Chapter 253
“Sophia,” David growled into my ear, “what’s it going to be–your money or your life?”
The cold blade pressed against my throat sent shivers down my spine. I could feel its sharp edge breaking the surface of my skin, threatening to slice deeper at any moment.
Last night when Nancy had called Scarlett, she’d simply instructed her to create a scene–post videos online, publicly humiliate Sophia, make her a target of public scorn. The plan was limited to this: destroying Sophia’s reputation.
But David clearly had other ideas. For him, the fifty thousand dollars they’d received last time had come too easily. The money had disappeared within days, igniting an insatiable greed within him.
The taste of easy money had awakened something dark in his soul.
Since Nancy had mentioned getting money from me, why not aim higher? At least a few hundred thousand. After all, my husband was wealthy, wasn’t he? Henry Harding could spare millions without
blinking an eye.
That’s why, before heading to the hospital with Scarlett, David had deliberately purchased a sharp
knife and concealed it in his waistband.
His plan was simple: if I refused to pay, he’d force my hand with violence.
“You little bitch,” he snarled, his rancid breath hot against my ear. “Call your husband now! If he doesn’t come, I’ll kill you right here!”
He knew perfectly well I didn’t have that kind of money. But Henry did. With Henry present, David believed he could name any price he wanted.
The crowd that had gathered watched in horror as the situation escalated from a family dispute to a life–threatening hostage situation. The shiny blade pressed against my throat had transformed the
entire atmosphere.
“I take back everything I said before,” one man called out. “You’re a good person, miss. It’s these terrible parents who are rotten!”
Another woman shouted, “Put the knife down! There’s no need for violence against a
g woman!”
“Young man, lower your weapon immediately! Is this how you treat your own daughter? This is madness!” Someone else joined in.
“Put down the knife now, or we’re calling the police!” threatened another bystander.
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Despite their vocal protests, not one person dared to step forward,
David was waving the knife erratically, his eyes wild with desperation. No one wanted to risk their own safety.
Scarlett, seeing her husband threaten me with a deadly weapon, paled visibly. This wasn’t part of the plan.
Violence meant police involvement, possibly even prison time.
“For God’s sake, what are you doing still kneeling there?” she snapped at Daniel, grabbing him by the arm. “Get up and stand by your father now!”
She hurriedly positioned herself and Daniel in front of David, acting as his shield.
If snipers were already taking aim from hidden positions, they would have to get past them first.
Despite her hatred for him, Scarlett couldn’t lose another husband.
If David ended up in prison–or worse, dead–she’d be a three–time divorcée. Who would want a woman with two ex–husbands and two children by different fathers?
No, she had to stand by David now!
If they were going down, they’d go down together.
Everything had happened so fast. One moment I was confronting them, the next I felt cold steel against my neck.
I tried to remain calm, knowing panic would only make things worse. If I wanted any chance of surviving this, I needed to keep my wits about me.
Stay calm, Sophia!
The thought of calling Henry seemed futile. Throughout our six–year marriage, he had never once answered my calls when I needed him.
He had consistently disappointed me at every critical moment, and now couldn’t possibly be any different from previous outcomes,
“Uncle David,” I said, trying to keep my voice steady, “you should know Henry never answers my calls. He only picks up for Isabella. If you want him here, we should call her instead. I guarantee he’ll come running the moment Isabella calls.”
Six years of marriage had taught me one crucial lesson: never rely on a man.
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Despite their vocal protests, not one person dared to step forward,
David was waving the knife erratically, his eyes wild with desperation. No one wanted to risk their own safety.
Scarlett, seeing her husband threaten me with a deadly weapon, paled visibly. This wasn’t part of the plan.
Violence meant police involvement, possibly even prison time.
“For God’s sake, what are you doing still kneeling there?” she snapped at Daniel, grabbing him by the arm. “Get up and stand by your father now!”
She hurriedly positioned herself and Daniel in front of David, acting as his shield.
If snipers were already taking aim from hidden positions, they would have to get past them first.
Despite her hatred for him, Scarlett couldn’t lose another husband.
If David ended up in prison–or worse, dead–she’d be a three–time divorcée. Who would want a woman with two ex–husbands and two children by different fathers?
No, she had to stand by David now!
If they were going down, they’d go down together.
Everything had happened so fast. One moment I was confronting them, the next I felt cold steel against my neck.
I tried to remain calm, knowing panic would only make things worse. If I wanted any chance of surviving this, I needed to keep my wits about me.
Stay calm, Sophia!
The thought of calling Henry seemed futile. Throughout our six–year marriage, he had never once answered my calls when I needed him.
He had consistently disappointed me at every critical moment, and now couldn’t possibly be any different from previous outcomes,
“Uncle David,” I said, trying to keep my voice steady, “you should know Henry never answers my calls. He only picks up for Isabella. If you want him here, we should call her instead. I guarant come running the moment Isabella calls.”
Six years of marriage had taught me one crucial lesson: never rely on a man.
e’ll
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No matter what crisis arose, I always faced it alone. My so–called husband was merely decoration serving no practical purpose in my life. In this life–or–death situation, I couldn’t risk betting on tim
David waved the knife, pressing it deeper against my skin. “I don’t care! Call him now, or give me your phone and I’ll call him myself!”
The blade cut into my skin, sending a sharp, stinging pain through my body.
The sudden jolt of pain momentarily clouded my thoughts. With trembling hands, I pulled out my phone and reluctantly dialed Henry’s number.
David stood right behind me, monitoring my every move. To avoid provoking him further, I had no choice but to comply. Still, I harbored no expectations that Henry would answer.
The phone rang once… twice…
My breathing grew increasingly tense.
Would Henry actually pick up?
As I anxiously waited, the call connected, and Henry’s crisp, pleasant voice came through: “Sophia,
what’s going on?”
At that moment, Henry was in William’s hospital room, preparing to discuss Alexander with his grandfather.
After years of treating me terribly, leading to my heartbreak and divorce, he had finally seen through Isabella’s facade. Now, with no more illusions about Isabella, he wanted to repair our marriage. He had planned to ask William to send Alexander away, creating opportunities for reconciliation.
Just as he was about to broach the subject, his phone rang. Seeing my name on the display, his face lit up with unexpected joy.
William, noticing Henry’s reaction and hearing my name, scoffed and turned away. Secretly, though, the old man was delighted.
Finally figured out how precious Sophia is, did you? Too bad she doesn’t want you anymore. Let’s see how you win her back now.
The moment the call connected, the anxious knot in my chest loosened slightly.
Before I could speak, David pressed the speakerphone button and shouted into the phone
Our wife
is in my hands! If you don’t want her to die, prepare four million dollars in cash! Not a penny less!”
Henry’s expression instantly darkened, his earlier smile vanishing without a trace.
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After a brief pause, his voice took on an entirely different tone. “Oh?” he responded coolly. “You say my wife is with you. Could I speak with her, please?”
His voice remained restrained. “If you want money from me, that’s easy. I have plenty. But first, I need to confirm she’s actually with you–this isn’t some kind of prank call.”
Hearing Henry’s willingness to cooperate, David pushed me forward. “Talk to him! Tell him you’re with me! Louder! Tell him to prepare the money!”
David’s voice was so loud that even though I hadn’t spoken yet, Henry could hear everything clearly.
This man who remained unfazed even in the face of financial catastrophe now showed visible signs
of anxiety.
His hand, hanging beside his pants, clenched into a tight fist. His eyes hardened with a frost that could freeze anyone solid.
“Listen carefully,” Henry commanded through the phone, his voice deadly serious. “If Sophia loses even a single hair on her head, you won’t get a single cent from me!”
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