Chapter 255
It was Henry!
He appeared out of nowhere, grabbing Scarlett’s wrist mid–air with perfect timing, his expression cold and intimidating. Though he didn’t say a word, the powerful aura he radiated was enough to make anyone’s heart skip a beat.
This wasn’t the first time Scarlett and I had clashed. Years ago, after I’d grown up, we ran into each other unexpectedly. I asked her a question that had been burning in my mind: “You put David first in everything, leaving yourself with no dignity whatsoever. Is this endless, pathetic pandering to men what marriage means to you?”
My words struck a nerve. She slapped me hard across the face, and from that moment on, I never looked at her the same way again. I couldn’t stand women like her who defined themselves solely through the men in their lives. I believed women should be brave and independent.
Our opposing philosophies made it impossible for us to understand each other, and we parted ways.
Now here she was again, calling me ungrateful while I called her out for being nothing but a man’s
puppet. She was furious that I’d struck her where it hurt most–after all the suffering she’d endured
at David’s hands, my words cut deep.
That’s why she’d raised her hand to slap me again, not knowing Henry was standing right behind
her.
Scarlett had only known Henry was handsome and distinguished–looking, but she hadn’t realized
just how imposing he could be. His presence made people feel inadequate by comparison.
She struggled to pull her hand free from his grip. “Let go of me!” she demanded.
Henry responded with a cold snort and actually did as she asked, releasing her wrist suddenly. Scarlett, unprepared for the release and still exerting force to pull away, lost her balance and fell
backward onto the floor.
She winced repeatedly from the pain, sucking in sharp breaths of air, unable to recover for quite
some time.
David, seeing Henry arrive, didn’t even call for his son to help Scarlett stand up. He actually frowned, as if exasperated by her clumsy, ridiculous behavior.
Worried that Henry might come after him next, he immediately pulled me backward, k knife against my throat.
ng the
“Daniel, get over here!” he barked. “Stand in front of me! Don’t let him get anywhere near us!”
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Daniel was focused on one thing only–getting the money. As long as he got paid, his wedding would be secured. He obediently positioned himself in front of his father, flashing me a repulsive smile.
“Sister, your husband is so wealthy, yet you won’t give your family even a little money. That’s not right!” His smile widened, revealing yellow teeth. “Don’t worry, we just want money, not your life. Your husband is loaded–1 plan to use him as my ATM for years to come!”
Daniel was practically a carbon copy of David–the same pudgy face, greasy complexion, and beady eyes. His appearance was utterly repulsive.
When I was small, Daniel would constantly terrorize me, throwing centipedes, scorpions, and other venomous creatures at my tiny body when I was just two or three years old.
Despite Daniel constantly calling me “sister,” I didn’t spare him a single glance. My eyes were fixed entirely on Henry. For some reason, seeing him there had instantly washed away all my anxiety.
Daniel was desperate for my acknowledgment, but couldn’t even get me to look at him. He lowered his head awkwardly, muttering under his breath as he positioned himself in front of David.
As David dragged me backward, he pressed the knife against my neck with his left hand while his right arm choked me in a tight grip. The backward movement caused his arm to dig into my throat, leaving two angry red marks that looked alarmingly vivid against my skin.
Henry watched with mounting horror, terrified that David might hurt me further. “Don’t move anymore,” he urged, his voice tight with concern. “I promise I won’t come any closer. I’ll stay right here, just please don’t hurt Sophia.”
David, seeing that Henry was being reasonable, realized I was his best bargaining chip. He smiled slightly. “Son–in–law, there’s no need to worry. I’m only after money, not lives.” His grip loosened marginally. “Once you deliver those four million dollars, I’ll release her. Trust me, I wouldn’t dream of killing her. If she dies, how could I ask you for more money?”
Both David and Daniel were grinning broadly, as if they’d already pocketed the four million.
Henry, who had already instructed his company’s finance department to prepare additional funds, replied without missing a beat: “No problem. As long as Sophia isn’t injured, I’ll give you whatever amount you want. But I see she’s already been hurt, so that changes things.”
The powerful aura emanating from Henry made David increasingly nervous. He’d never encountered someone whose mere presence could be so intimidating–a man who didn’t need to do anything but stand there to make others feel uneasy.
David shuffled further behind his son. “It’s just a small cut, barely broke the skin. In ha.. an hour, the wound will have healed itself in the hospital. Nothing to worry about.”
“Son–in–law, let’s not get angry,” he continued, his voice taking on a placating tone. “I admit Sophia’s
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injury is my fault. Tell you what, I’ll knock off fifty thousand dollars for that small cut. For such a minor wound that doesn’t even need medical attention, you’re saving fifty thousand dollars. What a
deal!”
By now, Henry was desperate to ensure I wouldn’t be harmed further. “Mr. Hernandez, let’s make a deal,” he proposed calmly. “Sophia has a weak constitution and suffers from hypoglycemia. I’m afraid she won’t last much longer before fainting. If she passes out before you get your money, wouldn’t that complicate your plans? Let me take her place as your hostage.”
“You can rest assured,” he continued, “my assistant who’s bringing the money follows my orders explicitly.”
Noticing Scarlett trying to get up from the floor, Henry gestured to his security team. They immediately understood, pulling Scarlett to her feet and positioning her behind Henry. “Mr. Hernandez, now I have a hostage too. Perhaps you’d like to consider my suggestion?”
Realizing she’d become a bargaining chip, Scarlett cried out in panic: “David, get me out of here! Tell them to let me go! I don’t want to stay here!”
David pressed the knife harder against my neck. “Send her over! Then I might consider your proposal.”
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