bChapter /bb224 /b

    The lead officer stared nkly at the vi for a moment before snapping to attention. Pulling out his phone, he said, “We can’t just barge in like this, we need to contact headquarters to obtain a search warrant.”

    Hearing this, Cleo grew anxious and blurted out, “Getting a search warrant could take days! They might be inside right now. If we don’t go in, what if something terrible happens?”

    The officer hesitated. Cleo did have a point. But barging in like this would be breaking and entering.

    Just then, a loud crash echoed from inside the vi. Everyone was startled. Sebastian was the first to react. He took a few steps back, then with a running start vaulted over the wall into the vi’s courtyard.

    The others quickly followed suit. The lead officer signaled two officers to follow him inside to assess the situation, while he led Cleo and the others to bthe /bvi’s front door and knocked on it.

    Half an hour earlier, London had ced the prepared dinner in the second–floor living area, then went into the room to wake the two of them for dinner.

    The moment she opened the door, she saw Brian sitting on the swing on the bedroom balcony, his eyes red from crying. Looking up at Maxineb, /bhe asked in a trembling voice, “Mom, when can we finally go home? I miss Dad.”

    Maxine sighed helplessly. “Just a few more days, sweetheart. Try to hang in there a little longer, okay?”

    Brian fell silent, but his soft sobs could still be heard in the room.

    Seeing this, London felt a pang of pity. She was originally from a nearby vige, and not long ago, someone had been looking for a housekeeper there and specifically those her because she was mute.

    Those people seemed intimidating from the start, it was obvious they weren’t good people. But the pay they offered was just too tempting to refuse. After about a week of training, London was finally brought in to meet Maxine and Brian.

    After seeing them, London realized her employers were clearly up good. But she desperately needed the money. Her child’s surgery depended on olliit. /li/ol

    bno /b

    She had locked herself in her room for a long time, working up the courage to finally face them. But the moment she opened the door, she heard Brian say pitifully, “I miss home.”

    Even her own child, still confined to a hospital bed, had once said those very words to her.

    London stood at the doorway and took a ideep /ibreath to steady herself. She knocked lightly, pointed outside, and mimed eating.

    Maxine nodded and got out of bed.

    Brian trudged dejectedly toward the living area. Just as Maxine brushed past London, she whispered, “Do you know a way out bof /bhere?b” /b

    London’s eyes widened in ishock/i, her face instantly paling with panic.

    Maxine softened her voice to reassure her, saying, “Don’t feel pressured to answer now. I understand your situation and won’t make bthings /bdifficult for you. We’ll still need to rely on your care for the time being.”

    London struggled to control her expression and nodded apprehensively. She raised her hands as if to sign something, but then seemed to think better of bit /band let them drop dejectedly.

    Maxine knew her gamble had paid off. If London could just find an opening, she might finally escape.

    What Maxine didn’t expect, however, was that London had been fidgeting nervously throughout dinner. After the meal, just as Maxine was babout /bbto /bleave. London suddenly reached out and grabbed her hand.

    b1/2 /b

    b09.09 /b

    Maxine’s heart leapt. She knew this was the chance she and Brian had been waiting for.

    Maxine nced around, worried there might be cameras watching. Then, with a bright smile, she swiftly grasped London’s wrist and said, b“/bbDon’t /bbworry /b

    about all this now, London, Could youe help me make the bed?”

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