Chapter 1061:
Frowning, she nudged it. It felt too heavy to be random luggage. Maybe the staff left it there. Must be some stage equipment, she thought, brushing it off.
Meanwhile, someone else in the audience noticed a similar black suitcase beneath their seat. With a shrug, they ignored it, thinking it was part of the setup.
The concert began minutes later. Elyse took the stage, focusing on the music and rhythm of the orchestra. Everything was going smoothly until a massive explosion suddenly erupted from the back right of the stage.
Everyone stood frozen, shock rippling through the hall. For what felt like an eternity—ten seconds of absolute silence—no one moved or spoke.
Then, someone finally broke through the paralysis, their voice cracking with panic. “The concert hall—it’s exploded!”
People screamed and scrambled over one another to escape, turning the room into a frenzy. Elyse stood frozen on stage, her heart pounding as she watched the scene devolve into panic. “Stay calm! Don’t push!” shouted staff members, trying to prevent a stampede.
Elyse stood frozen, unsure of what her next move should be. She longed to flee, yet the exits were overflowing with people, all squeezed together. Just then, a second explosion shook the venue.
Dust settled on Elyse’s head as she looked up, her eyes widening as the massive crystal chandelier swayed dangerously above her. If it fell, it would surely crush her.
Biting her lip, she edged toward the exit. Suddenly, someone seized her wrist, pulling her in another direction. She turned to face a stranger. With suspicion in her voice, she demanded, “Who are you? Release me now!”
“Release you? Not a chance.” The stranger scoffed, his grin revealing yellowed teeth. “Without you, how am I to claim my eight million?” His gaze was shifty, scanning Elyse with unmistakable greed. Had it not been for the stipulation from the buyer to keep her unharmed, he would have relished the thrill of sleeping with this stunner.
Elyse wrestled to free herself—his hold was iron-tight; the pandemonium around them only grew. No one seemed to notice her struggle amid their frantic attempts to escape. Her resistance grew fiercer. “I won’t go with you! Let go!”
“You dare defy me?” The man sneered, brandishing a remote control. She halted, her voice icy with fear. “What is that?” With a smirk, he pressed a button, and a third explosion tore through the hall.
The building shook as if on the verge of collapse. Horrified, Elyse screamed, “Monster! You intend to kill us all!”
The man spoke lazily. “There was no other way to abduct you. You’re never without your bodyguards. Just yesterday, my accomplice tried a direct approach, but alas, he was captured.”