Chapter 5: Making a Break for It

It was a call from the hospital.

She wasn’t an MD, not even an ER doctor. A midnight phone call like this? Definitely not for her to save lives.

But then—was it really about saving someone?

No. It felt more like a death sentence, ringing again and again, relentless as a siren. Why?

Could it be…?

A chilling thought flashed through her mind in an instant. Before she even realized what she was doing, she’d already sprung off the bed.

“Moyao! Ruoruo! Wake up, sweethearts! Mommy’s taking you on a trip today—hurry, or we’ll miss the plane!”

She burst into the kids’ room, yanking the covers off two sleepy little bundles still tangled in dreams.

Ruoruo: “Mama…”

Her voice was soft, sleepy, thick with drowsiness. Her big, glossy eyes refused to open—still deep in dreamland.

But when she heard “trip,” Mo Bao shot upright like a spring-loaded toy.

“Trip? Where are we going, Mama? Don’t you have work today?”

“Just a few days off,” she said, scooping Ruoruo out of bed with one swift motion. “We’re going to Japan. I’ve already booked the tickets—wanted to surprise you both. Now come on, hurry!”

As she spoke, she turned her attention to the other child, who was still trying to burrow back under the blanket.

Mo Bao didn’t hesitate anymore. He scrambled off his bed like a tiny ninja.

Twenty minutes later, the three of them were finally packed and out the door.

*Buzz… buzz…*

Right then, her phone vibrated again. She glanced down—Call from friend Zhong Wan.

She answered.

“Hello?”

“Oh my god, Nancy—what the hell is going on at the hospital? Why’s your clinic full of people? It looks like they raided your office! And they’re searching for you—what’s happening? You suddenly called in sick, now the whole place is chaos. Did you piss someone off?”

Zhong Wan’s voice came rushing through the line like a machine gun—fast, furious, and impossible to stop.

Nancy’s face went pale.

“It’s nothing,” she said quickly. “They just want me to treat a patient. I refused. They came to my office to look for files. Don’t worry. Since they’ve already found their way there, you should go back now.”

“Really?”

Zhong Wan sounded skeptical.

But Nancy wasn’t listening anymore. She had no time. No need to explain.

She hung up, then sprinted toward the airport with the kids in tow, heart pounding.

She couldn’t let him find her.

Not only did she never want to see that man again—ever—but for the sake of her children, she’d never allow him to know they existed.

Because if he did…

He’d take them away.

And right now, she didn’t stand a chance against a global empire so powerful it could make nations tremble.

That was why, last night, when she saw *him* at the hospital, she’d rushed home and booked flights immediately. Then she called Zhong Wan to hide her documents—just in case.

But she’d been too late.

That bastard… she never thought he’d move so fast. Showing up at the hospital in the middle of the night?

Didn’t he ever sleep?

For something so small—her?—he’d thrown the entire world into chaos?

Clutching her kids close, Nancy ran like the wind. Thirty minutes later, they reached the airport.

“Mo Bao, stay here with your sister, okay? Mommy’s gonna get our boarding passes.”

“Got it, Mama.”

Mo Bao nodded seriously. He sensed the urgency in her voice, the tightness in her shoulders. He didn’t argue.

Nancy hurried to the self-service kiosk, passport and ticket in hand.

Then—nothing.

The screen blinked red.

*Unable to process.*

What the hell?

She knew she was in a rush. Why was the damn machine fighting her?

She took a breath, stepped over to the human counter.

“Hi, I’d like to check in for flight XX.”

The agent took her documents, scanned them—then looked up.

“Nancy Clear? I’m sorry… you’re currently restricted from leaving the country.”

*Restricted?*

What?

Nancy froze.

“What? Why? What did I do?”

Her voice cracked.

“I’m sorry,” the agent said, unfazed. “I don’t know the reason. All I know is that we received official notice: Dr. Nancy Clear from Clear Hospital is prohibited from exiting the country. If you have questions, you can contact the authorities—or reach out to your hospital.”

Silence.

Then—

*Fuck.*

Ten seconds passed. Ten seconds of pure, white-hot rage.

*Clear Hospital’s Nancy Clear.*

No need to ask.

She knew exactly what this was.

That monster. That piece of garbage. Even here—after all this time—he still had power strong enough to block her from flying?

And worse—how did he even know she was going to Japan?

Nancy’s vision blurred. Her hands trembled. The world swam before her eyes.

She was trapped.

And the worst part?

He hadn’t even left the country yet.