Carmen was on the verge of collapse when Felicia’s call came through. Her eyes lit up, and she answered quickly. Felicia’s voice, laced with amusement, filled the speaker. “Why aren’t you back yet? I’ve cooked three dishes and a soup. Now I’m just waiting for your appetizer.”

Carmen’s nose tingled; tears welled up. Forgetting everything, she screamed desperately, “Felicia, don’t come out! Stay inside! Someone wants to kill you!”

Before she could finish, someone slapped the phone from her hand, shattering the screen. The call ended abruptly.

Calvin had caught her, grabbing her hair and yanking her backward. She cried out, her mind racing. Remembering the knife in her pocket, she stabbed him in the thigh. Blood poured out. The wound wasn't deep, but he screamed and released her, lacking the strength to withstand the pain.

She threw a small ball from her pocket, but in her panic, forgot to disengage the safety. The poison remained inside. Calvin kicked the ball away, his anger evident. He lunged at her again, with deadly intent.

She was only steps from the door. If she didn't escape, she would die. Felicia would soon come looking for her, placing her in danger. Carmen cared only about reaching Felicia. How she broke free from Calvin's grip, she didn't know. She had to get to Felicia!

She bolted out the fire escape and saw Felicia approaching from the opposite building. “Felicia! Don’t! Turn back!” she screamed hoarsely. She felt the sniper's crosshairs on Felicia.

Felicia, hearing her voice and seeing Carmen's terrified, disheveled, blood-stained appearance, rushed toward her, crying, “Who did this to you?”

It was too late. Carmen dashed forward, throwing herself in front of Felicia, knocking her to the ground. Bang! A bullet shattered the window, aimed at them.

The sequence—Carmen escaping, throwing herself in front of Felicia—took less than three seconds. Felicia’s back slammed against the ground, Carmen practically on top of her.

“Good thing I was first in the physical test… Good thing… I made it in time…” Carmen smiled weakly, her eyes closing.

Felicia's heart leaped. She saw blood falling from Carmen's head. “Carmen…” She touched the back of Carmen's head, feeling the bullet wound.

Looking up, through the opened curtains of the seventh-floor apartment, she saw a towering figure with a rifle. Felicia's eyes burned with fury.