Passing through the supermarket’s merchandise zone, Titus Zane suppressed the excitement within her heart. The direction towards the restroom was mostly deserted. Aunt had said that next to the restroom was a fire escape, leading straight to the supermarket’s basement level...
Behind her, Caspian Warner’s footsteps also picked up speed. With nobody around, this would be convenient for him to make his move. Just as he took a large step, ready to catch up quickly, Titus Zane suddenly stopped near the corner by the stairs.
Seeing the man standing in front of her felt like having a bucket of cold water poured over head, chilling her from top to bottom, the fervent warmth in her heart dissipating along with it.
"...Nathan... why are you here..."
Observing Titus’s panic without raising alarm, Nathan said politely, "Madam mentioned earlier that you wanted to use the restroom, worried you might get lost, so I came over to look for you."
Could she say he was here to stop her!
With an awkward smile, Titus Zane straightened her hair, "Indeed, I didn’t manage to find it."
"Miss, this way." Nathan extended his arm, pointing out the direction for Titus Zane, who had no choice but to head towards the restroom with a stiff expression.
Not far away, Caspian Warner retreated upon seeing a man block Titus Zane’s path. Concealing his body behind the tall shelves, he watched the man walk alongside Titus towards the direction of the restroom upstairs, then turned around and disappeared into the crowd shopping in the supermarket.
Lingering in the restroom for quite a while, Titus Zane emerged finally with disappointment. As expected, Nathan was still standing at the door. She had thought of calling Nathan Moore, but then reconsidered, not wanting to share the disappointment; after all, it was a hollow joy.
"Miss, in the future, it’s better not to wander off. Given your unique status, if criminals take advantage of the situation, the consequences would be unimaginable," Nathan solemnly warned from behind her, Titus Zane muttered discontentedly, "Don’t be alarmist, how many bad people can there be in a lawful society."
Nathan didn’t say anything more. After all, he was only trying to scare her. But unexpectedly, his casual words of intimidation turned prophetic.
Abigail Zimmerman was also surprised to see Nathan follow Titus Zane over, glancing at her niece with a disappointed face before turning to Nathan, "Nathan, weren’t you waiting in the parking lot?"
With a smile, Nathan explained, "Madam, the holiday’s approaching, and I was worried that you had too many ingredients to carry, so I came up to help."
While he spoke, Nathan exchanged a glance with Abigail, their eyes conveying an understanding between them. ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ꜰʀᴏᴍ 𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹~𝓯𝓲𝓻𝓮~𝚗𝚎𝚝
High-spirited at arrival, disheartened at departure. This precisely described Titus Zane’s mood at that moment.
On the way back, turning her gaze outside the car window, her delicate face bore an inescapable gloom.
It seems Grandfather wasn’t just speaking in the heat of the moment. By having Abigail stick so close, he must also be guarding against her sneaking away.
Nathan Moore, what should I do...
A sigh of resignation involuntarily escaped her lips.
"Titus, with New Year’s approaching, what gift would you like? Aunt will buy it for you."
Abigail Zimmerman turned and looked over, smiling at her niece. Titus Zane pulled herself back from her thoughts, looking at her aunt with a dispirited expression, "No need, I don’t need anything."
"Silly child, this is your first holiday back with the Zane family; we should celebrate. How about tomorrow you accompany Aunt to the department store, and I’ll help you pick out some clothes?"
Titus Zane couldn’t tell if her aunt really wanted to give her a gift or if she was creating an opportunity for her. Regardless of the intent, only by leaving that mansion would she have the chance to escape.
Titus Zane felt her life was tragic. Three years ago, held hostage by Nathan Moore using the Zane family’s fate, although her freedom wasn’t restricted, she didn’t dare leave.
Now, she was imprisoned by her own relatives, even losing the freedom to come and go.