Chapter 4

The moment I heard the name Patricia, all sense of reason disappeared.

My mind was flooded with a single, overwhelming thought: 'I could finally survive. I had found her at last.'

The two of them entered the villa.

A moment later, Hunter appeared on the second-floor terrace, entirely focused on a phone call. I didn't hesitate; I quickly slipped into a maternity nanny's uniform and headed for the door, my mind racing. I had to find out who this woman was—the one Hunter valued most. More urgently, I needed to find out who had caused my death twice before.

Footsteps approached from inside.

"Who is it?" a voice called out.

I raised my voice, trying to sound confident. "Mrs. Levine sent me to help stabilize the pregnancy for the young lady!"

"All right, please wait a moment!"

The lock clicked open, and I froze for a moment.

I pressed my nails into my palm to stay calm. Instead of the woman I was expecting, I came face-to-face with Hunter's cold, piercing look. My vision swam. I almost fell then and there.

"What are you doing here?" he demanded, his voice like ice. "Who told you to come?"

A surge of courage hit me. I straightened up, pushed past him, and stepped inside.

"I'm just here to do the job you assigned me," I said, forcing confidence into my voice. "To personally take care of this—"

Before I could finish, I slapped my own mouth hard and quickly corrected myself.

"Miss Patricia," I added quickly. "I came specially to check on her, to make sure the people I assigned are doing their jobs properly."

My voice trembled, and my words barely held together. All the excitement I had felt moments ago vanished into nothing.

He had called her Trish. The person he wanted protected was Patricia.

So why…why did this Patricia have to be her?

The thoughts spun in my mind, and despair almost overpowered me. I wished I could fall apart and cry right then. But reality wasn't about to pause for me.

Hunter's expression turned icy. A sinister smile twisted his lips.

"Lily," he said slowly, his tone darkening. "You've got guts, I'll give you that. You even dare to push me now? I gave you a task. Instead of doing it, you came running here to look for Patricia. Don't tell me this is about reminiscing."

He moved closer with every word, and I backed away, panic surging in my chest.

"N-no, that's not it," I stammered. "I just wanted to check if Patricia's maternity nannies were doing their job properly! I've already sent people to handle the other task. You can ask them if you don't believe me!"

I grabbed my phone to show proof, but with one quick move, he knocked it out of my hand.

"You only get one chance," he said coldly. "And you've already used it."

"Lily, you're testing my patience." His voice dropped even lower, his words laced with warning. "You're still lying to me, even now."

He gestured to his men. "Take her downstairs. Let her see the surprise I've prepared for her."

I was dragged downstairs to the basement. A large screen flickered to life, showing a video.

My heart stopped.

My parents were suspended above a ship's deck, bound and helpless. Their faces were wracked with fear as they faced the very real threat of death.

"Lily, save us!" my mother sobbed. "Your father and I don't want to die! Please, come save us!"

Below them, the dark sea churned fiercely, shadows of sharks circling beneath the surface, their eyes locked on their prey, waiting for the strike. Hunter gently raised his hand.

I lost control.

Without thinking, I rushed forward.

"No! Don't!" I screamed. "I really did it! I've already started the work you gave me! Please, don't hurt them!" I was nearly hysterical. "If you don't believe me, ask anyone! I'll stake my life on it! That person—she will absolutely be safe!"

Hunter studied my bloodshot eyes, recognizing the desperation and certainty on my face.

Finally, he reluctantly believed me. He knew I wouldn't risk my life lightly because the one thing I cared about most in this world was my miserable existence.

He took out his phone to contact the gang. Upon hearing confirmation that I had indeed reallocated many men and spent a fortune hiring ten maternity nannies, his expression softened just a little.

"Your parents will be home safely tonight," he said, his voice a little more relaxed.

Then, his gaze hardened again. "Lily, you know my methods. If anything happens to her, the one who dies won't just be you."