Ethan Sullivan couldn't tolerate the thought of Sophia Sullivan dying here.
His words carried an unbearable weight in this life-or-death moment. Sophia froze, her breath catching as if his intense gaze had trapped her very soul.
She had always been the protector. No man had ever told her to save herself first.
Ethan's voice was rough and low.
"Whoever is behind this has planned for a long time. They wouldn't send just two assassins. If something happens to me, Ms. Sullivan, please visit Emma when you can. That child is very attached to you."
Sophia was stunned.
This sounded like a last request.
"I don't like sentimental dramas," she said firmly. "Emma's guardian can only be you—"
Before she could finish, Ethan pressed the car key's lock button.
The windows sealed shut with a mechanical click.
"Ms. Sullivan, I already owe you my life once," he murmured, his gaze lowered. "Backup will arrive soon. You shouldn't have been dragged into this kidnapping."
To him, these desperate criminals were capable of mutual destruction at any moment. The only thing he could do was ensure Sophia's survival.
"Ethan!"
Sophia was trapped inside the car.
Through the window, two helicopters roared closer, their propellers whipping up a chaotic wind that set nerves on edge.
Ethan's white dress shirt billowed violently in the gale. His tall frame stood unwavering, an aura of lethal intensity radiating from him, suffocating in its pressure.
"I've looked into your backgrounds. All of you are death-row convicts with nothing to lose."
Ethan locked eyes with the man in the baseball cap.
"Impressive, Mr. Sullivan. Even that information didn't escape you."
The man hadn't expected such a show of force, but he showed no fear. With a cold smirk, he suddenly yanked open his jacket.
"He's wearing a bomb!"
A horrified shout came from the distance.
The man in the cap laughed wildly.
"Ethan Sullivan, we're just hired guns. Don't try anything stupid, or we'll all die by the sea today!"
His actions made Emma, still bound and gagged, turn deathly pale.
Tears rolled down her cheeks in fat drops.
Her lips trembled violently, but no sound escaped.
Ethan's eyes darkened with murderous rage at the sight of his daughter's suffering.
"Stop!"
Emma seemed to be in extreme distress, her entire body shaking in a way that shattered the heart.
Ethan's expression turned icy. "Let Emma go. Not only will I spare your lives, but I'll double your payment. But if she's harmed in any way, I'll make sure you suffer a fate worse than death."
"Worse than death?" The thug sneered.
Suddenly, over a dozen armed men emerged from the shadows, surrounding them completely.
"Let me make this clear—no amount of money will save you today!"
The man in the cap bared his teeth in a vicious grin.
"Worry about yourself, Mr. Sullivan. Put down your gun and kill yourself now, or I'll detonate the bomb!"
A deadly stalemate ensued.
The bomber could trigger mutual destruction at any second. But if Ethan complied, the criminals would surely escape with their hostage by sea.
There was no way out.
"You may be desperate men, but you still want to live."
Ethan's voice was laced with icy mockery.
"Your employer wants you to flee by sea. Aren't you afraid the waves will swallow you whole?"
The thug scowled. "Enough nonsense!"
In a battle of life and death, hesitation meant defeat. Seeing Ethan's refusal to surrender, the man gritted his teeth and fired.
The bullet shot straight toward its target.
"Let's see who survives this!"