Chapter 451

“We live nearby. Mr. Lockridge said you were in danger and told us to get here as fast as possible.”

“Are you alright?”

Evangeline shook her head and pulled out her phone to check Finn’s location.

Just as Madden had said, Finn seemed to be tied up. He was still some distance away and would need at least half an hour to get here.

Half an hour.

Evangeline looked at the men who had come to help her, then glanced back at Madden’s crew.

Victor’s bodyguards were rigorously selected and specially trained. These guys, on the other hand…

She didn’t mean to look down on them, but Finn had fought them before, and not a single one of them had been a match for him. How could they possibly stand against so many of Victor’s men?

Could they really last for half an hour?

At that moment, Madden frowned at the group of people who had suddenly appeared.

“Get lost,” he said coldly.

The leader of Evangeline’s group scoffed. “You think you own the road? Why should

I listen to you?”

“A bunch of grown men bullying a woman. How pathetic. If you want a real fight, come at me. I’ll give you a lesson.”

With that, the man rolled up his sleeves.

Madden barely gave him a second glance, dismissing him entirely as he walked past, heading straight for Evangeline.

The man grabbed Madden by the collar. “Hey, I’m talking to you, you…”

Madden’s gaze fell to the man’s hand. “Let go.”

The man chuckled. “I don’t think I will. What are you going to do about it?” Madden’s eyes narrowed.

A sense of dread washed over Evangeline. This was bad.

“Don’t-“

Before she could finish, Madden moved with lightning speed, his fist connecting squarely with the man’s face.

With Madden throwing the first punch, the scene erupted into chaos. The two groups clashed in a messy brawl.

But the difference in skill was immense. Madden’s men quickly gained the upper hand.

Evangeline’s would-be rescuers were left bruised and battered, unable to get up from the ground.

“Run!” someone shouted at her.

Snapping back to reality, Evangeline scrambled toward her car, intending to drive away.

But before she could even touch the handle, an arm clamped around her neck from behind, locking her in a chokehold.

Evangeline struggled with all her might.

She punched, she bit, she threw her elbows back.

But she couldn’t break free. The hold grew tighter, and her breathing became more and more difficult.

“Hey, what are you doing over there?”

“Everyone, look! A group of men kidnapping a woman in broad daylight!”

“I recognize that logo on your jackets! That’s from Lockridge Holdings! You’re with Lockridge Holdings, aren’t you?”

A familiar female voice cut through the air.

The man holding Evangeline must have been startled by the interruption; because his grip

loosened for a split second

Evangeline seized the opportu

twisting and slamming her elbow into his face.

The man yelped in pain and staggered back, clutching his nose.

Evangeline looked up and saw them—her roommates, Linda and Tabitha.

Tabitha rushed forward to help her up.

Linda, meanwhile, had her phone out, the camera aimed directly at the man Evangeline had just hit.

As she filmed, she spoke with dramatic indignation. “Lockridge Holdings is supposed to be one the most respected companies in Serenity City. I can’t believe they’d stoop to this kind of dirty business.”

“Don’t bother glaring at me, and don’t even think about trying anything. I’m livestreaming this to my followers right now.”

Madden couldn’t be sure if she was bluffing, but the camera made him hesitate. He had to be more careful.

He reined in his aggression and said coldly, “This has nothing to do with you. I suggest you stay out of it.”

Linda laughed mockingly. “Nothing to do with us?”

“This is Serenity City. It’s everyone’s responsibility to keep the women here safe.”

“I suggest you leave. If you don’t, I’m calling the police. I wonder what everyone will think when the news reports that employees of Lockridge Holdings were out here in the middle of the night, harassing a young woman instead of doing their jobs.”

Madden was furious that his plan had been interrupted not once, but twice. He shot

a cold glare at one of his bodyguards. “What is going on?”

The bodyguard stammered, terrified, “I… I sealed off the whole road. I don’t know how anyone could have gotten through.”

Of course, they had no idea that Linda and Tabitha hadn’t just been passing by. Madden was wary, but he wasn’t willing to give up such a hard-won opportunity. Victor had given him an order, and he intended to carry it out, no matter what.