Chapter 715: The Feud (20) The Interception

Hannah surveyed the second floor; all eight guards were down. She wasn't certain of Manuel's fighting prowess. The man who'd grown up with her, often bullied, proved surprisingly adept. She recalled a time Susan and she had wanted to help him fight. She could vividly imagine his mocking retort. Hannah held her breath, focusing.

They descended the stairs cautiously. Numerous guards were below; some were defending the manor's perimeter. Manuel's whereabouts were unknown; he hadn't attracted the attention of the still-ordered patrol.

"Where are the guards?" the downstairs guards asked, confused.

Hannah glanced at Cian.

"Slightly behind schedule," Cian replied calmly.

The guard captain doubted this, starting towards the stairs, when a shot rang out, shattering the silence and igniting chaos.

Hannah recoiled in fear. Hundreds of guards advanced, some heading towards Manuel's shooting position. Clearly, he was deliberately creating a diversion.

Jimmy engaged, taking down guards swiftly. Cian followed suit. Hannah sensed these guards weren't intent on killing them; they hesitated, as if afraid to harm them. Jimmy and Cian quickly dispatched them and dashed for the secret tunnel.

Hannah's heart pounded. Manuel had successfully diverted the guards but hadn't rejoined them. Then, he appeared behind them, surprising Hannah. He'd skillfully led the guards away. Knowing the villa intimately, he knew where to hide and how to reach their destination.

The secret tunnel was located in a storeroom. Jimmy quickly moved a cabinet, revealing a hidden iron door.

"Cian, first," Manuel said urgently.

Cian entered. As Manuel prepared to assist Hannah, gunshots erupted in the room.

Suddenly surrounded by dozens of guards, Manuel gritted his teeth, slamming the iron door shut. He didn't lock it until confirming Cian's safe passage.

Cian watched the door close, observing the room fill with guards and seeing Manuel, Hannah, and Jimmy surrounded, but he was safe. The door's security system activated; it was impenetrable from the outside, even by explosives. He fled.

Hannah, Manuel, and Jimmy were arrested. Cian's escape hinged on his prompt entry and Manuel's swift action in locking the door. Cian escaped; the others were captured.

Manuel's phone rang. In front of everyone, he informed Oscar that Melvin had returned, then dropped the phone and weapon, surrendering.

Melvin regarded the three captives impassively. Manuel, Hannah's childhood friend, was the unexpected element. Had he come to save her? Melvin then calmly looked at the iron door. Only Cian, an insignificant figure, had escaped.

Melvin gestured to a guard.

"Surround the island. Find Cian! He won't escape!"

"Yes, Mr. Balderston."

The guards dispersed.

Melvin, looking bloodied and strained, approached Hannah and the others. Hannah braced herself, trying to remain composed.

Melvin sensed her overwhelming fear. He examined the iron door, touching it and confirming its impenetrability from the outside.

"I told you not to play tricks," Melvin said, clearly addressing Hannah.

Hannah bit her lip.

"You let me down, Hannah!" Melvin glared furiously.

"I don't want to die," Hannah responded defiantly.

"Did I say I would kill you?" Melvin raised an eyebrow. "I promised your life while I live. Did you think I was lying?"

Hannah remained silent, fearing further angering Melvin.

"Or, you had nothing to do with it? Oscar set me up?" Melvin snorted.

Hannah met his gaze.

"I'd have been set up by Oscar if I'd trusted him! He's cunning. He tempted me to kill Rowan, while sending people to save you. He could eliminate me had he succeeded in saving you. Is that true, Hannah?"

"I don't know. I just want to live," Hannah stated slowly.

"Can't you trust me once if you want to live?" Melvin suddenly pinched her chin hard.

Hannah endured the pain silently, then glared at him angrily. Manuel, about to intervene, was stopped by Melvin's gun pointed at his head.

"Try me," Melvin challenged.

"Manuel!" Hannah cried out. She knew Melvin's rage stemmed from Oscar's betrayal. Manuel remained tense, his expression ferocious.

Melvin released Hannah abruptly. Though not injured, her eyes welled with tears from the pain.

"Take them away!" Melvin strode forward.

Hannah, Manuel, and Jimmy were taken to the villa's hall, teeming with guards. Melvin's main force had returned.

Hannah saw little chance of escape. Oscar, despite his skills, couldn't save them. Cian's escape was a small victory; they'd saved Oscar's most prized asset. But she felt sorrow for the unborn child.