What was that?Ian frowned—it felt sharp as it dug into his skin.Irene was glaring at him calmly. "A little push, and you will be in a world of pain."The temple is a vital spot for humans as it is a node where various nerves are connected, and any trauma leaves the victim vulnerable to injury.Irene did not have time to prepare when she came and could not bring anything lethal. All she had was the key she grabbed from a table—but even if she could not kill Ian, she could threaten him.Ian, however, did not think that she would hurt him. "Don't forget that I have your mother and child. Hurt me, and they die.""Take me to them," Irene demanded. "And I promise I won't hurt you.""No." Ian stared at her sideways. "But if you hurt me, they die."To no surprise, she did not dare to get rough with him—not when her baby had not been rescued. Taking her hand off himself, he chuckled when he finally saw what she was holding. "A key? You threatened me with that?"Irene held his gaze,
Moreover, Isaac had definitely spent most of his recent time abroad, and Ian did hear rumors that his relationship with Irene was strained—though there was just no solid evidence to prove it.But the rumors turned out to be true?"I don't believe you," Ian growled—he was not about to buy it that easily.That was when Isaac hung up on him.It actually left Ian wondering just then… that reaction certainly points to a rift between Isaac and Irene.But could it just be Isaac trying to deceive him? Ian was actually stumped. Turning towards Irene, he asked, "You two got in a fight?"For her part, Irene knew that Isaac was hung up over Yvaine's death and even understood it.Even so, her heart broke to hear him suggest that he would never love his mother's murderer.It was pure anguish.Nonetheless, she worked hard to control her emotions. "You know already, don't you? Why do you even ask?"Ian was watching her, and knew that the way she was withholding her pain was no pretense.
Ian said, "Let's bet if Isaac is going to come to bail you out. I'll release you, your mother, and your child if you win, and you're mine if you lose."It was not as if he was actually interested in Irene—he just wanted to possess her because she was once Isaac's.If she really became his, it would be a slap in the face for Isaac. It would be sheer infamy!Naturally, Irene was not going to play along. "You're a nutjob!"Ian's face fell and he grabbed her by the chin. "I hate it when people badmouth me!"Even so, Irene met his sinister gaze without flinching. "You kidnapped women and a baby for this? Even if you win, you're still a loser. Also, I'd rather die than suffer the likes of you."Ian's eyes turned scarlet right then. "So this is why Isaac keeps you around… You have heart."A woman who had none would already be crying a river now—it seems that Isaac did not fall for her beauty.He was almost impressed!"Well, let's see how long you can keep barking," he growled as he
Irene turned to find a silhouette standing there, but she knew right away that it was him.She had felt no fear even as she confronted Ian, but now that he was here, she became fearful that he had fallen victim to Ian's devious nature.Ian had her life and Tommy's life in his hands, and the leverage would keep Isaac's hands tied."Oh, he's here. See?" Ian laughed in delight—he was one-upping Isaac for once!Nonetheless, Isaac walked steadily with composure, not at all flustered despite present circumstances. There was a brief look of pain and worry in his eyes as he glanced at Irene before he turned back toward Ian with an impassive look. "Here. What you asked for."Ian, however, was actually scared of Isaac, and told one of his goons to get it instead of taking it himself.When the goon appeared hesitant, he kicked the goon on his bottom. "Go!"As the goon walked toward Isaac with apprehension, Ian said, "I knew it—you care about this woman, and are willing to give up Remy fo
Isaac noticed that Irene was going to make a move.And just as he spoke, Irene somehow managed to shake off the two goons restraining her and started running toward the river!Isaac's face fell and he gave chase right then.He managed to catch her by the wrist and firmly pulled. As she fell into his arms, he quietly told him, "Just stop…"Irene shook her head in despair. "I don't want you to get hurt because of me."She had lost all hope when Isaac said that he was only being nice to her because of Tommy. Still, she did not want him to be coerced by Ian because of herself, and decided to do one last thing for him.After all, he was the only man she had ever loved! Seeing that they were both together, Ian remembered his dead mother and crippled father right then, and promptly pressed the detonator he was holding, intent on blowing them both up.Irene, however, sensed it before he could, and bit Isaac's arm as hard as she could. The pain made him release her ever so slightly, an
The doctor appeared very apologetic and regretful. "We've done our best, but her injuries were too extensive…"James's heart skipped a beat and he promptly turned toward Isaac, whose face contorted with emotion. Knowing that he was treading on thin ice, he said, "Mr. Jefferson…""Are you kidding me?" Isaac growled straight out of his throat.The doctor appeared apprehensive but said, "We won't joke about something like this, sir,"Isaac did not want to believe it, but the doctor's words were clear.His neck was straight and stiff as his Adam's apple bobbed repeatedly."You have to calm down, Mr. Jefferson." James tried to reason with him, but it did not work—if there was one moment when Isaac could not calm down, it was this.He strode toward the operating room, but he stopped at the doorway after he opened the doors, his legs seemed to turn into lead just then.All the doctors who took part in the surgery all stood in a row beside the surgical table, each of them keeping their
James sighed and said feebly, "Everyone, please leave."Given the circumstances, it was ideal to let him calm down right now.As all the doctors filed out of the room, Stephen remained afraid to talk to Isaac, and so told James instead, "We really shouldn't leave the body there. It needs to be sent to the morgue soon."James certainly understood and agreed, or Isaac would never leave this room."I'll try my best," he told Stephen.Stephen lowered his gaze. "Sorry for all the trouble."James actually thought that this was what he was supposed to do anyway… How was it any trouble?Meanwhile, Isaac was standing alone in front of the surgical table after chasing everyone out. Everything around him seemed to turn still, and it looked as if he was alone in the world!Hours passed, and he never stepped out even though it was already nighttime. Outside, James was beside himself with worry, but he did not dare to go in.Stan arrived just then and asked, "How happened?"James's eye
Stan became excited. "What is it?""Who's the reason Irene's dead?" James asked.Stan suddenly stared at James as if he was stupid. "Ian Jefferson, of course!""And what if Ian Jefferson suddenly escaped—""There's no way he can—I'd never allow him to," Stan cut James short right then, growling viciously, "I'll break his legs if he does."James did not stop him from finishing, and instead waited until Stan calmed down before explaining, "I know. He isn't getting away, but we can let him go…""Let him go?" Stan exclaimed, unable to catch on to what James was planning just then. "It's already merciful enough that we're not cutting him into pieces. Did you suddenly have a brain fart or something?"James rolled his eyes at Stan. "Could you pipe down and hear me out first instead of interrupting every single time?"Stan finally did so. "Fine. What were you trying to get at?" he asked."Since Mr. Jefferson is still grieving Irene, what do you think would happen if we suddenly told h