Chapter 291

Serena's POV

I returned to the computer with more determined steps than before, Lucas following close behind me. The screen displayed Manhattan's complex network of lines, with several areas marked with red circles. The tension in the air was palpable as my heart raced with a mixture of fear and determination.

Drew and Spencer joined us, crowding around the monitor.

I pulled out my notepad covered with scribbled observations and took a deep breath. "Rachel's trip to Manhattan must have been planned in advance," I said, my voice steadier than I expected. "But she's under strict surveillance by the Thorne family. She couldn't make any obvious moves." I traced my finger along the highlighted routes. "All her actions had to be discreet because her family would never allow this. By doing this, she's burning all her bridges-she doesn't plan on going back alive."

Lucas's gray eyes darkened as he processed my words, his jaw clenched tight.

"Once she gave up everything," I continued, "it means the Thorne family can't forge their alliance with the Kennedy family anymore. I don't think Rachel is as complicated as we're making her out to be. She didn't have much time to prepare thoroughly."

Lucas nodded, his expression grave yet focused. Drew ran his hand through his hair, releasing a heavy sigh while Spencer's eyes narrowed with concentration.

"We've wasted too much time looking for her in surveillance blind spots," I said, feeling a surge of clarity. "Her need for secrecy means she had limited time, limited power. She wouldn't have access to Manhattan's transportation blind spot maps."

I pointed to my hand-drawn diagrams. "Without these resources, she couldn't guarantee she'd reasonably avoid detection." My finger traced the path I'd mapped out. "This is the route I found from surveillance records-from Lumi Nova School to where Rachel's car was last parked. I've marked all the blind spots along the way."

I looked up at their faces, newfound conviction building inside me. "There aren't many blind areas. With Rachel's intelligence and cunning, she wouldn't take unnecessary risks."

Spencer nodded firmly. "If it were me, I wouldn't risk it either."

"Which means," I pronounced each word deliberately, feeling the weight of my revelation, "all of us have been deceived by Rachel. She likely never left the car at all."

My statement changed the atmosphere instantly. Lucas's eyes flashed with tension, while Drew and Spencer looked stunned.

"The video Miles sent us only showed a driver getting out of the car," I explained, my mind racing ahead of my words. "It showed no one else inside. But was the car really empty? What if after the driver left-after deliberately drawing away our attention-that's when they emerged?"

Lucas immediately pulled out his phone, his voice commanding. "Miles, get the surveillance footage from where Rachel's car was parked, especially after the driver left."

The tension mounted again, stretching every second into what felt like hours. If my hunch was correct, Rachel's hideout was right there in the the abandoned warehouse district-she hadn't gone far at all.

Minutes ticked by painfully slowly. When Lucas finally received the video files from Miles, he played them at eight times normal speed, his eyes never leaving the screen.

One hour after the driver left, there was movement in the car. Lucas paused and switched to normal playback speed.

The video showed the car slightly rocking as someone sat up inside, cautiously looking around to confirm the area was deserted before speaking to others in the vehicle. Then Rachel and another bodyguard emerged.

They exited the car, opened the trunk, and lifted out the small, sleeping form of Milo.

At the sight of my little boy's helpless body, tears streamed uncontrollably down my face. I had thought I was strong enough, but seeing him-so small, so vulnerable-nearly shattered me. I bit my lip hard, trying to hold myself together, tasting blood as I fought to contain my breakdown.

"Damn it, how devious!" Drew cursed, his fist clenching in anger.

Lucas didn't waste a moment on emotions. He instructed Miles to send the geographical layout and to track which direction the group had headed after leaving the car.

Half an hour later, we had pinpointed Rachel's likely hideout-an abandoned factory within the warehouse district itself.

"Are we going?" I asked, my voice barely steady as I looked into Lucas's eyes, searching for any hint of hesitation.

Lucas nodded, his expression unreadable in the dim light of his penthouse. "Yes."

My heart hammered against my ribs, but I forced myself to appear calmer than I felt. "Let's eat something first." The words tumbled out as I tried to ground myself in practicality. We still had three and a half hours before our meeting with Rachel Thorne. The drive would only take an hour. We had time.

Within minutes, Drew had arranged for a feast to be delivered from Le Jardin. The spread before us seemed almost surreal-gourmet dishes laid out with precision in the dining room. Under normal circumstances, the aroma would have been mouthwatering, but tonight, it might as well have been cardboard.

"Is this our last supper?" I attempted a joke, but my voice cracked. Drew's eyes immediately reddened, catching me off guard.

"Don't say stupid things like that," Drew admonished, his voice thick with emotion. I hadn't meant to upset him, but the weight of what we were facing pressed down on all of us.

Tears welled in my eyes before I could stop them. Lucas silently passed me a tissue, his fingers brushing mine in a touch that was both comforting and heart-wrenching.

"Let's eat," Spencer suggested, clearly trying to ease the unbearable tension that had settled over the table.

We all went through the motions of dining, forks moving mechanically, food remaining largely untasted. The silence was punctuated only by the clink of silverware against fine china.

Drew suddenly spoke, his voice cutting through the quiet. "I used to hate Jace Gillard so much." All eyes turned to him. I watched as he struggled to maintain his composure. Drew had always been sensitive beneath his carefree facade.

"Who was he to just walk away from Eleanor when it suited him?" Drew continued, his voice growing unsteady. "Now, knowing he's in the ICU after that car accident, not even sure if he'll open his eyes again... I suddenly realize how petty all our grand loves and hatreds seem when faced with mortality."

A tear escaped and rolled down his cheek. "I think I could even accept him and Eleanor together, if it meant he'd just live." His words hung in the air as more tears followed.

Spencer reached over, squeezing Drew's shoulder in silent support. I felt my own tears threatening again, understanding all too well how quickly life's priorities could shift when faced with potential loss.

After we'd made our minimal attempts at eating, Drew and Spencer walked us to the door. The hallway felt endless, each step carrying us closer to whatever fate awaited.

"Don't forget you owe Spencer and me a proper dinner," Drew called out, a hint of his usual self peeking through the emotion.

Lucas turned, his face softening for the first time that evening. "I remember. I won't break my promise."

As we walked away, Drew's voice echoed down the corridor after us. "I'll be waiting for you!"

Lucas raised his hand in an "OK" gesture without looking back.

At 10:32 PM, we went to Rachel's stash.

"You should rest," Lucas said, his deep voice gentle in the quiet cabin. "It'll take us an hour and twenty-five minutes to get there."

I nestled against his chest, feeling the steady rhythm of his heartbeat beneath my ear. His arm wrapped around me, drawing me closer, and I breathed in his familiar scent-subtle cologne mingled with something uniquely him. My eyes burned with unshed tears as a thought ambushed me: Could this be the last time I would rest against him like this?

I closed my eyes, not to sleep-sleep seemed impossible-but to memorize every sensation. The warmth of his body, the strength of his arm around me, the rise and fall of his chest with each breath. If this was to be our last night together, I wanted to remember every moment, every touch, every heartbeat.