Chapter 288: I'm Not Worth It

Maggie's eyes stung as she stared at the man on the screen. He was disheveled, still wearing the suit from their trip to the competition. Sleep deprivation tinged his beautiful eyes red, and his hair was messy from a restless night and travel. This added a rare dishevelment to his usually controlled appearance. Nevertheless, the tension in his expression was palpable, a stormy cloud of icy aura hard to ignore. The fierce malice he'd previously suppressed now surfaced, his dark eyes gleaming with a cold, murderous gaze, like a demon.

Timothy nonchalantly hung up, turning to Maggie. "It seems I worried you needlessly. Alex and Nelson were only a diversion at Alosea's factory." His voice was calm, almost casual, tinged with regret. However, the scar across his face was a gruesome contrast to his calm demeanor. The previously harmless man now seemed eerie. Flaws always bring sorrow.

Maggie remained silent. She knew Timothy wouldn't stop his manipulations. Her presence was his leverage against Nathael. Did Timothy have any weaknesses? She knew his father had died young, his brother had been severely injured at eighteen and was disabled, and his mother, driven mad by him, lived in seclusion. Did he care for anyone? Threatening his life had failed; this madman feared nothing.

Her eyes drifted to a book before him. Was there no way to break this stalemate?

"What's on your mind?" Timothy asked, his interest piqued.

Maggie met his gaze. "I'm wondering if there's anything in this world you fear."

Timothy chuckled, leaping to his feet. "I'd like to know that myself."

Maggie fell silent. "I'll take you to Nathael," Timothy said.

Minutes later, Maggie followed Timothy into the old chapel. Nathael's eyes locked onto Maggie, ensuring her safety. His worried heart began to calm.

He shouldn't have come. But how could he not? Despite their past lives, he was willing to gamble his life. Now, having tasted affection, he was even less likely to stay away.

"You arrived faster than expected," Timothy said warmly, breaking their intense gaze.

Nathael's gaze shifted, complex emotions swirling in his eyes. "What do you want?"

Timothy smiled maliciously, his eyes piercing yet unfocused, carrying icy indifference. "It's simple. You leave a finger here, and you walk out of this monastery."

Nathael's expression didn't waver, but Maggie was stunned. She tried to reach Nathael, but Toby grabbed her.

Maggie's eyes were bloodshot. "Timothy! What honor is there in using me as a pawn?"

Timothy's expression remained cold. "You said it yourself. Everything has two sides. Only glorious things don't exist in this world." He gestured to Samuel for a dagger, tossing it to Nathael. "I trust you won't let Maggie down."

As Ethan and Nathael's expressions hardened, they ignored the barrels pointed at them, aiming their own at Timothy. Nathael didn't pick up the dagger; instead, he gazed at Maggie.

Tears blurred her vision. Forcing calmness, she sobbed, "I'm not worth it."

He looked at her, a trace of tenderness in his eyes. "Close your eyes."

Three simple words, yet deep and impactful.

Maggie's tears flowed freely as she desperately shook her head. "If you do that, I'll break up with you now!"

Nathael's expression remained unchanged. "I owe him this much. It has nothing to do with you."

Instantly, Nathael turned toward the altar, avoiding Maggie's gaze. A dagger slid from his sleeve. He swiftly severed a section of his pinky finger, placing it on the altar.

"No! Please, don't" Maggie cried, struggling forward. Toby grabbed her. Maggie clawed at his face, biting his hand fiercely. All her efforts were futile. Toby, trained by the Harrises, wouldn't falter.

In a moment, Nathael's face paled, sweat beading on his forehead. His ink-black eyes were as dark as the ocean. Blood dripped from his hand; the almost imperceptible sound hammered into Maggie's heart.

She stared blankly, on the verge of passing out. The world froze; tears ceased. Her beautiful almond eyes reflected only emptiness. She stared at the severed finger, feeling her heart rip apart.

Despite a fresh start, nothing changed. It was her, wasn't it? She was dragging him down. Maybe she shouldn't have entered his life.

Timothy smiled, escorting Maggie from the chapel, bidding farewell to Nathael. "Take care, Nathael."

"Nathael!" she cried, her voice choked with emotion. The largest statue in the chapel exploded.

Dust and flames engulfed the room as the chapel collapsed in a deafening crash. Maggie watched in horror as Timothy led her to a café, witnessing the destruction of the centuries-old monastery. Dust filled the air, stones tumbled, the summit shook, the earth trembled, and the mountain roared. The earth quaked. The world seemed to tear apart.

Struggling to stand, Maggie tried to reach the chapel, but Toby held her back, pushing her onto a bench. Drawing her dagger, she stabbed him, her eyes filled with ferocious hatred. She was no match for Toby, who disarmed her easily.

Amidst the swirling dust, Timothy remained calm. He poured Maggie a cup of coffee. "What a shame! You rejected me before, but I hope you'll reconsider next time."