Chapter 716: The Feud (21) An Offer
Hannah remained nervously poised. Since Oscar had sent her to Melvin, she’d braced herself for any calamity. Death held no fear; she’d experienced it before. It wouldn't be miserable; she'd already avenged past wrongs.
However, her pregnancy was unexpected. A child was entering her life, and the inability to protect it, to show it the world's beauty, filled her with despair. A lump formed in her throat, but she concealed her sorrow. Instead of rebirth, she yearned for her child's unimpaired future.
Silence hung heavy in the villa. Melvin, legs crossed, sat on the sofa like a conquering king, his flinty gaze fixed on his bound captives.
"Hannah," he said abruptly, "tell me whom I should kill first?"
Hannah regarded him coldly. "You, or them?"
"Will my answer change anything once you've decided?" he challenged.
"Probably," she replied.
"Then start with me," Hannah stated.
Melvin stared. "Start with me? I don't want to see the blood."
"Aren't you afraid of death?" Melvin asked, his voice laced with malice.
"I am, but fear won't prevent it. I'd rather die quickly than suffer," Hannah said. "All my woes end with death, don't they?"
"Your wish won't be granted. Instead, you'll learn the consequences of betraying me!" Melvin's eyes narrowed. His gaze betrayed a desire to kill Jimmy first.
"Melvin!" Hannah cried out.
Melvin smiled, finally witnessing her genuine emotion. He'd pushed her to this point to see her react, weary of her impassivity. Hatred, at least, revealed something.
"What do you hope to achieve by killing us? Do you think Oscar will abandon his plan once we're dead?" she demanded.
Melvin considered this for a moment. "Well, that makes sense. I think I need to teach him a lesson."
Hannah was uncertain of his intentions.
Melvin produced his phone and called Oscar, placing the call on speaker. "Oscar, are you pleased with the trap you set for me?"
Oscar remained silent. "But I want to know how you knew I was here. How did you know I brought Hannah here and sent someone to save her?" Melvin was perplexed; the island was heavily guarded. He'd kept spies around Oscar since their previous conflict. This realization ignited his fury.
"I believe you're intelligent enough to figure it out," Oscar replied, his voice calm and controlled.
Hearing Oscar's voice, Hannah fought back tears.
"Who did you bribe?" Melvin demanded.
"Do you think I'll tell you?"
"So you don't care about Hannah's life?"
"Mr. Balderston, please remember Mrs. Balderston isn't with you," Oscar said slowly.
Melvin's face contorted. "Oscar!" he snapped.
"It's a fair exchange: Mrs. Balderston for Hannah," Oscar offered.
Melvin's face drained of color. He trembled, clutching the phone. "I wish Rowan had killed you!"
"He can't, and neither can you!" Oscar sneered. "Who you are is irrelevant. I can return your mother if you return Hannah."
"You're naive," Melvin scoffed. "Do you think I'll accept your offer?"
"So, you don't care about your mother at all."
"She won't hate me," Melvin said coldly. "She understands: one of us must die, and she chose herself."
"Very well," Oscar said, "don't forget to collect her body."
"So you don't care about Hannah either?"
"I'm busy," Oscar replied.
His words struck Hannah like an arrow. She looked down, battling to suppress the pain, failing to entirely conceal her tears.
Noticing her tears, Melvin smiled cruelly. "Oscar, what do you intend to do?"
"You'll see."
"How about," Melvin compromised, "you come to my place and we discuss this? I might release her if we reach an agreement."
"I'm not a fool. Coming means death."
"Hannah means nothing to you," Melvin accused. "Everything you did was to gain my trust?"
"Mr. Balderston, I know your location. My men are there, so you understand, I can have you killed at any moment," Oscar stated, his patience seemingly exhausted. "Release Hannah, and I won't kill you or your mother."
"I'd have nothing left even if I survived!"
"It's better to live than die."
"I disagree," Melvin retorted. "Oscar, I give you thirty minutes to reconsider. I'll release her if you come alone. Hannah is no threat, and I don't care if she lives or dies. But you've angered me. I'll stop at nothing to kill you, even if it's a suicide mission!"
Oscar remained silent.
"Think it over. Exchange Hannah and your child's life for yours. I'll return her body if you don't comply. I promise!"
Melvin hung up angrily. He looked at the now calmer Hannah. Honestly, he didn't want to kill her.
"Hannah, do you think Oscar will come for you?"
Hannah replied simply, "I think he gave you his answer, didn't he?"
Melvin frowned.
"He's busy," she stated calmly.
It was true. He had missions; dealing with her was a low priority. She didn't hate him; she'd fallen for him first. In her past life, Oscar hadn't initiated their relationship; she'd been the one to pursue him. This outcome, therefore, wasn't his fault. She simply hadn't encountered kindness before.