She knew she would not be able to hold on much longer. Natalie was not strong enough to keep Gale under her control indefinitely.When Natalie no longer had strength, Gale would easily escape. That would be terrible.Using Gale as leverage was just a temporary ploy. What Natalie truly wanted was to trade Gale for Joshua. The person she wanted to abduct was Joshua! Gale would stay alive, living with the lifelong pain of losing her son."Gale! What should we do? You can't get hurt!" Peter was terribly anxious.Mary mirrored his concern. "It's all my fault. It's because of me that we are in this situation... Gale, I'll save you!" Mary attempted to get out of bed.As she lifted the covers, she said, "Natalie, take me instead; do whatever you want to do to me! At my age, living or not doesn't matter!""You've got grievances, resentment, vent it on me! Take your anger out on me! I didn't plead for you, didn't do everything to save you. It has nothing to do with Gale. You hate me, the
"Did Natalie make any demands? Whatever she asks, agree to it now! We can't let her harm Gale!" Shawn asked.Natalie was reckless, capable of anything! Nothing can happen to Gale! He could not lose her!"Mr. Wood, Natalie didn't make any demands. What should we do now?" the guard replied."Wait for me!" Shawn hung up the phone and ran out.Fiona felt a gust of wind passing by. When she looked up, Shawn had already left the office. Fiona felt that something big must have happened! It was surely about Mrs. Wood. Only Mrs. Wood could make President Wood lose composure and act so frantically.Shawn gripped the steering wheel tightly and zipped past vehicles on the road, focusing on reaching Gale! 'Gale, I'm coming!''Don't be afraid, I'm here!'He would not spare anything to save her. When he took her to the hospital, she was so cheerful. The atmosphere was so beautiful and harmonious, bringing a sense of joy he had not felt in a while. She was only by herself for a little whi
"Just cut to the chase, will you exchange Gale for Joshua?""No!"Mary, Peter, and Gale all refused in unison.However, Joshua's young voice rang out. "Yes!"Gale shook her head immediately. "Joshua! Don't speak out of turn! This isn't child's play! It's dangerous!"She could tolerate trivial disputes, but she refused to budge an inch with something this severe! There was no way she would exchange Joshua for her! "Big beauty, I want to save you. I can't let the bad lady hurt you anymore! Your neck is bleeding!" Joshua pushed past Peter, stepping to the front."It's nothing. This minor injury will heal in a couple of days. You don't need to worry, Joshua. I... I'll be fine."When Gale said this, she felt dishonest and helpless. How could she be fine in such a situation? Joshua, being smart and perceptive, knew what all of it meant. She could not deceive him.As expected, Joshua said, "Stop lying to me, big beauty. The bad lady wants me, not you. So, you can't be in danger.""
She was really aggressive, and her face was flushed.Joshua looked at her, pouting, appearing aggrieved. He wanted to save her, so why was she being so harsh on him? Although Joshua actually understood. Gale did not want him to be in danger. Gale breathed a momentary sigh of relief when she saw Peter hold Joshua in his arms. When Joshua walked straight toward her without hesitation, a vivid memory flashed in Gale's mind. It was the time Susan abducted her, and Shawn did the same, striding over directly to exchange himself for her. Unhesitant, unflinching, unafraid. Joshua was exactly like Shawn back then. They had the same demeanor. They genuinely wanted to save her and were willing to use themselves to secure her safety.At that moment, Gale genuinely felt like the luckiest woman in the world. Her husband loves her. Her son loves her. Her daughter loves her. She was completely surrounded by love, so much love from so many people."Natalie, I understand now why you're so jealo
Gale nodded. "Yes! You've never been a mother. You'd never understand!""Don't worry, I won't harm Joshua. I just think he's small and easy to control. I can single-handedly control him. So, the idea of exchanging you for him came to mind. He's a child, you're an adult. I need a hostage I can control, right?" Natalie quipped. Gale did not buy into her narrative. "I'll never allow my child to be in the slightest danger!"That made Natalie rather furious."You do know I can destroy your face, right! You won't be able to seduce men anymore, and everyone who sees your face will be shocked!" Natalie threatened."Go ahead. My face has been scarred before."She had been scarred by a long, deep cut before. Over the years, she used various expensive ointments to minimize the scars. Gale did not care much about her appearance.Natalie was irritated. "I don't know how any man would be drawn to your trashy character and be so devoted to you!"However, if she could not persuade Gale, she'd
Peter would have been incredibly accommodating to Joshua if it were any time other than this. However, the issue of his personal safety was non-negotiable!"I won't. I'm just going to check if Uncle Shawn's here! He's the only one who can save big beauty!" Joshua replied."Let's wait together.""Granda, I really am going to get Uncle Shawn. I want to know what his plan is to save our big beauty and update him on the situation inside the ward!" Joshua said. He kicked his legs, insistent on getting down.Peter held him firmly. "No, you can't."Seeing his grandfather's firmness, Joshua calmed down and stopped struggling.Suddenly, there was a sound at the door.They had no idea where the sound was coming from or who it was."Wow!" Joshua looked toward the door and shouted, "It's Uncle Shawn!"Shawn arrived?Peter quickly raised his head, his attention solely on the door. Joshua took advantage of this moment, quickly pushed away from Pete and smoothly leaped out of his embrace!
Joshua shrugged and said, "Okay, I'll show you myself. Look, my pockets are empty, my hands, my neck, nothing!"He pranced and jumped, to prove his point.Natalie said, "Turn around."Joshua complied.There was nothing suspicious about him.Natalie sighed. "Gale, oh Gale, you're so lucky. On the brink of death, and someone is willing to take your place. I envy you, really."She was sarcastic, basically adding salt to Gale's wounds.Feeling both sad and desperate, Gale said, "Joshua, why are you so disobedient! I'm angry this time, I'm truly angry with you, I won't forgive you!"Joshua looked at her. "Big beauty..."He blinked, tears shimmering in his eyes.Gale could not hold back any longer, and tears streamed down her face. In reality, Joshua was scared too. However clever and resourceful he might be, he was still just a child. Even the most rational of adults would feel fear when put in his situation.Gale was scared too, but she did not show it. Joshua was the same, he w
Gale shut her eyes with tears already streaming down her cheeks. Natalie leaned against the wall and said, "Joshua, come here.""On my way," Joshua replied obediently, doing whatever she asked.Natalie's back pressed firmly against the corner as she scanned her surroundings. Slowly, she freed one hand. When she saw Joshua making no move to resist, she swiftly grabbed his shoulder and forcefully pushed Gale forward!She caught Joshua.The knife was now aimed at Joshua's neck. Gale stumbled forward before finally falling to the ground. She did not even think about getting up and immediately looked at Joshua. "Joshua!"Her heart felt like it was breaking. How did things end up like this?!Joshua's small frame made it easier for Natalie to control him. She squatted, sitting cross-legged in the corner. The thin fruit knife looked twice the length of Joshua's neck! It was a terrifying sight!Joshua tried to comfort her. "It's okay, it's okay. Big beauty, she won't hurt me. Don't c