Chapter 575: Susan's Change
What he did solidified Susan's answer—the man before her was Manuel. But the touch vanished the next second, and she felt his gaze leave her. She longed to call out his name. He seemed to recede, drifting further away.
Fear gripped her; she felt Manuel abandoning her. Insecurity gnawed at her. She couldn't determine whether she feared imminent death or his desertion. She struggled frantically.
Manuel, seemingly composed, followed instinct and chose the red wire, accepting shared death if wrong. He lifted the knife, severing the wire with a decisive cut.
The ticking stopped. He'd succeeded. The bomb hadn't detonated. Soaked in sweat, he collapsed, relief washing over him. He’d expected to be obliterated alongside Susan.
Gasping for breath, he helped her remove the bomb, then attempted to carry her away. Suddenly, the silent timer resumed its ticking.
Manuel froze, turning back to the bomb. Thirty seconds remained. It was a serial bomb; the timer restarted ten seconds after each wire cut, leaving him no further recourse.
He grabbed the bomb and fled the warehouse. Susan only felt the rush of wind as he vanished.
What had gone wrong?
From the initial ordeal to a distant explosion—neither near nor far—Susan remained unaware of the events unfolding. The blast shook the warehouse, but she was unharmed.
She felt shattered. What had transpired? Where was Manuel?
She tried to rise, but her bonds held her fast. Time stretched. Then, someone removed her blindfold.
Henry stood before her.
How could it be Henry? Where was Manuel? Shouldn't Manuel be here?
"Susan? Susan?" Henry's voice was laced with alarm. He was shocked by her abduction and her condition. Her pallor and bruises were evident. Anxiously, he removed the gag and earplugs.
It took time for Susan to regain her bearings. She searched for Manuel, but he was gone.
"Susan," Henry said, his voice gentle, "It's okay. I'm here. I won't let you get hurt again. Don't be scared, my love."
He held her, but his warmth couldn't penetrate her chilling fear. She continued to search for Manuel, convinced he'd been there.
"It's okay. I'll take you home." He held her close, then carried her out.
"Where's Manuel?" Susan asked.
Henry stared, speechless.
"Did you see Manuel?" she pressed.
"You're alone," Henry replied, his voice sharp. "Did Manuel kidnap you?"
No! Manuel saved me! she thought.
"I'll call the police," Henry said, reaching for his phone.
Susan grabbed his hand. "How did you get here? How did you know I was here?" She needed answers, suspecting Manuel's involvement.
"An unknown number called, saying you were here. I doubted it, but couldn't reach you, so I came. Fortunately, you're safe. What happened?" he asked anxiously.
Doubt clouded Susan's mind, casting a shadow over her rescuer’s identity.
"Let me take you home first," Henry said, lifting her.
Susan offered no resistance, resting in his arms, her gaze fixed on his worried face. A sadness she couldn't explain settled over her.
He took her home, forgoing a hospital visit; her injuries were not severe. He stayed, tucking her into bed.
With her eyes closed, she thought of Manuel and her unknown savior, sleep eluding her.
"Henry," she whispered.
"Yes? I'm here," he replied, holding her hand.
"You can go now. I'm fine."
"Susan..."
"I'm fine. You have an important meeting tomorrow, right? Go home and rest."
"I can't leave you alone."
"It was an accident," she said lightly. "Just go."
He hesitated, torn between his concern and her wish for solitude. Sensing her desire for space, he rose. "Sleep tight. Call if you're scared. I'll come."
"Okay," she murmured.
Once gone, his anger ignited. He sensed a shift in Susan's dependence, recalling her frantic search for Manuel, her evident fear of losing him.
Fists clenched, suspicion hardened. He suspected Manuel's involvement, enraged by his own ignorance of the night's events.