Side Chick Era Over (Sharon and Carter) novel Chapter 542

Chapter 542

Sharon cast Carter a quiet glance, then lowered her eyes. Without a word, she climbed into the Jeep.

Simon had secured a massive Jeep. Its trunk was packed with nineteen full-sized suitcases stacked like bricks. The space inside

was generous.

Just as Sharon reached for the ignition, Thomas, who hadn’t spoken at all until now, suddenly called out, “Sharon.”

She turned to him.

He smiled faintly. “Take care.”

Sharon gave a small nod. Without hesitation, she started the engine.

Carter, Julliard, and Thomas stood motionless, watching her drive away. In the rearview mirror, their silhouettes shrank smaller and smaller until they vanished altogether.

Sharon slid a hand into her pocket. Her fingers brushed something solid. Her pupils contracted slightly.

A handgun. 1

Her heartbeat steadied as her fingers curled around it briefly. Then, calmly, she faced forward and drove toward the designated

location. 1

Roughly twenty minutes later, she arrived at a remote, overgrown stretch of the outskirts.

Ahead stood an abandoned factory. Thick vegetation wrapped the area, terrain dense and uneven-perfect for hiding people, almost impossible for a clean pursuit.

Whoever this kidnapper was, they weren’t just bold. They were clever.

The moment she cut the engine, her phone buzzed to life.

“Get out. Now. Leave the key in the ignition. I’ll send someone to check the money. If it’s real, we’ll talk about letting them go.”

Sharon glanced into the backseat, toward the rows of suitcases. “Fine. But I need proof they’re still alive.”

The response came without delay. “Walk into the factory. Someone will take you to them.”

Her hand brushed against the pocketed gun again. The touch was enough to anchor her nerves. .1

“Alright.”

She stepped out and made her way toward the building.

She knew Carter’s people were trailing just behind, staying out of sight. The Jeep, no doubt, was already tagged with a tracker.

The factory door stood slightly ajar.

She pushed it open. The hinges groaned with a heavy, rusted protest.

Inside, several broad-shouldered men stood guarding another room. Clearly expecting her, they didn’t react when she entered. No surprise, no questions.

Sharon approached. “I’m here for them.”

One of the men stepped aside, allowing her through without a word.

She was taken aback by how easy that was. Too easy. Was the trap waiting behind the door?

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She tensed slightly, but walked in.

Inside, Kelly and Theo were both tied to chairs.

Sharon scanned the space. Nothing immediately seemed out of place.

When Theo saw her, his face lit up.

“Mommy!”

Sharon rushed to his side, pulled out the small knife she had tucked away, and cut through the ropes binding him.

The moment he was free, Theo flung himself into her arms, sobbing uncontrollably.

Sharon held him close, gently patting his back.

“Theo, did they hurt you?”

He shook his head. “No.”

Then, almost hesitantly, his eyes turned to Kelly. There was a flicker of uncertainty in his expression.

“Mom… Kelly…”

He wanted to speak for her, to plead on her behalf. But he hesitated.

He knew his mother didn’t like Kelly. And now, with her risking her life to save him, was this really the right time to bring up something she wouldn’t want to hear?

As he wrestled with the thought, Sharon looked over at Kelly, as if sensing something unspoken.

She looked even worse than she had in the video.

Sharon noticed the deep red welts circling her wrists, the skin broken where the ropes had cut in.

For a violinist, hands mattered more than a face.

Sensing her gaze, Kelly opened her mouth, as though trying to speak. But the words caught somewhere inside her.

Nothing came out.

Slowly, she lowered her head.

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