'Joshua is Gale's son?'His mind went blank for a moment, and it took a while for him to come back to his senses. "Yes, Shawn, Joshua Warm is your son. Didn't you know? That just meant Gale had been hiding him from you as well. Otherwise, why would I go to such lengths to target this parentless kid? What would I gain from taking his life?" Natalie laughed.Shawn pursed his lips, looking toward Gale. "He is my son?"Gale nodded, admitting, "Yes, Joshua is your son. That is why Natalie agreed to the hostage exchange. This naive kid did it to save me… "Shawn frowned. After a few seconds, he lowered his head, whispering in Gale's ear, "I understand now, Gale. Don't worry, leave it to me."Gale looked into his eyes. "You understand?" Shawn's reaction seemed different from what she had imagined. 'Why was he so calm? It's different from what I imagine…'"Yeah, this was Joshua's idea, right? He's small but clever," Shawn replied in a low voice. "Idea?" Gale blinked, looking at h
Gale looked into his eyes, emphasizing, "Shawn, Nicole and Joshua are equally important." He just firmly held her hand with determination and gentleness.When Shawn looked back at Natalie, his expression changed to a murderous glint. "I knew early on that you weren't genuinely sorry.""Natalie, you have a way out, but if you truly harm my son, Joshua..."He did not utter a single threat, but the implication in his tone was enough to send shivers down one's spine. "I don't want a way out. Your son won't have one either! I'll die with him, we'll go down together! Then, my death will be worthwhile!"Shawn's gaze darkened. "If you dare kill Joshua, I will kill your entire family.""Family? Oh, you mean my stepmother? I have no feelings for her; do whatever you want with her... But if she dies, Dad will be very sad." Natalie scoffed.Natalie looked at Gale. "Tell me, Gale, how would you feel if Heather and Dad died together?"Gale wanted to rush forward, her eyes bloodshot, "You're
Natalie skillfully avoided his major arteries; after all, she did not want Joshua to die so quickly. She wanted to savor Gale's pain."Joshua!" Gale used all her strength to lunge forward as she watched the blood flow incessantly. It was hopeless. Shawn pulled her back, embracing her.He glanced at Joshua's neck wound. It was approximately seven to eight centimeters long. Fortunately, it was not too deep. Natalie probably intended to teach them a lesson without going too far. However, for a child, it was already cruel enough.Shawn covered Gale's eyes. "Don't look, Gale… The wound isn't deep, it won't endanger his life.""But Joshua must be in so much pain..." She wished the cut was on herself. Even ten cuts would be fine!Joshua took a sharp breath, pain spreading from his neck. However, he remained silent and shed a tear. He was unusually calm for a kindergarten boy."It's okay, I'm not hurting. Big beauty, it's just a small injury, I won't die," Joshua reassured her.Howeve
She could almost taste the metallic taste of blood on her tongue. She could barely hold on, finding the sounds unbearable. However, Gale told herself not to faint; she had to stay here with Joshua and protect him!Shawn held her, his gaze turning to the bodyguards. "Go, bring Matthew and Heather.""Yes.""I told you, it's useless even if Mom and Dad come! I don't want to see them! Even if you call Aurum, I won't care! He lied to me! I won't forgive him!" Natalie shouted. "I won't call Aurum. Seeing his former confidante in such a pathetic state won't do him any good. Natalie, I'm giving you a chance; you shouldn't let Aurum see you like this."Natalie's hand trembled slightly, but soon, she tightened her grip on the knife again. Of course, she knew how terrifying she looked now. How could she let her beloved see her like this? But, if she did not, she might never see Aurum again. It would be their final meeting. In Natalie's heart, she still loved Aurum deeply. A soft spot was
As long as Natalie stood by the window, the sniper across could take their shot. The bodyguards lurking on the upper and lower floors were ready to climb and snatch Joshua from Natalie at any moment. Perhaps they needed to force Natalie to make a move instead of staying in the corner!Shawn knew it was dangerous and came with great risks. Any slight mishap and Joshua might die. However, he had to take the risky chance. It was a do-or-die situation. It was the only way! If Natalie really intended to kill Joshua with the knife, there was no solution unless he rushed forward and confronted her directly.No matter what, there were risks.Shawn's eyes darkened; his only solace now was that the hostage was not Gale. Otherwise, what would he do? Though Joshua was important, Gale was more crucial. It was not that Shawn was heartless, but Gale was his top priority. Even if Nicole were in danger, Shawn would not completely lose his composure.As he was about to re-enter the ward, hurried
Matthew staggered into the room as well. Aurum stood at the ward's entrance, gazing at the hands blocking his way."Mr. Wood, can't I enter?" he said."Why are you here? Who informed you?""No one informed me. I just happened to be visiting Matthew," Aurum replied.Shawn let out a cold laugh. "I know Natalie was willing to repent, and you pleaded for her the last time. However, Gale refused to forgive her. You felt wronged. Do you still think Gale was wrong now?"Aurum clenched and then loosened his fist."It's because you've been too trusting of Natalie. She deceived you, and you couldn't see her true nature. It's far uglier than you could have imagined!""I never expected her to be like this. Otherwise, I wouldn't have pleaded for her! She doesn't deserve it; she's not worth it!" Aurum replied.Shawn sneered, "You were so eager to vouch for her, weren't you?"Aurum remained silent.He had misjudged her.Fortunately, Gale had not agreed to forgive her.Otherwise, the conse
"Step aside, I can't bear to watch Joshua get hurt again... I'm willing to bow. I'll do it," Gale said, expressionless.Every cut Natalie made on Joshua felt like a stab in her heart. The wounds on the child hurt the mother even more. Shawn crouched in front of her and said, "You don't need to do this."Gale looked at him."I'll do it. Get up, Gale," Shawn said.Gale did not move.Shawn, usually high and mighty, has never bowed to anyone before. A man's knees were made for precious moments. She felt that this was something she should handle. He should not need to debase himself."No, I'll do it." Gale pushed his hand away. "Natalie asked me to bow, not you."Fortunately, Natalie had not asked Shawn to do such a thing. Otherwise, Gale would have felt even worse.Unexpectedly, as this thought flashed through her mind, Natalie shouted, "Enough, stop arguing, both of you bow. Keep bowing to me until I'm satisfied!"Gale felt a wave of despair and closed her eyes. Her worst fear ha
Heather was overjoyed at the prospect. It was just what she wanted. After all, Mr. Wood had plenty of money! "Natalie, tell me, how much do you want? I think... twenty million dollars should be enough?" Heather said, her face full of anticipation."Are you stupid..." However, Natalie's words were once again cut short by Shawn. "I'll give you forty million dollars.""Did you hear that? It's more than enough for a lifetime!" Heather said.Over the years, Heather had estimated the money Matthew had spent on her, including the house and the car, to be around twenty million. Now, Shawn had casually offered forty million!Natalie sneered.A mistress would always just be a mistress, short-sighted and brainless. A helicopter? Yacht? Going abroad? Forty million? She probably would not have a place to bury herself as soon as she boarded the yacht and released Joshua. Having all the money without her life would be pointless.Heather truly lacked perspective and insight!"Yes, forty m