"Why are you acting like I didn’t text you I would be here soon?" He questioned her back. "Of course, I’m here to see you." He joked.
Samantha blinked at him, unable to believe her ears.
"Really?" Xander asked from behind Julian.
Julian was shocked to see Xander standing in front of him because Samantha never ntioned in her text that he was at the factory. However, he kept his composure.
"You sound like I want to steal your woman." As soon as those words slipped out from his mouth, he felt a piercing glare from his side and it was coming from none other than Samantha herself.
Xander narrowed his eyes at Julian but didn’t say anything.
"If you’re here to try to convince to sell Anastasia to you, then you’d better save your energy because I’m not gonna. The couple Anastasia is going to be a surrogate mother will be arriving from abroad in the next two days and once they do, everything will be finalized."
Julian was glad he didn’t need to ask Xander about how long it would take the couple to get there so he wouldn’t be a suspect when Anastasia successfully escaped.
"Well, there’s nothing I can do if you don’t want to give the girl. I’ll just wait for another crimson hunt or if I feel like, I can just buy them from the trade." Julian simply shrugged.
"Then why are you here?" Samantha repeated her earlier question.
Julian rarely visited the factory unless sothing ca up."
"One of the high-profile clients requested an update on their surrogate. I need to verify her status and make sure she’s kept in line—it’s a delicate situation," he responded, which wasn’t completely a lie.
Earlier that morning, he’d received a phone call from one of the clients who would like to know the status of theirsurrogate. At first, Julian had wondered why the client hadn’t contacted either Samantha or Xander, but he was glad since he could use it as an excuse and get in touch with Anastasia to inform her of his plan.
The suspicion that clouded Samantha’s face imdiately vanished when she heard Julian’s words.
"Oh..."
"What ward is the surrogate for the Salvador couple at?" Julian asked, silently relieved that Samantha didn’t suspect him.
"She’s in the second mansion. If I’m correct, it’s Ward 135. Ask one of the nurses just to be sure," she replied.
Julian nodded, shared a look with Xander, and excused himself while their gazes lingered at his back.
Julian wasn’t going to look for any surrogate, but he pretended to do so as his eyes scanned and scanned for Anastasia. He didn’t want to result in searching all the other mansions just to find her.
Just when he was about to climb up the flight of stairs just so he wouldn’t miss her if he used an elevator, he saw her coming out from the restroom.
He didn’t waste any ti dragging her back inside, covering her mouth before she would yell out for everyone to hear.
When Anastasia made eye contact with him, her eyes were in disbelief as she struggled harder to escape from his grip.
"You need to stop that, or soone will hear us," Julian whispered urgently. His tone was firm but calming. "Don’t worry, I’m not going to hurt you. I’m only here to help you."
Anastasia’s eyebrows furrowed in confusion, her breathing heavy from the struggle. She hesitated for a mont before finally ceasing her movents.
"I’ll let you go," he continued, loosening his grip slightly, "but don’t yell."
She nodded in understanding, her wide eyes locking onto his, searching for any sign of deceit.
Julian released his hold, and the mont he did, Anastasia took several cautious steps back, her body trembling as though he were a danger zone she needed to avoid at all costs.
"What do you want from ?" Her eyes trembled as she asked those questions.
The last ti she’d seen Julian was at the crimson hunt when she’d been violated by all those n according to Samantha’s orders. Seeing him standing in front of her made her think he would want sothing she wouldn’t be able to give.
As if he read her mind, Julian responded, "I don’t want anything from you." Her frown deepened further. "I want to help you escape from here if you want to." Anastasia didn’t blink for the next few seconds that passed after he said those words, which worried Julian that she might be in a state of shock.
He stepped closer to her but she only took further steps back. Luckily, the restroom was large so she had plenty of space to keep between them.
She believed he was a trap that was laid by Samantha since the latter was so hungry to catch her plotting her escape so she’d sent Julian.
"I don’t want to escape," she replied after thinking wildly.
Julian was not shocked by her statent because he’d already predicted that would be her answer.
"I like this place," she continued to lie, hoping Julian believed her and left her alone. She believed he would report their conversations to Samantha so she chose her words carefully. "I don’t want to escape anymore."
"You probably think this is a trap," Julian muttered, rubbing the back of his head as he searched for the right words to earn her trust. Anastasia didn’t respond, her eyes narrowing with suspicion.
"Well, it’s not," he continued firmly. "I want you to get out of here, and I’m not telling anyone—neither should you. Here, take this."
Julian reached into his pocket and pulled out a small, nondescript phone. "This is a burner phone. You’re going to keep it with you at all tis. Whenever I call, head to the nearest restroom and pick up—the bathrooms are the only place without caras."
Anastasia stared at the phone in his outstretched hand, her hesitation palpable. She didn’t trust him, but the faint glimr of hope flickered in her eyes.
Anastasia only understood his last few words because even though she’d been there for only a few days, she was already aware there were no caras in the restrooms.
Atleast they cared about not recording their private mont in the restroom.
She stared at the phone that was in his hands, her thoughts completely disoriented before looking up to him.
"And why would you want to help escape?" Anastasia’s voice trembled, but her words carried weight. Her sharp gaze locked onto Julian. "You’re involved in this illegal business. You’re Xander’s friend, so why are you helping find freedom from here?"
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