I'd want to knock some sense into myself. Christopher saved me; how could I think otherwise?

"Just scrapes? You need to take better care of yourself. Let's go..." Christopher frowned, pulling me towards the car.

He had a Range Rover, perfect for these rough roads.

But with the sedative still in my system, my legs were weak. Christopher, at six feet tall, had a much longer stride. I struggled to keep up and nearly stumbled.

Thankfully, Christopher noticed and caught me before I fell.

The next moment, I felt dizzy as he lifted me into his arms.

I immediately tried to get down.

"Don't move," Christopher commanded firmly.

I stayed still, but the situation felt too intimate.

"I can walk," I protested.

Paula, ever the good friend, noticed my discomfort and the awkward tension between Christopher and me. She waved her injured hand and complained, "Christopher, what about me? I'm hurt too."

Christopher glanced at her and said, "Get in the car. We're going to the hospital."

I could tough it out, but Paula, the daughter of a wealthy family, wasn't used to hardship. I couldn't let her suffer.

Paula quickly agreed, "Let's go. I don't want any scars."

She got in the car first.

Seeing her, I followed suit.

After the ordeal and Christopher's timely arrival, I hadn't thought about anything else.

Seeing the exhaustion in Christopher's eyes, I knew he must have been searching for us for a long time. I was grateful for his help.

Paula spoke up, "Christopher, you must have been looking for us for a while. Thank you."

She nudged me, "Melinda, thank Christopher."

Christopher waved it off, "No need. You're my friends. It's what friends do."

Paula didn't push it but expressed her anger about the kidnapping, "I'll find out who did this."

Christopher's expression turned serious, "I'll handle the investigation. You focus on recovering."

Paula wanted to argue, "I can investigate..."

"I'm not asking," Christopher said firmly.

Paula and I exchanged glances, understanding Christopher's concern for our safety.

We decided to listen and let him handle it.