Chapter 22
**TITLE: Terms Were Unspoken by Mark Twain** **Chapter 22: Stay Hidden p>
Stay Hidden.
With a deliberate calmness, Nathaniel returned the documents to the safe, the heavy door clanging shut as he locked it, just seconds before the police officer arrived.
“Mr. Thorne?” Officer Philips greeted him, the familiar face of the officer primarily tasked with monitoring the mansion.
“Look what I found,” Nathaniel exclaimed, gesturing toward the safe as though he had just stumbled upon a hidden treasure. “Apparently, this panel here moves to the side p>
The officer’s brow furrowed in concern. “I can contact a locksmith if you’d like p>
“Let’s try a few combinations first,” Nathaniel replied, his heart racing as he awaited Officer Philips’ reaction. The documents detailing Victor’s tax evasion were crucial evidence, and they had to be handled with utmost care. Verification was still needed, and the last thing they could afford was for the evidence to be dismissed as a mere fabrication.
Feigning confidence, Nathaniel pretended to unlock the safe, muttering the significance of the numbers as he went. “It’s not Victor’s birthday, nor is it Roselind’s p>
“Perhaps it’s their daughter’s birthday?” the officer offered hesitantly. “Your… um, ex-wife p>
“Let’s give that a shot,” Nathaniel replied, a flicker of hope igniting within him.
Deep down, he already knew the answer. He had witnessed Serena deftly open the safe before; entering her birthday would surely yield the desired results. If successful, the documents would be admissible in court, a crucial turning point in their battle against Victor.
Serena had handled the documents earlier, but she had been careful to wear gloves, ensuring that her fingerprints would remain absent from any incriminating evidence.
Officer Philips was the first to examine the contents. As he sifted through the papers, his face lit up with recognition. “Is this what you’re looking for?” he asked, passing the files over to Nathaniel.
Nathaniel scanned the documents, feigning surprise as he flipped through the tax evasion papers. He pointed them out to the officer, his mind racing with the implications of their discovery.
“Alright, I’ll report these to the station first before handing you the research paper,” Officer Philips stated, gathering the files with a sense of urgency.
“Understandable,” Nathaniel replied, his mind already racing ahead to the next
steps.
“Mr. Thorne?” Just then, the second officer, Officer Lopez, arrived, a look of determination on his face. “Sir, your assistant is here p>
Gavin appeared at the door, a broad smile on his face as he was escorted by the officer. “Officer Philips, I brought dinner for you and Officer Lopez. It’s the best roasted chicken in town! I’ve set up the food on the patio so you both can enjoy a proper meal p>
The officers’ faces brightened at the mention of food. Before heading back to the mansion’s entrance, they turned to Nathaniel, who offered them a faint smile. “I’’II just use the bathroom for a moment p>
They nodded, following Gavin, and once the coast was clear, Nathaniel swiftly closed the study door behind him and opened the closet.
Inside, Serena was taking deep, measured breaths, her anxiety palpable.
“Let’s go,” he urged, his voice firm but gentle. “We need to move quickly p>
“Alice is waiting for me at the back. I’ll leave the same way I came in,” Serena replied, her voice tinged with urgency.
As Nathaniel followed her into the hallway, he noticed her suddenly freeze by the basement door. Her lips trembled as she turned to him, fear etched across her features. “I-I can’t p>
He extended his hand, a reassuring gesture. “Let’s go, then p>
Serena felt paralyzed by the prospect of descending into the basement again; it was
a haunting reminder of past fears. Yet, with Nathaniel’s hand in hers, she felt a flicker of courage.
They moved quickly, yet cautiously, their eyes darting around as they navigated the hallway. Nathaniel’s grip on her hand was firm, and Serena’s heart raced with each step they took.
From the living room, the sounds of the officers enjoying their dinner reached them, the conversations punctuated by laughter as Gavin skillfully distracted them.
When they finally reached the door, Nathaniel peered outside, but just as he did, he suddenly pulled her back to hide behind a decorative column. “There’s another police officer outside,” he whispered urgently, his breath warm against her cheek.
They were mere inches apart, and Serena could see the tension in Nathaniel’s expression, the tightness of his jaw, the way his eyes squeezed shut for a brief moment as he steadied himself. “Listen carefully,” he instructed, his intense blue- gray gaze locked onto hers.
As he whispered his plan, Serena felt a surge of determination. She could do this; she had to.
“Stay hidden,” he urged, a note of urgency in his tone.
Serena nodded, her resolve strengthening.
She quickly crouched down behind the living room sofa, her heart pounding in her chest. Nathaniel, meanwhile, returned to the study. deliberately leaving his phone. behind. Then, he exited the house, his voice carrying through the air. “Officer, I think I left my phone inside. Would you mind fetching it for me p>
“Ahh.” The officer hesitated, his brow furrowing, but eventually relented. “Sure, Mr. Thorne p>
act.
As the officer stepped inside, Nathaniel took his position in the living room, ready to
That was Serena’s cue.
In a flash, she bolted out the door, her heart racing.
A sleek black BMW sat waiting in the driveway, its backseat door ajar. Serena recognized it as Gavin’s car; she hadn’t even known he had upgraded.
Without a second thought, she jumped inside and slammed the door shut. Mere seconds later, Nathaniel emerged from the house, his phone in hand, a look of relief washing over his face.
Even though the car’s windows were
tinted, Serena still crouched down
low, panic gripping her. The thought
of being discovered by the police sent chills down her spine. If they found her not only would she face carceration, but Nathaniel’s custodianship over the house could be jeopardized for aiding her escape. The stakes were far too high, and the last thing she wanted was to provoke Bianca’s wrath again.
Just then, Gavin returned to the car, casually opening the driver’s side door. He greeted the officer with a nonchalant smile, as if everything were perfectly normal. Sliding into the seat, he closed the door behind him Without sparing a glance at Serena, he reassured her Dont. worry, Miss Kline. The boss and I are
going to get you out of here safe p>
Nathaniel opened the backseat door slightly, preparing to enter, when the officer
suddenly called out, “Wait. Mr. Thorne p>
Serena’s heart raced, pounding against her chest like a drum. For a terrifying
moment, she feared she was about to learn the harsh reality of being behind bars.