Chapter 714

　　Third person's POV 　　Two more gunshots rang out, the shooter's aim dead on as two more men fell to the ground. 　　Tabitha saw a tall figure standing deep in the alley, shrouded in a cloak, making it impossible to discern who it was. 　　Tabitha's mind raced with questions. Was he a friend or foe? 　　The man removed his hat, revealing the distinctive totem mask beneath. 　　Tabitha stared in disbelief and uttered, "Lucian, why are you here?" 　　"Long story. Come with me," Lucian said, grabbing Tabitha's hand and leading her away. 　　They didn't get far before Tabitha glanced back to see Derek and Leopold rushing out of a bar together. 　　Surprise washed over Tabitha. How could Derek be here? 　　Her blood seemed to freeze. 'When did he return?' 　　Lucian pulled Tabitha into a dilapidated black car that passed right in front of Derek. 　　Leaning against the car window, Tabitha gazed at Derek, lost in thought. 　　'If Leopold had arranged to meet him today, then Leopold had known about her meeting with Gloria, which meant he had known she was alive. Did he no longer love her, or was everything under his control?' 　　In the swirling snow, Tabitha saw Derek's anxious face as he ran towards the alley. 　　"Tabitha!" Derek's heart-wrenching cry echoed through the snowy fields. 　　Seeing the blood at the entrance of the alley, Derek felt a wave of unease. From a distance, he spotted several bodies lying in the alley. 　　His vision darkened, nearly collapsing. 'Is Tabitha dead?' He dared not entertain the thought further. 　　Leopold rushed over and, after confirming the dead, said, "Don't worry. Your mate isn't here." 　　Derek breathed a sigh of relief, feeling strength return to his body. He approached the bodies and said, "They just died." 　　A bodyguard remarked, "This man is the one who took Ms. Hartley. We pursued immediately, but the bar was in chaos, and we were detained." 　　How could Tabitha have disappeared so quickly, and the man be dead? Did Tabitha do it? 　　Derek wondered, 'I haven't given her a gun. Where did she get a weapon?' 　　"It's unlikely. These wounds are all fatal shots, requiring an excellent marksman, indicating another person was present." 　　The events of the night had exceeded Derek's expectations, and he began to regret keeping the appointment. If he hadn't come, Tabitha wouldn't have gotten into trouble. 　　"They can't have gotten far." 　　Lucian sped along, taking Tabitha to the countryside. 　　After abandoning the car, he pointed to a vehicle with fake plates and said, "Get in." 　　Trusting Lucian unconditionally, Tabitha complied. 　　The car drove into a vast forest, and Lucian warned, "The road ahead is a bit bumpy. Hold on tight." 　　Tabitha responded, "Alright." 　　Neither of them spoke during the journey. Lucian was taciturn, and they were, at best, casual acquaintances. 　　The forest paths were dirt tracks, and the car jolted violently, with poor visibility, only the headlights illuminating a few meters ahead. 　　Clutching the handle tightly, Tabitha finally asked, "How is Helios doing?" 　　Lucian replied, "He's doing well, and you'll see him soon." 　　Tabitha exhaled in relief, saying, "That's good. Lucian, thank you for these two years." 　　Lucian said, "The situation was urgent back then, and I couldn't explain. Later, I was hunted and dared not contact you, so I had to wander with the child. Fortunately, you're alive." 　　The car stopped, and Tabitha saw a small cabin in the distance. 　　At the sound of the car, a little head peeked out the window—it was the boy she had met on the boat that night. 　　Tabitha's heart leaped, and as soon as the car stopped, she rushed towards the boy. 　　Helios also spotted her and cautiously opened the door, stepping out of the house. 　　He wasn't sure of the woman's identity and called out in a small, childish voice, "Mom?" 　　Without responding, Tabitha embraced Helios, tears streaming down her face, saying, "Helios, I've finally found you." 　　Feeling his mother's warm hug, Helios's small face crumpled with grief, and he cried, "Mom, where's Ayla?" 　　Tabitha comforted him, "Don't worry. Ayla is in a very safe place. She's fine." 　　The two children had been separated for so long. He must have been so worried during this time. 　　Lucian parked the car and said, "It's cold outside. Let's go inside and talk." 　　Tabitha agreed, "Okay." 　　She lifted Helios into her arms, her eyes filled with maternal love, her cheek pressed against Helios' face. At this moment, she felt as if she were dreaming. 　　She had truly found her children. 　　Helios wrapped his arms around her neck, his big eyes examining her over and over, unable to believe that the mother he had longed for had finally appeared. 　　As Tabitha was about to ask Lucian what had happened back then, her phone in her pocket vibrated. 　　She took out her phone and saw it was Forrest's number. Tabitha answered the call, saying, "Hello."