Ex Cried as I Wed a Tycoon

Chapter 157

Effie gripped the steering wheel, her knuckles white. She wasn't used to city driving, so she took it slow, eyes darting from mirror to mirror as she navigated through the busy streets. Once she finally reached the outskirts, the traffic thinned, the world quieted, and she could breathe a little easier.

She guided her car down the empty road toward the old factory. The silence was broken by a sudden, desperate sound from the roadside a voice, trembling and weak, calling out, "Help... Please, help..."

Effie frowned, thinking she might be hearing things. But as she inched the car forward, her headlights swept across the edge of a small grove ahead, revealing two figures standing over someone sprawled on the ground-a girl.

She eased her foot off the gas, instincts warring in her chest. Every rational thought told her to keep driving. She was alone, and those two looked like trouble -young men, barely out of their teens, but grown enough to overpower her. Still, the girl's faint cries for help cut through her hesitation.

Effie's heart hammered in her chest as she scanned the empty road through her rearview mirror, then slowly pulled over to the curb. The girl's voice was fading, her struggle growing weaker, while the two men yanked at her arms, trying to drag her further into the trees.

low but urgent. "Hello, I need the police. I'm

hung up, biting her lip, staring at the grim scene ahead. The police would need time to get here, and

eyes landed on the warning triangle and the tire iron she kept for emergencies. She popped the trunk, grabbed the iron, and hid it

Effie called out, making her

and she knew rushing in like this was reckless. She might not be able to save the girl-and she could end up hurt herself-but

at her in surprise. The one with fiery red hair glared and

Effie, a flicker of hope lighting in her eyes. "Please... help

iron and steadied herself. "I've called the police. They're on their way. If you let her

right. Cops won't get out here for half an