Chapter 135

　　The journey passed by in utter silence as Kent zoomed away from their little town. Celeste watched as the scenery transformed from familiar to foreign, until they reached a road she knew all too well—the very same path where they had returned from their previous kidnapping crime scene.

　　Jeremy whipped out his phone, and Celeste caught a glimpse of him texting Ben. She didn't need to peek at the message to understand that Jeremy was informing Ben to gather up the team and prepared to come here as backup.

　　As Jeremy pocketed his phone, he caught Celeste's gaze and flashed her a comforting smile. Then, he reached out and grasped her hand firmly. It was a small gesture, but it filled Celeste with a renewed sense of strength.

　　Amidst the quiet, Celeste could sense Kent's eyes on her. She raised her head and locked gazes with him through the rearview mirror. In that brief connection, she detected a lingering trace of bitterness in his eyes. But just as quickly, K