"Let go, darling," Gabriel whispered urgently, holding her tightly as the guards began dragging them towards the waiting black SUV parked by the fountain. "You are only hurting yourself… please… we can figure things out later… just let go for now."
Her sobs broke into hysterical cries, "No… no… please… Lu Zhi Hao… Lu Zhi Hao… help me… don't let him do this… please…!"
Her desperate voice rang out sharply across the courtyard, echoing against the stone walls and up to the mansion's tall windows.
— — — — — —
Inside, on the ground floor, Lu Zhi Hao stood by the wide window with Wan Ruyi leaning lightly against his chest.
They heard every choked plea drifting up from the courtyard ahead.
Wan Ruyi's eyes lowered, her expression unreadable as she felt his arm tighten around her waist.
