Janine's neck was scraped, and blood began to seep out.Albert took the gun from Desiree and pointed it at Janine's temple.This was his pre-planned move.Once his crimes were exposed, he would find a way to kidnap Janine or someone from the Hamertons to escape unharmed."Zephyr!" Albert raised his chin. "Order your people to step back!"Zephyr gnashed his teeth, his fists trembling.He didn't expect Albert to enter the venue with a gun despite their preparations. Passing security checks was beyond imagination!Cordelia discreetly held his hand. She realized there must be a traitor within the Hamertons collaborating with Albert. Unfortunately, they didn't have time to figure out who it was now.Zephyr reluctantly raised his hand, gesturing for everyone to step back."Not bad!" Albert sneered, dragging Janine toward the door.Cordelia stepped forward calmly. "Mr. Harper, it'll be hard to end things if we let it get out of hand. It'll be a lose-lose situation for both sides. Te
"Even if we wanted to pay the ransom, you must give us time." Cordelia remained calm. "My mom is old, Mr. Harper. She can't bear this. If something happens to her, you will end up behind bars. You won't gain anything from it, either. This is serious. Think it through."Albert looked around, and his grip on Janine's neck initially loosened, but then he tightened it even more. "Trying to trick me? Ha! You're too naive, Mrs. Hamerton!""Mr. Harper!"At that moment, Lina stood up and held Cordelia's arm, urging her to step back.Cordelia felt her heart squeeze with concern upon hearing Lina's soft voice."Mr. Harper, if you don't believe what Mrs. Hamerton said, why don't we make a trade? All you need is a hostage. It doesn't matter who it is. Take me instead in exchange for Grandma Janine!""Pammy!" Cordelia was shocked and pulled Lina back, getting Zuko to take her away.Meanwhile, Lina released Cordelia's arm and glanced at Zuko, shaking her head.Zuko pursed his lips, his deep
Time passed slowly. It had only been five minutes since Albert took Janine to the room, but it felt like centuries for Zephyr and Cordelia.Meanwhile, the authorities arrived and quickly informed the family about the situation."The criminal has tied the hostage near the window. He's armed with a gun and a dagger, so we can't charge in recklessly," one officer reported.Concerned, Cordelia asked, "Doesn't the room have a good view?""Yes, but..." The officer hesitated. "He's cunning to have placed Ms. Janine near the window. She can be easily harmed if our snipers open fire from the building across."Desperate, Cordelia couldn't hold back her tears any longer.Zephyr tried to remain composed, but his mother's life was at risk, making it impossible to stay completely calm.In an attempt to take action, he reached for a gun from one of the bodyguards, his rage evident."Calm down, Zen!" Cordelia pressed his hand down, her eyes filled with worry for Janine."Let me handle this, d
Under the cover of the night, Chris stealthily climbed to a nearby building and set up his sniper gun. He communicated with his comrades through an earpiece.The authorities had also dispatched two snipers to assist him."Zuko, I have a clear view of Grandma Janine from my position. She's safe for now, with her head wound bandaged. Albert is by her side, armed with a gun and dagger. Desiree is standing nearby.""Can we open fire now?" Zuko inquired."Not yet," Chris replied. "Albert is on high alert. We need to distract him. I can take the shot once he's three steps away from Grandma Janine."Meanwhile, Lina checked the time and realized over an hour had passed. Earlier, she had arranged for the food to be removed from the room as a solution for Janine's safety.Taking a deep breath, she knocked on the door."Who is it!?" Albert's voice came from inside."Mr. Harper, it's time for Grandma Janine to take her medicine," Lina replied."Medicine? This old lady seems perfectly fine
The Hamertons sent a box of cash in pounds.Lina had an idea to pretend to be an attendant, deliver food, and confront Albert, but Zuko rejected it.Suddenly, a deep voice interrupted them. "You don't have to do it. I will.""Lena? You—""I was too slow to save Madam Baker in the banquet hall." Lena looked at Lina and lowered her cap. "Don't worry. I'll be smarter this time.""No!" Lina grabbed her. "I can't let you take the risk. I brought you to the event. I must ensure you're safe!"However, Lena pushed her into Zuko's embrace and left, saying, "Take care of her.""Lena!"Lena went downstairs without looking back. Lina panicked, but Zuko calmed her down. "Perhaps Lena has her own plan.""That's not acceptable!" Lina retorted."Lina, she can handle herself well. Also, Albert hasn't met her, making her the best candidate to be the attendant in disguise," Zuko explained."But—"Zuko reassured her. "Don't worry. She's smart. She knows what to do and what not to do. If she th
Albert's impatient voice echoed from the room. "You can't even pick up a cereal bowl, you damned girl! Get in now!""The case is heavy, dad!" Desiree complained.Desiree struggled to hold onto the case, but it relentlessly pressed on her arms.Meanwhile, Lena chuckled. Her petite figure remained hidden behind the case, and she wore a cap obscuring half of her face.Clad in the hotel's uniform, Desiree wouldn't have recognized her, especially in her panicked state.Lena firmly pressed down on the case.Overwhelmed by the weight of both the case and the person, Desiree couldn't bear the load. "Come here, dad! I—"Before Desiree could finish her sentence, Lena heard Albert's hurried footsteps approaching. She realized that her opportunity had come.She exerted force and pushed the case forcefully, catching Desiree off guard. Desiree stumbled and was pushed right into Albert, who was approaching."Ahh!"Albert leaped back, reacting quickly to the unexpected collision.Taking adv
Lina gave Toph a thumbs up.Zuko smiled and spoke. "This man was prepping in the kitchen the whole day yesterday. He marinated for three to four hours alone, scaring our chefs!""Why?" Lina asked."They thought the Hamertons no longer needed chefs, that we were firing them," Zuko replied.Lina laughed out loud.Renee played the role of the waiter, serving drinks and condiments to everyone. She was happy to keep busy."Cuz, this is Toph's secret recipe! We must try it!" Renee exclaimed."Yes, you must!" Zuko said. "This dude stayed in the kitchen yesterday, forbidding me from looking!""Why would I let you steal it?" Toph, wearing a loose T-shirt, said while fanning himself. "I came up with this secret recipe after many rounds of tests and trials. You'd need to pay to learn!"Zuko raised his eyebrows. "How much?"Toph showed seven fingers. "Since we're brothers, I'll charge you 70 dollars!""Isn't that dad's allowance?""Hahaha!""You're lucky that dad isn't here! Otherwise
"Let me explain." Chris chuckled. "My real name is Crius. I realized it sounded too feminine when I joined my unit, so I changed it to Chris!""That's right. He's the only one in the family who dared to change his name," Zuko said, chuckling. "Our great-grandfather named us, and Chris just went ahead and changed it!"Chris shrugged. "A name is just an insignia. As long as people remember it, it should be fine. Am I right, Ms. Harding?"He looked at Lena, who had been quiet all this while.Meanwhile, Lena's mind seemed to be elsewhere. After a moment, she glanced at him blankly and asked, "Did you call me?"Chris faked a chuckle. "Who else would it be? You're the only one with the last name Harding here.""Oh," she replied flatly. "I'm not used to people calling me that.""Well...""Didn't you say that a name is just an insignia?" Lena's expression remained unchanged. "Lena is my insignia."She lifted her head to look at him, revealing her beautiful face under the cap.She app