Chapter 9 She woke again to biting wind scraping her face . Shirley's eyes flew open - she was dangling over a cliff edge . Coarse ropes bit into her wrists above a bottomless abyss . Twisting painfully , she saw Patricia suspended nearby , trembling with ghostly pallor . " Awake ? " The kidnapper took a drag of his cigarette , smirking . " Relax . Your men will be here soon . " The roar of an engine cut through the wind as he spoke . Several black SUVS sped toward the cliff edge and screeched to a halt . Timothy strode out as doors flung open . Dressed in a black trench coat , his cold and stern expression made the air around him feel heavy . " Take the money . Release her . " His low voice carried undeniable command . The kidnapper grinned . " Straightforward as always , Mr. Mitchell . " After verifying the cash in the briefcase handed by a bodyguard , he waved dismissively . 0.00 % eC12 00:29 Chapter 9 11 288 ¡ Vouchers " You get the girl . We'll trouble you to rescue her yourself . " He left with his crew without looking back . Shirley dangled mid - air , the fraying rope sending pebbles tumbling down the cliff . She clenched her jaw , forcing calm . " Timothy ! I'm terrified ! " Patricia cried , tears streaming down her face . " Save me … " Bodyguards urgently inspected the ropes , their expressions turning grim . " Mr. Mitchell , the rope won't hold much longer . We can only save one person right now . " Without a second's hesitation , Timothy walked straight toward Patricia . Just then , Mr. and Mrs. Campbell's car screeched to a halt . They gasped at the cliffside scene . " Patricia ! " " Save Patricia first ! Now ! She's too frail for this ! " Mrs. Campbell's voice cracked with strain . Mr. Campbell rushed to help . Together , the three hauled Patricia to safety . But the rope near Shirley groaned under tension- Snap ! She plummeted downward , rocks tumbling past her into the bottomless 20.81 % ONG 00:29 Chapter 9 1288 Vouchers darkness ! " Madam ! " The bodyguard lunged forward , gripping the rope with desperate force . Coarse fibers bit into his palms as blood dripped between his fingers , hauling her up at last . Shirley collapsed on the ground , wrists raw and bleeding . She lifted her gaze- Timothy was cradling Patricia in his arms , his thumb gently brushing tears from her cheek , his voice soft enough to melt . " Don't be afraid . I'm here . " Mr. Campbell hurried to drape his coat over his adopted daughter while Mrs. Campbell cupped the girl's face . " My darling , you scared me half to death … " How bitterly ironic ! Her own husband , her own parents - even strangers showed more concern than they did . The entourage shielded Patricia toward the car , nobody sparing a glance to see whether she lived or died . " Ma'am … " the bodyguard spoke hesitantly , " Are you alright ? " Shirley slowly stood up , dusting off her clothes , then suddenly smiled . " Thank you for saving me . " 43 86 % IN 00:29 Chapter 9 288 iVouchers She said softly , " Could you do me one more favor ? " She pulled out prepared documents from her bag - divorce papers and cut all ties with family - handing them to the bodyguard . " Deliver these gifts to my parents and Timothy . " The bodyguard didn't examine them closely or ask questions , just nodded as he accepted . " Of course , I'll take them over now . Shirley remained standing , watching the bodyguard approach Timothy . Timothy didn't even look up , his voice icy . " Gifts from her ? At a time like this ? Toss them in the car . " Mr. and Mrs. Campbell paid no attention either , focused solely on comforting Patricia . " You must be scared , darling ? Mom will take you home … " The bodyguard had no choice but to shove the documents into the car . Shirley watched the scene and suddenly laughed , her eyes growing teary . It didn't matter . They'd see it someday . She turned and walked toward the highway without looking back , hailing a taxi . " To the airport , please . " The door slammed shut , the engine roared to life . 66.71 % # 00 11 00 29 Chapter 9 288 Vouchers In the rearview mirror , Tim held Patricia as they got into their car , her parents following close behind . Not one glanced her way . Shirley averted her gaze , watching the blurring scenery outside before softly closing her eyes . It didn't matter . From now on , these people wouldn't be part of her life . The taxi accelerated , carrying her toward a brand - new beginning . 91.07 %