Chapter 401

Natalie nodded and took a small bite of her pancake.

Shane’s expression softened as he watched her eat. He took another pancake for himself.

After breakfast, Natalie secured the kids’ school bags before pushing them towards Shane. “Mr. Shane,
thank you for your help again today.”

“Not a problem. We’ll get going then.” Shane pulled the kids with him out the door.

Natalie followed them to the elevator.

Shane suddenly halted before the elevators as if he recalled something. He turned his head slightly and
said, “Today is the trial hearing for Jasmine’s plagiarism case. Harrison is definitely going to be there so
you need to be careful. I’m worried he’s going to take his anger out on you when the verdict is
announced; just like Susan did last time.”

Natalie’s heart warmed at his advice. She tucked her hair behind her ear as she replied, “Don’t worry, Mr.
Shane. I’ll be careful.”

Seeing that she’d taken his words to heart, Shane nodded and led the kids into the elevator.

Natalie didn’t linger after they left. She headed back to her apartment and busied herself with work.

At twelve, she set down her shears and cooked herself a bowl of spaghetti for lunch. She quickly
changed and left for the courthouse.



Natalie slung her bag across her shoulder as she stepped out of the building. Suddenly, she thought she
sensed someone watching her with malice.



She slowed down instinctively, turning around to pinpoint where the stares were coming from. She saw a
few unsavory-looking thugs sitting on a nearby flower bed.

They seemed to notice that Natalie had discovered them. They exchanged glances with each other
before standing up and stubbing out their cigarettes. Cracking their fists, they began to approach Natalie
menacingly.

Sensing imminent danger, Natalie’s pupils contracted in fear as she took two steps backward before
turning and breaking into a run.

The thugs didn’t expect her to suddenly make a run for it. Stunned, they stayed rooted for a moment
before chasing after her. “Quick! Don’t let her get away!”

Hearing the thundering footsteps behind her, Natalie knew the thugs were definitely sent to get her. She
dared not turn her head back as she ran at full speed.

Terrified, she shouted for help. “Help! Someone’s after me! Help!”

Some pedestrians stopped curiously to stare as they heard her calls for help.

But once they caught sight of the ferocious-looking thugs who were chasing after her, their sympathy
was quickly replaced with fear. Lowering their heads, they pretended not to see a thing as they hurried
away from the scene.

Natalie felt disappointed when she saw all the pedestrians turning away from her. Though she could
empathize with them, the rejection was still a bitter pill to swallow.

Since she couldn’t rely on the pedestrians to help her, she could only continue shouting for help as she
reached into her bag, trying to pull out her phone to call the police.



She’d just unlocked her phone when she came to a halting stop. She hadn’t even managed to call the
police yet.

She’d run into a dead-end. Faced with a towering wall, she couldn’t get around or over it.

Sh*t, I’ve been cornered!

“Why’d you stop running, huh?” The thugs had caught up to her and were staring at the wall in front of
her. Taking in her tense outline, they laughed. “Why don’t you keep running? You were running so fast
just now.”

Hearing their mocking laughter, Natalie turned around to face them, her face pale with fear. She hid her
phone behind her as she navigated to the call log based on memory. She randomly tapped on one of the
numbers and dialed it.

She didn’t know who she’d called, but she could only hope that the recipient would answer her call and
contact the police.

I can’t call the police. I can’t even see the keypad, and I might dial the wrong number. There’s no more
time to waste. This is the best option I have.




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