Leo Carter's lips curled into a sneer.
He deliberately took two steps back, concealing himself in the shadows of the wall.
Two daggers flew from his hands, landing precisely at the feet of Liam Winston and Ethan Sullivan.
"Nothing pleases me more than watching people like you suffer."
He licked his chapped lips, madness flickering in his eyes.
"Care about them so much? Prove it. Stab yourselves in the leg—let me see your sincerity."
Leo suddenly stepped forward, pressing the sharp blade against the ropes.
The fibers made a faint, ominous creak.
Sophia Sullivan let out a terrified scream, her body trembling violently.
"Liam! Save me!"
Her desperate cry only fueled Leo's excitement.
"Shut up! One more sound and you'll be the first to go over!"
He swept his triumphant gaze over the two men.
The thrill of having these highborn elites at his mercy sent his blood racing.
Liam's eyes locked onto the dagger on the floor. "Name your price—I'll pay anything!"
Yet his gaze involuntarily flickered toward Sophia.
The woman remained eerily silent, her composure unsettling.
He loved Chloe—but when faced with driving a blade into his own flesh, hesitation crept in.
Leo caught his wavering instantly and let out a piercing laugh.
"So the great Liam Winston fears death? I'll count to three. No choice means they become deep-fried ghosts!"
The blade began sawing through the rope.
Ethan spoke suddenly. "I'll do it."
He bent to pick up the dagger, his expression dark.
A swift downward thrust.
The blade sank into his thigh, blood immediately welling up.
Beads of sweat formed on Ethan's forehead, yet his face remained impassive.
A fear he hadn't felt in years now clawed at his heart.
His brother's death superimposed over this moment.
He would never allow Sophia to be harmed.
This wound meant nothing.
"Ethan..." Sophia's pupils constricted slightly.
The man in the wheelchair had strands of hair damp with sweat, yet his gaze when it met hers was reassuring.
This sacrifice went far beyond ordinary friendship.
Liam took a deep breath. The vivid red blood stung his eyes.
Chloe's tearful gaze bore into him.
Gritting his teeth, he shut his eyes and plunged the dagger into his own thigh.
Agony lanced through him. He choked back a scream, swallowing the pain.
"Now... will you let them go?"
Chloe's sobs echoed in his ears.
Sophia closed her eyes, focusing.
Leo was unhinged, but not entirely irrational.
His earlier caution proved he hadn't completely lost his self-preservation.
Their stalling tactic had failed.
The only opening left was exploiting his twisted ego.
She lowered her head, letting her voice tremble.
"Leo, I was wrong. For the sake of our childhood, please spare me this once."
She allowed genuine fear to surface as she glanced at the boiling oil.
"That's too horrifying... I'll agree to anything if you let me go."
Leo threw his head back in laughter, face alight with triumph.
"Finally scared, are we?"
Years of humiliation found release in this moment.
The woman who once looked down on him now begged for mercy.
"Too late for regrets! But..."
He glared at her viciously. "I'll save you for last. Plenty of time to play."
"You took my finger—I'll smash your hands to pulp!"
His exhilaration made him drop his guard.
He turned toward the hammer in the corner.
In that instant—
Ethan rose from his wheelchair.
Liam's eyes widened in disbelief.
The cripple... how?