Under the Heiress' Facade
Chapter 253

Joseph noticed Hera's captivating smile, and his grin took on a more sinister edge.

It had been a while since he'd been with a woman, and now that he had this innocent young woman in his grasp, he intended to make his move while Eric and the others were occupied with dinner.

Joseph swallowed hard and casually pushed the plate aside. As he edged closer to Hera, his hands fidgeted nervously.

"My babe, let me help you with those ropes..."

As he unsuspectingly crouched down, Hera seized the moment. Her gaze turned icy, and in one swift motion, she grabbed his neck.

Joseph was caught off guard. He wondered when she had freed herself.

"Y-you..."

Before he could utter another word, Hera's grip tightened around his neck. Her fingers pressed into his acupuncture points, sending a sharp pain through his throat that silenced him.

In the next instant, Hera's other hand reached for a wooden stick hidden behind her. She struck him hard on the back of his head as retribution for the previous night's attack.

Joseph's eyes widened in disbelief. Within seconds, his struggling hands fell limp, and his eyes closed.

After putting him down, Hera checked his pulse, confirming he was still alive. She quickly took the rope to bind his hands and feet, then quietly cracked open the door to survey outside.

Hera was held captive in an old mountain cabin. It was deserted, with faint sounds of conversation and clinking dishes drifting from the main house where everyone was gathered for dinner.

Across from the woodshed, an old SUV was parked under a tree. Hera would have to walk past the main house to reach it and risk being spotted.

Glancing up at the overcast sky, she struggled to determine her bearings. Deciding to leave the area first, she slipped out and closed the woodshed door behind her.

Hera slowly circled around to the back of the woodshed. Suddenly, she froze.

Awas tied to a tree behind While gnawing on a b

it

its head at the sound. of her

s.

For a few seconds, their eyes locked. Then, the wolfdog erupted into a frenzy of barking.

Back in the main house, Eric paused over his meal to listen to the commotion.

"Why's that wolfdog going nuts? Brian, go check it out."

Ever since Isabella and Madison ran off, Eric had kept an oversized wolfdog for security.

Brian promptly set down his cutlery and went outside.

Just as he reached the door, Eric added, "And check out why Joseph hasn't returned yet."

Brian grumbled as he headed out.

Moments later, his voice carried from outside, "Eric, this is bad! Joseph's tied up, and the girl's gone!"

"Go after her!"

Eric abandoned his meal, grabbed a weapon, and dashed out to search for Hera.

Winter in Southburrow was nothing

like Norburgh's evergreen foliagez and rugged, untamed terrain. Running through these bumpy woods could easily lead to getting lost or injured.

However, Hera had grown up in the mountains and knew the primal forest like the back of her hand.

She quickened her pace, aware of the wolfdog and the SUV trailing behind her.

"Stop right there! You better fucking stop, or I'll shoot!"

Eric leaned out from the passenger seat and aimed a long gun at Hera, though the bumpy ride made aiming

difficult. o