Chapter 200

Everyone's hearts leaped into their throats. Nina screamed, terrified she would die. Jessie and Ethan were shocked. Their car was close to Jonathan's, but even speeding wouldn't have helped in time.

A massive lion, as large as a truck, sprang at Jonathan, claws extended like razor-sharp steel blades. Its ferocious roar echoed across the prairie. Its fangs, stained with blood, were terrifying. It charged, unstoppable.

A gunshot rang out, followed by five more rapid shots. With each shot, a lion fell. The lion attacking Jonathan was hit in the forehead, collapsing onto his car, nearly crushing it. Within seconds, all the surrounding lions were down. Most were shot in the eyes or brain; others, though wounded, were unable to attack, gasping for breath.

Everyone was stunned. Jessie, her mouth agape, asked Ethan, "Waswas that Cynthia?"

Ethan, shaken, nodded firmly. "It was Cynthia. That was incredible."

Nina stood in shock, tears streaming down her face. Preston watched Cynthia, who was clutching the car door, a golden handgun in hand, her body half out of the vehicle. His face was filled with admiration. Moments before, she'd urged him to drive closer; then, she'd drawn her weapon and fired several precise shots from a moving car at moving targets. Her decisiveness and composure impressed Preston; he thought she looked unbelievably cool.

The drone followed Preston. Jonathan had previously bypassed the information blockade, so the footage was live-streamed.

[Wait a minute, weren't we watching a variety show? How did this become a movie?] [Seriously! Those are real lions! Look, some are still breathing!] [Cynthia fired six shots, all hitting their mark. Is she a sharpshooter?] [Wow, she was so cool, like a cold-blooded assassin!] [Maybe she is one. Did anyone notice her wiping her fingerprints after the last shot?] [Maybe assassin work is slow, so she's doing a TV show?] [Cynthia: It's the off-season. I take what I can get.] [A client paid five million dollars, without mentioning the TV show.]

FlowerSmile: [Impossible! It's all scripted! The show's crew is shameless! Cynthia a sharpshooter? I'll eat dirt live if it's true!] [FlowerSmile, I'm following you. Let me know when you go live.]

The crisis was over. Everyone exited the cars. Nina finally understood. She ran to Jonathan's vehicle, amazed he had come for her and risked his life to save her. A second later, and the lions might have torn her apart. Mr. Bennett he still cares about me most, she thought.

Tears flowed uncontrollably. She wanted to embrace him, to tell him how much she missed him, how scared she was, and how grateful she felt.

Cynthia and Preston also exited their car. Jonathan, still shaken, was there. When the lion lunged, he'd braced for impact, but his chances were slim. Cynthia's marksmanship was unexpected; her aim was impeccable. He saw her approach, arms outstretched.

Nina saw Jonathan's outstretched arms and was stunned. Is he finally showing his true feelings? she thought. She hurried toward him, arms open wide.

Jonathan ran toward her, but then, he ran past her, straight to Cynthia, pulling her into a tight embrace. He held her so tightly she stumbled backward. Though taller, he seemed childlike, resting his head on her shoulder.

Cynthia gasped, "Jonathan, let me go! I can't breathe! I just saved you!"

Before she could finish, Jonathan kissed her. Cynthia was speechless.