Chapter 180

Laura slowly blinked open her eyes. A sharp dagger pressed against her throat. Memories of the parking lot ambush flooded back—she had been taken hostage. Unlike eight years ago, however, fear didn't grip her. Her breathing remained calm; her expression was stoic, showing no fear.

"Are you awake, woman?" Jack's sinister voice broke the silence as he watched Laura regain consciousness. "You woke up just in time to witness this man's dilemma."

Laura's mind stirred. She looked toward the classroom door and saw Cameron standing with a sharp dagger at his feet.

"Cameron, don't worry about me. Just kill him," Laura said firmly. "Even if you die, he won't let me go."

"But if he doesn't die, you will," Jack sneered, a vicious smile twisting his lips. His cold eyes bore into Cameron. "Make your choice. Will you plunge that dagger at your feet into your chest, or shall I slit this woman's throat with the dagger in my hand?"

"You heard her. She told me not to bother with her," Cameron replied, staring coldly at Jack. "Besides, I've already said her life or death has nothing to do with me."

He began walking toward Jack.

"Is that so?" Jack broke into a twisted grin, pressing the dagger harder against Laura's neck, drawing blood from her delicate skin.

Laura closed her eyes, preparing for death.

"Stop!" Cameron shouted, stopping in his tracks.

Laura reopened her eyes, looking at Cameron with a trembling gaze. "Cameron, I told you, even if you do as he says, he won't let me go!"

"Shut up!" Cameron snapped, then turned to Jack. "If I do as you say, will you let her go?"

"Heh, that depends on whether I'm satisfied," Jack sneered, confident he had Cameron figured out. He believed that if Cameron didn't care about Laura, he wouldn't have rushed to her rescue.

Cameron took a deep breath and picked up the dagger.

"Cameron, don't listen to him!" Laura's panicked voice pierced the air. "You idiot! Who's asking you to save me? Do you have a brain? You self-righteous fool! You're such a moron!"

Laura unleashed a barrage of insults, desperate to dissuade Cameron from saving her. She had deeply hurt him seven years ago and didn't want him to be hurt for her sake again.

"You're the fool, you clueless woman. I told you to return to Levin," Cameron retorted.

"Hurry up, stop dawdling, or I'll kill her!" Jack's eyes darkened as he watched the two.

"I understand," Cameron said in a low voice, slowly raising the dagger.

Laura's voice trembled. Her face turned pale with fear.

Yet, Cameron showed no hesitation. In the face of Laura's horrified gaze, he aimed the dagger at his chest and forcefully stabbed it down.

(The promotional text at the beginning and end should be removed from the story itself.)