The vehicle jolted violently over the uneven terrain.

Inside, Elise and Patrick remained completely silent, their attention entirely consumed by the perilous situation.

Elise peered through the window into the oppressive darkness, unable to discern their location.

They appeared to be heading toward some remote area. She couldn't tell if they were navigating mountain roads or paths near a small town.

Nothing but emptiness stretched along both sides of the road. Yet the driver maintained their frantic pace, unable to slow down.

Their pursuers showed no signs of relenting. Any decrease in speed would result in a catastrophic collision, shattering their vehicle and everyone inside.

The atmosphere inside the car grew thick with tension, nearly suffocating in its intensity.

Their only hope rested on timely rescue.

Otherwise...

Suddenly, Elise's expression darkened.

Patrick and the driver mirrored her grim realization.

A massive semi-truck materialized from nowhere ahead, its blinding high beams aimed directly at them.

The driver instinctively shut his eyes against the searing brightness.

He swerved the car sharply, crashing into the nearby guardrail.

The semi roared past, missing them by mere inches.

But danger still pursued them relentlessly. The chasing vehicles closed in rapidly.

The driver quickly restarted the engine, attempting to reverse away from the guardrail.

BAM!

A violent impact from behind threw them forward.

Elise's hand clenched the grab handle tightly.

The seatbelt dug painfully into her chest, constricting her breathing. Another car slammed into their rear.

Three vehicles took turns ramming them, systematically destroying the back of their car.

Continued impacts would reduce them to pulp.

"Accelerate!" Patrick commanded the driver with fierce determination.

The driver stared in disbelief. "But sir, it's a steep slope! We don't know how far it drops! The fall could kill us!"

"We're dead either way if they keep hitting us!"

Gritting his teeth, the driver remembered his orders.

He stomped on the accelerator. Elise watched the speedometer needle climb dangerously.

As their car shattered through the guardrail and plunged down the slope, Patrick spoke gravely near her ear. "Our survival now rests with fate."

Fate?

Indeed, it seemed that way.

Their vehicle tumbled violently down the sharp incline. Elise felt her body shaking uncontrollably, as if it might disintegrate.

Glass fragments flew everywhere. The car continued its seemingly endless descent.

Above them, the three pursuing vehicles stopped on the road. Their occupants emerged to watch the black Rolls-Royce disappear down the mountainside.

They hadn't anticipated their targets would choose to drive down the slope. Given the considerable height, survival seemed impossible.

One man pulled out his phone to report the situation.

James remained at the vibrant charity gala, where festivities continued uninterrupted. A smile spread across his face as he received the call.

He leaned toward William to deliver the news.

The elderly gentleman had maintained a benign smile throughout the evening. Upon hearing the report, his smile widened almost imperceptibly.