Chapter 30

Chapter 30 – Daniel’s Transfer

The night felt unbearably long. Ariana sat on the couch, her heart pounding as she processed the information Nathan had just delivered. Daniel was set to be transferred in the morning—and chances were, this was part of his plan to escape.

“How the hell does he still have connections outside?” Richard growled, his fists clenched.

Nathan exhaled sharply. “Men like Daniel never run out of ways. He knows too many secrets about powerful people. If he sells the right information to the right buyer, he can get help anytime.”

Samantha leaned against the wall, arms crossed. “We need to stop that transfer. If not, he’ll escape and come after us again.”

A cold shiver ran down Ariana’s spine. If Daniel got out, she knew her life would be in danger again.

“What’s your plan, Nathan?” Richard asked, his tone serious.

Nathan leaned back in his chair, eyes sharp. “I have a contact in the police department. I can find out the transfer route and see if there’s a way to intercept it.”

“But if this is a trap, wouldn’t we be walking right into it?” Ariana asked, her voice laced with worry.

Nathan looked at her. “That’s why we have to be smarter.”

---

A Dangerous Preparation

By the early hours of dawn, Nathan had received intel from his source.

“The convoy will take the main road through the west district, but there’s a weak spot at the intersection near the tunnel. If Daniel has an escape plan, that’s the most likely place for it to happen.”

Richard nodded. “Then we need to be there first.”

Nathan spread a map on the table and pointed to key locations. “We’ll split up. Samantha and I will observe from a distance, keeping watch from a vantage point. Richard, you’ll be positioned closer to the convoy’s path. And Ariana…”

Nathan turned to her.

“You’re staying in a safe place.”

Ariana stiffened. “What do you mean? I want to help.”

“This is too dangerous. If anything happens, you’ll be Daniel’s first target.”

Ariana bit her lip. “I don’t want to just sit and do nothing.”

Richard looked at her with concern. “Nathan’s right. I want you safe, Ariana.”

Frustration bubbled inside her, but she knew they only wanted to protect her.

---

The Trap on the Road

As dawn broke, they were all in position.

Nathan and Samantha were stationed in an abandoned building overlooking the main road. Richard was hiding in a small alley near the tunnel, waiting for the convoy.

Ariana, despite being told to stay back, had parked her car a short distance away, watching from a safe distance. She couldn’t just sit idly by.

A few minutes later, the sound of police sirens echoed in the distance.

“The convoy is on the move,” Nathan said through the comms. “Get ready.”

Richard tensed, prepared to act at the first sign of trouble.

Then, something unusual appeared on Nathan’s monitor.

A black van was trailing the convoy at an unusual distance.

“There’s a suspicious vehicle,” Samantha noted. “This could be part of the escape plan.”

Nathan zoomed in with a long-range camera.

“Damn it. I know that guy. He’s a former mercenary who used to work for Daniel.”

Richard’s jaw tightened. “That means they’re ready to strike.”

Ariana’s heartbeat quickened as she listened to their conversation.

And then it happened.

As soon as the convoy entered the tunnel, the black van suddenly accelerated and cut off the police vehicles.

BANG!

An explosion shook the tunnel, throwing everything into chaos.

Richard immediately sprang into action, running toward the disaster.

“They’re attacking! We need to stop them now!” Nathan shouted over the comms.

Ariana watched everything unfold from her car, her hands trembling. She couldn’t just stay back.

---

A Reckless Decision

Without thinking, Ariana threw open her car door and ran toward the tunnel.

Samantha saw her from a distance. “Ariana! Stop—”

But Ariana didn’t listen.

Inside the tunnel, smoke filled the air. The sound of sirens and shouting officers rang all around.

And amidst the chaos, she saw him.

Daniel.

He had already broken free from the transport vehicle, standing in the middle of the road, his hands still cuffed.

Their eyes met.

A slow, sinister smile spread across Daniel’s face.

“I knew you’d come, Ariana.”

Ariana swallowed hard. “I won’t let you escape, Daniel.”

Daniel chuckled. “You think you can stop me?”

From the other side, Richard appeared, his face twisted with fury. “Your game is over, Daniel.”

Daniel looked at him with mock amusement. “You’re always in my way, Richard. Always trying to be the hero, but you forget one thing…”

A chilling click echoed.

One of Daniel’s men had positioned himself behind Ariana, a knife in his grip.

“You’re the ones who will lose this time.”

Richard moved instantly, but Daniel yanked Ariana toward him, pressing the blade to her throat.

“Don’t move,” he whispered against her ear.

Richard froze, fists clenched.

Nathan and Samantha arrived, weapons drawn, but they couldn’t make a move without risking Ariana’s life.

“Let her go, Daniel,” Nathan said calmly. “You have no way out.”

Daniel chuckled darkly. “I always have a way out.”

Ariana’s pulse raced, but she knew one thing—if she let fear control her, she would never escape Daniel’s grasp.

So, she made a desperate move.

With all her strength, she stomped down on Daniel’s foot and jabbed her elbow into his stomach.

Daniel staggered back.

Richard didn’t waste a second.

In a blur, he lunged forward, delivering a brutal punch that sent Daniel crashing to the ground.

Nathan and Samantha took down the rest of Daniel’s men before they could flee.

Ariana gasped for breath, staring at Daniel—bloodied, defeated.

“This is over, Daniel,” she said, her voice shaking but firm.

Daniel glared at her, his eyes filled with pure hatred. “You think this is the end?”

Richard clenched his fists. “This time, you’re not getting away.”

Police sirens blared louder, and within moments, reinforcements swarmed the area.

Daniel was finally taken away—for good.

Ariana’s legs nearly gave out.

Richard caught her, pulling her into his arms.

“Are you okay?” he whispered.

Ariana nodded weakly. “Yes. I’m okay.”

For the first time in a long while, she finally felt free.