Leo gripped the steering wheel tightly, his mind completely stressed by the constant thoughts of Elsa.
The urgent words of his manager and the family lawyer echoed in his ears, delivering the shocking news from earlier.
"Mr. Easton, your cousin, was arrested on some severe criminal charges."
"He has also escaped from jail."
Leo spoke to himself aloud as he navigated the dark streets in his car.
"What should I do?"
"My family and my father, Richard, are already stressed out because of my sudden marriage plans."
"This Easton has always been a massive headache to our family."
"My father was already so angry at Easton for his illegal gambling businesses and his terrible behavior."
"I have kept many truths hidden from my father related to Easton since our college days."
Easton's past mistakes and sins flashed through Leo's mind in a rapid succession.
He remembered Easton planning to harass a helpless girl whom Leo had stepped in to save.
Leo recalled that innocent girl, whose face he had never actually seen clearly in the shadows.
He remembered her distinct perfume, a lingering scent of lavender and rose.
He remembered his dance on the stage with that innocent girl, recalling how she fell directly into his arms.
He could still see her innocent eyes staring up at him.
Leo slammed on his brakes, stopping his car suddenly in the middle of the road.
A small, grim smile touched his lips before his face hardened into a serious expression.
"I forgave you every single time, Easton, only because you are my cousin and my aunt's son."
"I have already warned you a lot of times and stopped all your evil plans before."
"I even threatened you that if you committed another sin or mistake, or troubled someone else, I would not spare you."
"I told you that if you brought a stain on our family reputation, I would make sure you received a severe punishment."
"I am coming for you, Easton, and I am not going to spare you if you are proven to be a criminal again."
Leo prepared to drive again, his mind shifting back to the serious worry he felt for Elsa.
Suddenly, a speeding car skidded violently across the asphalt, sliding directly into the path of his vehicle.
The heavy impact crushed the metal, causing Leo to meet with a horrific accident.
Leo's car began to ignite, dangerous flames rapidly spreading across the crumpled hood.
Realizing his vehicle was trapped on the edge of a high bridge, Leo forced his door open.
He threw his body over the railing and jumped into the rushing river below just as the car blasted into a fireball.
A figure stood near the edge of the bridge, watching the explosion with deep frustration.
The man was wearing a black hoodie, his face completely covered, with visible injuries and bandages on his head and hands.
The man hissed in raw anger into the night air.
"You cannot escape from me!"
"I will get my revenge!"
Miles away, the drifting spirit of Leah suddenly felt a wave of intense distress hit her soul.
A terrifying illusion and vision flashed vividly in her mind.
She saw Leo trapped in a burning wreck, surrounded by a fatal fire accident.
Leah shouted out in her imagination, her voice filled with panic.
"LEO!"
She began to weep bitterly, the image of his danger tearing her apart inside.
"I will never let anything bad happen to Leo," she vowed to herself.
"He must live his life."
Leah cried heavily, covering her mouth with her trembling hands to muffle her sobs.
She silently whispered his name into the void.
"Leo..."
Her strength failed her, and she broke down entirely, falling onto her knees on the cold ground.
Deep in the cold water, Leo fought against the current, swimming hard toward the riverbank to save his own life.
From the top of the bridge, the mystery killer watched the dark water below, his phone vibrating in his pocket.
He answered the call, his expression twisting into deeper frustration as he listened to the voice on the line.