Chapter 179
Jenny watched Lucy flee in panic, momentarily stunned. Her eyes widened with realization, and she quickly ran away too.
Lucy didn’t even stop to grab her designer bag or notify administration. She rushed straight through the campus gates, jumping into the first Uber she saw and heading home..
Mrs. Chancer was surprised to see her. “Lucy, don’t you have afternoon lectures? Why are you home? I’ve invited Katherine and
Emma over for tea.”
Lucy looked at her mother in panic. “Mom! What do I do? The police are coming for me!”
“What are you talking about? Why would the police arrest you?” her mother was bewildered.
Seeing her daughter’s frightened face, she realized. “What have you done now?!”
“Mom! It’s that b*tch! Sarah must have called the police again!” Lucy’s voice trembled.
Her mother steadied her, asking several times before Lucy stammered out,” Mom! Remember that professor who plagiarized a paper and published it online? After she was fired, she kidnapped Sarah yesterday – someone could have died!”
“How does that involve you? That’s the professor’s problem.”
Lucy was near tears. “Mom! Don’t you understand? I stole Sarah’s research and gave it to that professor. And I convinced her to kidnap Sarah because I was so angry! Why does Zachary always take her side?”
Tears streamed down her face. “Mom, what should I do? The police are at campus now – they’ll come here next!”
Mrs. Chancer thought carefully, maintaining composure. “Get your passport and visa. Take the next flight to Milan. Your Uncle Richard will look after you.”
Lucy barely heard her mother’s words, rushing to her room for her passport and luggage. She’d just packed for her planned vacation in Europe – now they’d be her escape route.
She hurried downstairs with a Samsonite suitcase. Their driver had the Mercedes ready. She got in, and they headed for airport.
Her mother watched the car disappear down the boulevard before collapsing onto the sofa. Before she could collect herself, her phone rang.
It was James. She took a deep breath before answering. “James, what is it?”
His voice was urgent. “Is Lucy home?”
Their mother forced a laugh. “No, shouldn’t she be in class?”
“Mom, she’s really not there? Where are you?”
“She… she’s not here. I’m home, waiting for friends to come over.” She struggled to keep her voice steady.
#15 Bonus
“She’s in serious trouble. She’ll face criminal charges.”
Mrs. Chancer’s temples throbbed. “James, tell me exactly what happened.”
“She stole academic research and pressured a professor to kidnap Sarah. Sarah’s in the hospital. The professor just confessed, and the police are looking for Lucy!”
“Then, then Lucy…” Sweat beaded on their mother’s forehead.
James sighed. “Mom, if she manages to escape… Never mind. I have to go.”
After hanging up, James rubbed his temples. From his mother’s reaction, Lucy must have been home and was probably heading to
the airport.
