Guarded Departure

Three black SUVs rolled out of the Ashbourne family mansion gates, moving in tight formation.

It hadn’t taken Leona long to prepare for departure. Now, she and Tessa sat in the back seat of the lead vehicle.

Leona wore a casual outfit—a long beige coat, a thin black shirt, and dark jeans. Her hair was half-loose, partially covering her right shoulder, which hadn’t fully healed.

In the front seats,