Chapter 288

Vanessa's breath hitched as an icy dread crept down her spine.

The realization that the very weapon which had claimed two lives in that abandoned warehouse was now trained on her sent a violent tremor through her body. Tears blurred her vision.

Her voice cracked, raw with terror. "I—I swear, I'm not involved! Please, don't—"

The words dissolved into ragged sobs as panic seized her.

The man's lips curled into a cruel smirk. Impatience flashed in his eyes as he steadied his aim.

Vanessa's knees buckled. She collapsed to the ground just as the gunshot shattered the silence.

The bullet whizzed past her ear, embedding itself into the concrete wall with a sickening thud.

"Goddamn it!"

His furious snarl echoed through the darkness—a man thwarted by nothing more than a trembling woman.

The chaotic footsteps from downstairs grew louder.

"Here! They're up here!"

"Move faster! We need to get to them now!"

The gunshots had given away their location.

The kidnapper knew his time was up. He spun around, ready to bolt.

But before he could take another step, a fist slammed into his ribs with brutal precision.

The impact knocked the breath from his lungs. Before he could recover, a sharp twist of his wrist forced the gun from his grip.

His opponent moved like lightning—efficient, ruthless.

Alexander Whitmore's eyes darkened.

In one fluid motion, he flipped the gun, pressing the barrel against the man's temple.

The entire fight had lasted mere seconds. One squeeze, and it would be over.

Vanessa Hart exhaled in relief at the sight of her rescuer.

".64 caliber pistol, 7.62 rounds—police issue." Alexander's voice was icy. "Who the hell are you working for?"

Alexander's gaze turned glacial, his voice dripping with venom. "Speak. Where is she?"

The man clenched his jaw, frustration twisting his features. "The bomb's timer is almost up. Even if you run now, it's pointless!"

A dark smirk curved Alexander's lips. "Good. Then you'll make a convenient scapegoat. Fitting."

The kidnapper scoffed, resignation settling in. "My life's worthless anyway. If I die, so be it. But you’re not alone, are you?"

Every second wasted meant disaster.

Vanessa's voice cut through the tension. "Alexander, Evelyn's upstairs!"

Right on cue, backup agents stormed in. Without hesitation, Alexander delivered a brutal kick to the man's ribs, signaling the agents to restrain him.

Just as they moved in, the kidnapper's hand flashed—a blade glinting as he thrust it toward Alexander's side.

Bound and gagged, Evelyn could only watch the timer tick down.

Four minutes left.

Her stomach twisted.

The icy wind sliced through the abandoned building like a blade, stealing the warmth from Evelyn Carter's body.

Her fingers had long gone numb.

"Is this really the end?" The thought echoed in her mind, sharp and unrelenting.

She clenched her teeth.

"I refuse to die here. Not like this."

Struggling against the weight of her thick winter coat, Evelyn dragged herself toward the stairwell. Every movement was agony, her muscles screaming in protest.

She barely made it three steps before collapsing.

Hopelessness threatened to swallow her whole—until the faintest sound reached her ears.

Footsteps.

Someone was downstairs.

Her heart lurched.

"Mmm—!" She tried to call out, but the gag muffled her voice.

The timer on the wall ticked mercilessly.

01:59.

Even if she broke free now, escape was impossible.

Defeated, Evelyn slumped against the cold concrete floor. A bitter laugh escaped her lips as tears welled in her eyes.

"Would anyone even miss me?"

She shut her eyes, bracing for the inevitable—

Then, the footsteps grew louder.

Closer.