Emma Johnson stood frozen in the doorway, staring at Liam Williams' icy expression. Her breath caught in her throat.
"How do you know who I am?"
Elijah Clark glared at the man before him, his eyes burning with a ferocity that Emma had never seen before. She kept telling herself this was all an illusion, but the cold wind creeping down her collar kept her painfully awake, refusing to let her deceive herself.
"Before you came back."
Liam's voice was frigid. His eyes held the cold gleam of Arctic ice, then suddenly narrowed.
"I see. I was careless."
The moment his words faded, the warehouse lights went out. Emma gasped. Panic flooded her mind. Before she could react, a hand clamped over her mouth from behind. A foot kicked open the side door. When the lights flickered back on, Emma was already dragged inside, held captive by the massive man behind her.
"Liam Williams, this is your wife. If you don't release my two brothers right now, I swear I'll take her life this instant."
The man's voice boomed through the warehouse like a gong. Liam's eyes tightened as he stared at Emma, now standing before him. Darkness swirled in his gaze like a bottomless pool. But he didn't respond immediately. No one could guess what was running through his mind.
"Scar, who told you to bring her? Let Emma go now."
Elijah's eyes burned with desperation as he looked at Emma. Seeing her wide eyes filled with confusion and terror made his chest tighten. He moved forward to free her, but a hand grabbed him firmly.
Adrian Frost, though surprised by this turn of events, knew Scar's method was their only option now. It was a pity they couldn't take Emma away quietly, but their priority was escaping this place alive.
"You won't die. No matter what Liam does, he won't let you die. With her as our shield, we'll get out smoother."
Adrian whispered into Elijah's ear.
"Even if I lose my life today, I won't put Emma in danger. Let me go."
Elijah struggled against Adrian's grip. Adrian sighed helplessly, then signaled to the men behind him. They understood instantly. The next moment, Elijah felt a sharp pain in his shoulder and collapsed unconscious. Scar immediately dragged Emma toward Adrian.
"Mr. Williams, this is your wife. If you want her safe, let us leave now. Otherwise, bullets have no conscience. Don't blame us for being ruthless."
Scar's lips twisted into an evil grin, his eyes cold. The gun pressed firmly against Emma's temple.
For the first time, Emma felt death so close. Yet from the corner of her eye, she couldn't help glancing at Liam. Her gaze was complicated, a mixture of emotions impossible to untangle.
Accepting that Elijah, always so gentle and refined, was actually a criminal—that was too much to digest so quickly.
"Oh? Then go ahead and shoot."
Liam's tone was as light as wind and clouds, as if he didn't care at all. Emma felt a heavy hammer strike her chest. The shattered pieces could barely be pieced back together. But not a single tear fell.
Even now, the pain had reached its peak.
Her lips turned pale instantly. Her eyes looked at Liam with agony. But he wasn't looking at her. A charming curve played at the corner of his mouth, his lips red as blood.
Adrian seemed surprised by Liam's reaction. He paused for a moment, then suddenly smiled enchantingly.
"How much does Mr. Williams love his wife? It seems the media misled me. Emma Johnson, you really have a good husband. Far better than still worrying about your safety at a life-or-death moment. And what could be deeper than childhood love?"
Adrian's sarcastic words stabbed into Emma like a dull awl. Her curled lashes trembled twice, then fell. Her drooping eyes were filled with despair and pain. She never knew a single word from Liam could hurt her so deeply.
So no matter how much he seemed to care, how gentle he was—it was all just an illusion. In his heart, she meant nothing.
Emma, deeply wounded, didn't see Liam's hand gripping the gun, his knuckles white.
He kept telling himself this was just a game Emma and the others were playing. She only wanted to help Elijah escape. He couldn't waver.
Emma lifted her head and looked at Liam's expressionless face. She felt his ruthlessness. A bitter smile touched her lips.
"This place has been surrounded for a long time. You can't get out."
Alexander Wilson grew worried seeing Liam refuse to give the order to shoot. He always believed Emma and Elijah were partners, so he dismissed the threat.
Was such a smart man, the Colonel, still being fooled by this woman Emma at this moment?
As Alexander's words fell, Scar's eyes turned cold and fierce. He signaled to his men. Everyone aimed their guns at the opposite side.
At that critical moment, smoke bombs rolled in from nowhere. Everyone's vision was blocked. When the smoke slowly cleared, they found Adrian had vanished.
"After them."
Liam's eyes blazed with regret. If only he had decided sooner, none of this would have happened.
Emma was dragged into the alley ahead. Two cars waited by the curb. Adrian tried to pull her into the vehicle, but she struggled. There was no way she was leaving with these people.
"Let me go. I'm not going with you."
Emma fought hard, stomping on Scar's foot.
"Let her go."
Adrian ordered Scar.
"But boss—"
"Do I need to repeat myself?"