Chapter 974 Bad Guys
“You’ve seen them. Now, what about my end of the deal?” the captor urged, their worry about Catherine’s potential backup increasing the tension.
But Catherine didn’t budge or utter a word, her silence and powerful aura ensuring no one dared to lay a finger on Thomas and Sccot under her watchful eyes.
Time ticked away, and with Catherine still making no move, the captor, driven by impatience, activated the timers on Thomas and Scott’s chests.
“You have five minutes, Catherine. Give me the list, and I’ll let them go,” the captor declared with a smug look, watching Catherine intently.
But Thomas and Scott, far from pleading, seemed prepared to face death rather than compromise Catherine’s safety.
In a dramatic turn, Thomas feigned a seizure, spitting blood, causing immediate chaos among the guards who quickly removed his gag, desperate not to let him die before the list was secured.
Once free to speak, Scott pleaded with urgency, “Release my grandfather! He has a heart condition. Your bomb has terrified him. Without immediate medical attention, he’ll die.”
The guards, thrown into a dilemma, sought instructions from their leader. The captor, scrutinizing Catherine, saw genuine concern behind her icy facade, though doubt lingered.
“But Thomas is a renowned doctor. How could he not know of his own condition?” the captor questioned.
Scott retorted with disdain, “Ever heard ‘He that is fallen cannot help him that is down.’? Plus, do you think being a skilled doctor makes one immortal?”
Despite Scott’s biting comeback, the captor remained unmoved, putting Catherine in a tight spot. “It’s your call, Catherine. Ambulance or watch Thomas die. He’s been nothing but kind to you. Can you really let the Parkers suffer over a list and outsiders?
Catherine demanded, “Give me a laptop.”
The captor, silently gloating over her perceived victory, thought, “Once I have the list, Catherine, the Parkers, and even the child she’s carrying will all be history.”
“Bring her a laptop,” the order was given, and soon Catherine was provided with one.
The captor then warned, “Don’t get clever. We’re watching your every move on this laptop. Try anything, and the Parkers meet their maker.”
Catherine shot her a look of utter disdain. “Save your dumb threats for someone else.”
The captor, mocked and infuriated, was at a loss. Without the list in hand, they couldn’t do much against Catherine.
Catherine’s fingers flew over the keyboard, lines of code scrolling rapidly on the screen. The speed was so fast it left the overseer behind her unable to make out what she was typing.
In no time, Catherine breached the highest security level of the Hacker Alliance’s database and retrieved the concealed list the captor was so desperate to guard.
“Here’s your list. Now let them go,” Catherine firmly stated.
“Deal!” The captor chuckled, thinking the real show was just beginning.
The bombs on Thomas and Scott were quickly defused, and their restraints were removed. They both rushed to Catherine’s side, visibly relieved.
“Are you okay?” Catherine asked, checking on Thomas with genuine concern.
“A bit weak, but we need to move,” Thomas replied, his voice low but filled with resolve.
As they headed towards the exit, the once-open door slammed shut, enveloping them in an ominous atmosphere.
Thomas, gripping Catherine’s hand, urged, “Make sure you’re safe above all. If need be, forget about me or Scott, just protect yourself and the baby.”
Scott, standing by, firmly added, ” Exactly, Catherine. If things go south, focus on your safety. Don’t worry about me.”
Catherine, gripping their hands tightly, reassured them with confidence. ” Relax, I’m getting us out. No one is getting left behind here.”
Their entire exchange was overheard by the captor, who couldn’t help but mockingly laugh. “Really think you can walk out today? No one is leaving, not even the child you’re carrying.”
At this, Thomas’s anxiety peaked. He urged Catherine. “With your skills, you might find a way out of this trap. We’ll only slow you down.”
Ignoring Thomas’s suggestion, Catherine looked up defiantly. “Selene, is that all you’ve got?”
Selene, caught off guard by Catherine, stood frozen for a moment. Despite Catherine’s prowess, Selene believed her victory was assured.
“Goodbye, Catherine.” Selene arrogantly announced, convinced of her imminent victory as she summoned fifty of her best fighters.
Facing the onslaught, Catherine and Scott positioned Thomas safely to one side.
Internally, Scott thought, ‘If I had known about the pregnancy earlier, I’d have rather died than be a liability.’
“I’ll cover you. Find a way out,” Scott said, positioning himself protectively in front of Catherine.
Gently tapping his shoulder, Catherine reassured Scott with a smile. “No rush. We’ll leave together.”
With a mocking tone, Catherine proclaimed to these killers. “Think you can hold me? Not a chance!”
The battle was imminent.
Dozens of skilled fighters surged towards Catherine and Scott, with every intention of taking them down.
Catherine’s pregnancy made her an apparent weak spot. The attackers converged on her, aiming for her belly.
Scott couldn’t contain his fury at this sight, exploding with rage at the assailants. “What kind of men are you, attacking a pregnant woman? Come at me if you dare!”
Yet, their assault continued unabated, showing no regard for Scott’s challenge.
Despite being outnumbered, Catherine was unmatched. She deftly countered their attacks, her face betraying no sign of panic.
Meanwhile, Miller watched from a screen, smugly observing Catherine’s struggle.
She leisurely cleaned her weapon, reflecting on her rigorous training abroad. Like a seasoned hunter who toys with their prey before the kill, Selene was in no rush to finish Catherine. She planned to wait until Catherine was utterly defeated before making her move.
At the press conference, Branden seemed distracted despite his calm exterior. His speech, intended to last three minutes, was rushed and concluded in two.
After Paxton approved, Zobber brought the champagne cart onstage.
Recognizing Zobber, Branden let his guard down.
Zobber, concealing her nervousness, handed Branden a glass of champagne. “Congratulations, Mr. Duncan. This is from Catherine. You have to accept it.”
As Branden took the glass, Zobber’s ring, equipped with a hidden device, scratched him, drawing blood.
After a quick apology from Zobber, Branden brushed it off as nothing.
Zobber then excused herself and immediately informed Black Robe backstage. “I’ve done as you asked. Now it’s time for you to keep your promise.”
Black Robe, who had been monitoring the entire event, nodded in satisfaction. The ring contained a deadly neurotoxin, capable of killing without a trace, not even Thomas could save Branden now.
‘We’ve won this,’ Black Robe thought, assuring Zobber of her reward. “Now, let’s witness the miracle.”
At that moment, the watch on Black Robe’s wrist stopped, and Branden collapsed on stage.
Paxton was the first to rush to Branden’s side as chaos erupted in the venue, with no one understanding what had just happened.
