Claire drove her Lamborghini in silence with Carol by her side. The sun was rising, casting an unnatural sheen over the world. Normally she would've enjoyed the spectacle, but it looked all black and white to her right now. Especially since it was almost confirmed her parents had been brutally murdered.
Carol noticed the dried tears on her cheeks and her red eyes. The beauty was trembling at times.
"Hey… Is everything okay?" she asked softly, touching her shoulder.
Claire's lips quivered, and she shook her head slightly. "No… Nothing is okay…"
"I'm sorry," Carol said. "I didn't know my actions would hurt you and make you cry. I swear I thought the element's discovery was good for the company."
Claire bit her lip, trying to hold back tears. "No, my sorrows aren't because of you. You did well, actually."
"Then what is bothering you?" she asked, touching her affectionately. "You can tell me."
The billionaire beauty inhaled painfully. "I think… My parents… May be dead…"
Carol covered her mouth in shock. "What? How?"
"I'm not sure. Probably the same people who contacted you to purchase the mines. It's a terrorist organization called Monolith. They are killing and taking over enterprises all over Springfield."
"Oh, my God! I'm so sorry! This is crazy!"
To date, Carol's most pressing issue was saving herself and her family from predatorial billionaires. She couldn't imagine something of this magnitude could happen to the city.
"No, actually, I must thank you," Claire said. "If you hadn't asked me to come over to Tuscan Hill, I might also be dead."
Carol furrowed her brows and looked visibly concerned. "If all families have been hit… Then…”
"Yeah. It's possible your family is also in danger."
"What do we do? Shall we go to the precinct? Call the Feds? Homeland Security? What's the Mayor doing?"
Claire scoffed. "As if they could help control this bully organization. Nah, Monolith is too powerful to be subdued by the government. There's only one man who can actually protect Springfield."
Carol pursed her lips. She wanted to ask who that man was, but the answer came to her. "Caesar… right?"
The billionaire beauty eyed her friend from the corner of her eye. She knew Victor had helped his ex-wife multiple times over the past year without revealing his identity. "Yes… Caesar. But we need to get to a secure location first."
Carol shook her head. "First, I need to make sure my family is safe. And also Victor."
She immediately placed a call to Victor. Perhaps he could check on her parents and Josh if he was nearby. However, his phone was engaged. She sighed with relief after the call didn't go through. Since Victor was on another call, it meant he was safe.
Next, she called Martha's number. The dial tone rang for a long time. Was her mother still sleeping? She usually woke up early. The call was connected.
"Hello," a strange female voice said from the other end.
"Mom? Who is this?"
"Mom, Dad, and little bro are unavailable," the voice said mockingly. "Can I take a message?"
Carol immediately recognized the voice. "Courtney?"
Courtney Blackwell snickered from the other side. "Bingo!"
"Wh-what are you doing with my mom's phone? Look, billionaires are being slaughtered all over the city. You should escape from here."
Courtney listened to Carol's words and cackled hysterically. "I know, sweetie. Because I killed some of them with my own hands, I never knew I'd enjoy seeing so much blood."
Carol's eyes widened in horror. She knew the Blackwells were evil after her last tragic encounter with Damien. But to know they were working with terrorists was shocking—especially Courtney, who was still so young.
"Please don't hurt my family," Carol begged. "I'll do anything."
"Yeah. Yeah. Let's get to the chase," the Blackwell heiress replied. "Your parents and brother are my hostages right now. Return in the direction of Tuscan Hill and visit the last gas station. Come alone and quickly. I am not a patient woman."
The call disconnected. Carol dropped her phone and looked at Claire with teary eyes.
"What happened?"
"Can you please drop me off here? I'll rent a car and find my own way."
Claire raised her brows. "What are you talking about? We need to meet Val first. She is Caesar's associate, who can protect us and take us to a safe place. It would be stupid to go anywhere by yourself!"
"Please…" Carol begged. "Courtney has my parents and Josh. If I don't go back to Tuscan Hill, she will kill them."
Claire gasped. "Holy shit! That bitch Courtney?! She's collaborated with Monolith, it seems! Dammit! But listen to me… Wouldn't it be better to seek Val's help to rescue your family rather than go in alone?"
Carol shook her head in distress. "If they realize I am not, they will definitely murder the hostages. Courtney can't be reasoned with."
Claire stopped the car, trying to figure out what to do. "I don't know if I should let you do something so suicidal. Caesar specifically asked me to get you to Black Rock. Besides, you're my friend, and I don't want you to do something stupid like this."
Carol took a moment to process the information. So, Caesar regularly spoke with Carol? Then, he must be someone living in Springfield.
Black Rock? Didn't the Boltons own the villa? Was Michael Bolton Caesar? No way. The man she danced with was definitely young. However, it was not the time to figure out Caesar's identity.
"I don't care about my life at all," Carol said, dripping tears onto her sweater. "I know your family is dead, and I wish we could do something about it. But mine is still alive, and even if there is a sliver of a chance to save them, I won't back off. If Courtney wants the Tuscan mines, I will give it to her. If she wants to kill me, then so be it."
Claire exhaled slowly and turned towards Carol. She realized the young woman's mind was already made up, and there was no point in convincing her otherwise. Maybe Victor would hate her for doing it, but she was willing to take the risk.
"Fine! I'll get off from here and have Val pick me up. Take my car and be very, very careful. And… I don't know if it ever meant anything to you. But it was always great having you as a friend."
Carol hugged Claire, with her eyes streaming tears. "Thank you. You've been so good to me. We'll meet again if I survive."