?<strong>Chapter 318:</strong>


    “Aurora! Where are you?” Joelle asked.


    Aurora scanned her surroundings. “Mom, we’re in the car!” Joelle tried to keep her voice steady, not wanting to rm her daughter. “Aurora.”


    Her voice wavered, something Adrian picked up on right away. He took the phone from her. “Aurora, it’s Uncle Adrian speaking.”


    “Mr. Miller, this is Dunn Finch speaking.” Dunn’s even tone helped soothe Adrian a bit.


    “Dunn, what are you doing in the car?”


    Rnd looked towards Lara, who was at the wheel. “We were ying at the wedding venue when a woman told us she’d take Aurora and Rnd to the amusement park. I decided to tag along.”


    Dunn, only five and from the Finch family, had been taught to be clever and vignt.


    Adrian visualized the scenario. Dunn likely hadn’t had a chance to alert his family before he chose to follow and look out for Aurora and Rnd, worried about their safety.


    “Dunn, can you tell me where you are right now?”


    Dunn, still learning to read many words, simply described what he saw outside the window. “I see a mall, and there’s a tall, pointy building in front of it—” He was cut off as Lara snatched the phone.


    “Shut up, you little brat!” Dunn didn’t resist, understanding his importance, as well as the value of Aurora and Rnd to the Miller, Watson, and Romero families. It was clear no sane person would risk harming them.


    He figured this woman wasn’t very smart; otherwise, she wouldn’t have been so foolish as to target the three of them.


    Adrian’s voice came stern and urgent through the phone. “Lara, you better make sure nothing happens to them. If even a single hair on their heads is harmed, I won’t let it slide.”


    “There’s no need to overreact. I was merely having a bit of fun with the kids. If you’re that concerned, you and Joelle shoulde get them yourselves. But just the two of you.”


    Adrian tried to discern her motives, but Joelle was past worrying about Lara’s intentions.


    “Where are you? We’lle right now! Lara, please, don’t harm the children!”


    “I’ll text you the location in thirty minutes.” Lara ended the call abruptly. When Joelle attempted to redial, she found that Lara’s phone was already switched off.


    Adrian reassured her with aforting hand on her back. “Stay calm, let’s get in touch with Jonathan first. He might be able to reach Lara before we can.”


    Lacey also chimed in, trying to soothe her. “Joelle, try not to panic. We’ll get the kids back safe and sound.”


    Gradually, Joelle steadied herself, took several deep breaths, and dialed Jonathan’s number.


    Meanwhile, Lara turned off her phone with a scoff, casually tossing it out the window.


    The car left the bustling city behind, heading towards a more secluded area.


    Aurora’s eyes widened with fear as she stared at Lara.


    She clutched Dunn’s arm tightly. “Dunn, I’m scared.”


    “It’s okay,” Dunn reassured her, patting her head gently. “I’ll protect you.”


    Just then, Rnd, who had been dozing fitfully, began to cry loudly, and soon a foul odor filled the car.


    Lara, driving, pinched her nose and nced back repeatedly. “Did he poop? Why does it smell so terrible?”


    Aurora clenched her fist, upset. “Don’t say that about my brother!”


    Dunn, also covering his nose, suggested calmly, “You should pull over. If he keeps crying, it might draw attention. You wouldn’t want anyone to find out you’re kidnapping kids, right?”


    Reluctantly, Lara realized she had to stop; the smell was bing unbearable.


    Left with no option, she slowed the car and parked in front of a grocery store.


    She handed some cash to Dunn. “Go inside and get some diapers and wet wipes.”


    As Rnd reached out to take the money, Lara withdrew her hand sharply. “Behave yourself. If you try anything or scream for help, I’ll make sure you regret it!”


    Dunn’s face remained impassive. “Even if I did ask for help, who would believe a kid like me?”


    “Smart kid,” Lara said, finally handing him the money.


    Dunn exited the car quickly and dashed into the supermarket. Left behind with nothing else to do, Lara turned her attention to Aurora.


    Aurora clung to Rnd protectively. “You bad woman, what do you n to do with me and my brother?”


    “Who taught you to speak to adults like that? You have no manners.”


    “People like you don’t deserve respect! I’ll have you know, my dad is a doctor. If you hurt us, he’ll make sure your treatment is very painful!”


    “Your dad is a doctor?” Lara chuckled dismissively. “Little girl, have you ever looked in the mirror? You look just like Adrian. Don’t you see who your real father is?”


    Aurora paused for a moment, then stood up defiantly, saying, “You’re lying! Evil woman! I am my dad’s daughter!”


    “Sit down, you little brat!”


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