Reclaiming Her Heart
Chapter 545 A Heart's Flutter for Raymond

The atmosphere was thick with confusion. The adrenaline-fueled pounding of Selena's heart, a result of the chase, could easily be misconstrued as a burgeoning affection for Raymond. She closed her eyes, taking a moment to steady her emotions before gripping the gun she had assembled.

With a swift pull of the trigger, she shot at the trailing car. The vehicle swerved erratically on the highway, a shower of sparks trailing in its wake.

Raymond turned to her, an eyebrow raised in surprise. "You're a good shot. How long have you been practicing?" he asked.

Selena blinked, her reply simple, "Just a year."

Only a year, yet she had honed her skills to such a level?

Intrigued, Raymond took her hand, his fingers tracing the soft, uncalloused skin. It seemed she was telling the truth; she had only practiced for a year. Calluses were a telltale sign of frequent gun use, yet her hands were devoid of them. He was about to voice his thoughts when a loud noise interrupted him. The car swerved sharply, passing through a wall of fire.

"John, what's happening?" Raymond called out to his driver.

John's palms were slick with sweat, his face etched with seriousness. "Mr. Montague, we're being pursued from both directions," he reported.

Raymond frowned, his gaze falling on the fleet of cars closing in on them. He pulled Selena into his arms, his other hand dialing Paul's number. After ending the call, he reassured her, "Don't worry, we'll be fine."

Selena wasn't worried, she was curious. Who were these people chasing them? Raymond must have faced countless pursuits to have reached his current status. But ever since the burglary in her room, she had felt an unsettling sensation of being watched. A woman's intuition was often accurate.

The car jolted again, and she instinctively clung to Raymond. His eyelashes fluttered as he gently patted her back, a comforting gesture amidst the chaos.

John, as Raymond's chief assistant, skillfully maneuvered the car, pushing it to its limits to escape the relentless pursuit. However, it soon became clear that they were being chased by two distinct forces. The methods of the two groups were noticeably different, hinting at an underlying friction between them.

"John, take the cliff road," Raymond instructed. He had visited New York before and knew of a nearby cliff road notorious for its danger. It was barely wide enough for a single car, with a sheer drop on one side.

Upon hearing Raymond's command, John veered onto the side road. The pursuing cars continued their chase, their top-notch equipment making them formidable opponents.

The road was rough, each bump jarring Selena's insides.

Raymond's phone rang, Paul's voice on the other end promising his arrival in five minutes. He had dispatched dozens of helicopters, one of which he was personally aboard. His gaze was focused, his determination unwavering. The car navigated seven or eight turns on the treacherous road, and just as they were about to round the last big bend, their tires were shot out. The car lurched violently, John's face growing graver. "Mr. Montague, we need to abandon the car; there are more people ahead," he warned.

Raymond glanced at his watch, a plan forming in his mind. "Hold on. There's a steep slope two miles ahead. We can coast down without needing to accelerate. We'll jump off there," he decided. John nodded in agreement, the two men quickly finalizing their plan.

Raymond took a gun, loaded it, and then held Selena close. "Remember to protect your hand later, Selena. I won't let you be in danger," he promised. Selena found herself at a loss for words.

As the car began its descent, Raymond opened the door and signaled to John. "Jump!" he ordered. The slope was long, its end hidden from view. The dense vegetation provided cover, obscuring their escape from their pursuers. Selena was held tight as they leaped from the moving vehicle. She had braced herself for the worst, certain that she would break a bone at the very least. But Raymond's grip remained firm throughout their fall, the only sensations being the rush of the wind and the jarring impact.

The world spun around her, a disorienting whirl of colors and sounds. She didn't know how long it lasted until they finally came to a halt. She collided with Raymond's chest, his back absorbing most of the impact against a sharp rock. He almost spat out blood, his vision swimming.

"Raymond?" Selena called out, but there was no response.