From His Ex-Wife to the World's Most Sought-After Restorer (Jade and Hudson) novel Chapter 226

As for Jade, Victor chose to leave her name out of it.

He wanted to believe yesterday was just a freak coincidence. Besides, a woman as fragile as a willow branch didn't exactly scream "threat" to professional hitters like them.

"Why the hell didn't you tell me this yesterday?" Lyndon barked, his face turning a dangerous shade of red.

"This place is compromised. Grab the files and let's move!"

Victor shoved the core documents into his briefcase and fell in line behind Lyndon.

The two of them hurried out.

Once their footsteps faded into the distance, Jade finally shifted her stiff legs and rose from the shadows.

She took a few seconds to breathe. Her legs were buzzing with pins and needles, but she couldn't afford to linger. Bracing herself against the lumber, she forced herself toward the back exit, heading for the rental she'd hidden behind the tree line.

Victor and Lyndon might double back. She had to be faster.

She reached the car and had just grabbed the door handle when a blinding beam of light cut through the dark, hitting her square in the eyes.

"I knew it! Someone's here!" It was Lyndon's voice.

Jade froze for a split second before her survival instinct kicked in. She yanked her cap down, dived into the car, slammed the door, and floored it.

"Hey! Stop!" Victor was already on foot, chasing after her.

Lyndon grabbed him by the collar and yanked him back. "What are you doing? Get in the car!"

A man can't outrun four wheels. What the hell was Victor thinking?

Victor snapped to his senses and sprinted for their vehicle. Lyndon shoved him aside, jumped into the driver's seat, and slammed the accelerator to the floor, the engine roaring as they tore off after her.

The two cars engaged in a high-stakes hunt along the winding, jagged cliffside road.

Jade glanced at the rearview mirror. The headlights behind her were gaining ground with terrifying speed. Her heart sank into her stomach, the cold dread of a cornered animal washing over her.

She'd thought they were gone.

Instead, they'd been lying in wait for her.

Jade forced herself to stay focused. She fumbled for her phone and dialed Julian.

No answer. She pivoted and called Burton.

The old man's voice came through, warm and steady.

"Jade, dear? Calling so late—is everything alright?"

Jade's eyes burned, and her throat felt like it was closing up. It took everything she had to find her voice.

"Mr. Forster... I'm in trouble. I'm on the North Coastal Road, near the cliffs. Can you... can you send help?"

The old man's tone shifted instantly to one of calm command. "Don't panic. I'm sending my people now. Just stay on the line."

Jade opened her mouth to speak, but a deafening crunch erupted from the back of her car.

The entire vehicle fishtailed. The impact threw her forward, her forehead slamming against the windshield before the seatbelt yanked her back with a violent snap.

In the chase car, Lyndon pounded the steering wheel in fury.

"Godd*mn it! Who is this? How the hell are they out-driving me?"

Victor thought back to that split second when the flashlight hit the car—the slender silhouette behind the glass. Jade's face flashed in his mind.

"Could it be Jade Merchant?"

"Jade?" Lyndon hadn't expected to hear that name. His mind raced through a dozen possibilities, but right now, only one thing mattered.

"I don't care who it is. Force them off the road."

Victor nodded. Lyndon floored it again, aiming for her rear quarter panel.

Smash.

Jade's car surged forward from the impact, the tires screaming as they fought for traction.

Inside, Jade was deathly pale. She'd never been in a situation like this, and her only instinct was to keep the wheel straight.

Up ahead, a sharp curve approached. Jade saw her opening. She'd use the turn to lose them.

She waited for the right second, then buried the accelerator.

Whoosh— The car shot forward like a bullet.

But in that heartbeat, the chase car lunged. It pulled alongside her, the engine screaming, and executed a perfect fishtail, blocking the entire road in front of her.