A sharp pain shot through An Jiu’s head. Her anxiety grew. She worried even more about Alexander’s safety. Had he gone to see Nathan Cole with his own money? What did Nathan mean when he said he wanted more than just money? Did he want Alexander’s life? Was he not satisfied with the cash? Or did he only feel satisfied if Alexander died? The thought made An Jiu break out in a cold sweat. Her stomach twisted in knots. Still, she forced herself to endure the pain. She had to keep listening to the conversation on the other end of the line.
Nathan said that if Alexander didn’t do as he was told, he would slash Grace O’Sullivan’s face first. Then he would torture her slowly until she died. Alexander replied, so it seemed he really couldn’t escape. Nathan laughed and said it was fine. At least he’d have a beautiful woman to bury with him. Besides, she was his beloved woman. That made it worth it.
Alexander said, “You just want my life?” He told Nathan to let Grace go. He would let Nathan do whatever he wanted. Nathan laughed even more wildly. “Alexander, if you’re willing to die for this woman, aren’t you afraid your wife will be heartbroken when she finds out?” Alexander didn’t answer. Nathan looked down at Grace and continued. “I think I’ll choose the one in front of me. After all, no matter how sweet or lovely the one at home is, she can’t compare to the beauty standing right here. But to be honest, it’s better for lovers to pick this one. The one at home is more suitable for a wife.” Alexander replied lightly, “Of course not. I just want you to feel the pain of losing the woman you love most.” Nathan laughed again. “Brother-in-law, I didn’t expect you to love my third sister so much.” Alexander sneered. “Who said I love her? I want to cut her into pieces. If she hadn’t separated me and my girlfriend, my girlfriend wouldn’t have killed herself. All of this is her fault. She has to pay with her life. Unfortunately, God is blind. She only got a life sentence. That’s too cheap for her.” Nathan’s voice turned hysterical.
Alexander frowned. He hadn’t expected his third sister to pay such a high price. In the end, this was all she got. If she knew the result, would she still have loved this man? Would she have given him everything?
Nathan smiled and said, “Now I just need to press this remote. This woman will go boom and turn to dust. From now on, you’ll have to go to hell to meet your beloved woman.” Alexander replied coldly, “Brother-in-law, you’ve got the wrong person. I broke up with this woman years ago. Don’t you know that?” Nathan smiled again. “You mean this woman has nothing to do with you anymore? You came all this way, not for her, but just to give me money?” Alexander said, “You could say that. There’s no need to drag innocent people into our grudge.” Nathan said, “Since she’s irrelevant, it doesn’t matter whether she lives or dies.” He squatted down and pressed a sharp dagger against Grace’s cheek. Grace couldn’t speak now. Her big eyes stared directly at Alexander. They were filled with sorrow, despair, and fear.
“Nathan—” Alexander stopped him. Nathan pulled the dagger back and looked at Alexander with a smile. “Didn’t you say she has nothing to do with you? Since she’s irrelevant, why do you care so much?” Alexander said, “Nathan, let’s not beat around the bush. What conditions do you have? Let’s settle everything at once.” Nathan said, “Alexander, you know me. I don’t have any other demands. There’s only one condition. It’s very simple. As long as you promise to divorce your wife and marry this woman, I’ll let her go.” Alexander frowned. “Nathan, this joke isn’t funny.” Nathan said, “Isn’t it funny? Don’t you think that if you have a lover, you should marry her? And you shouldn’t be threatened or seduced by the outside world. If it weren’t for that dead old woman meddling in the family, your children would be old enough to make soy sauce by now.” Alexander said, “Nathan, what good would it do if I promised you? You know very well I can’t keep this agreement.” Nathan said, “I know. Even if it’s a blank check, I still want to know. In your heart, which is more important? Your wife at home or your first love?” He looked at Grace and smiled. Grace didn’t dare meet Nathan’s eyes. She felt like he was looking at someone else through her. It was creepy.
Alexander said, “I won’t divorce my wife.” Then he turned to Grace and continued. “I won’t give you unrealistic promises. Even if they don’t have to be fulfilled. I love my wife very much. Even if she’s not with me right now, I don’t want to do anything that would chill her heart. No matter who threatens me, I won’t divorce her.”
Nathan burst out laughing. He picked up the phone and said, “An Jiu, did you hear Alexander’s deepest confession to you? It’s a pity that even though he said that, in reality, he ran to save his lover without caring about the danger. Do you think he’s a hypocrite? He says one thing but does another.”
Alexander’s face darkened. He dodged to the side. “Don’t move!” Nathan suddenly noticed Alexander’s movement. “You think I don’t know you’ve called the police? There are cops and snipers outside. Even if I get the money, I can’t escape. To be honest with you, I never planned to take the money and leave. I never planned to walk out of here alive. I’m not like that woman, Scarlett. She’s insatiable. She always wants more money. But if she weren’t greedy, I couldn’t have put her in jail. From that perspective, I’m very grateful for her greed. I’ve been waiting all these years. I just want revenge. Revenge, you understand? Blood debt! Ha ha!”
After that, Nathan stood up. He exposed himself to the sniper’s sight. A bang rang out. Grace screamed. Then there was silence. The silence of death. A faint smell of blood filled the air.
The next second, Alexander suddenly thought of something. He bent down and grabbed Nathan’s phone. The call was disconnected. He had no time to think. He turned around and ran out. “Alexander—” Grace called out. But she only saw his hurried back.
Alexander called An Jiu on the way back. No one answered. He had to call Sterling Manor instead. Lily Thompson answered. Lily said the young lady was upstairs. Alexander told her not to hang up. He asked her to go upstairs and check on the young lady first. Lily went upstairs with the cordless phone. She knocked on the bedroom door. No one responded. She pushed the door open. Then she saw the scene in the bedroom. She screamed.