Melvin stared at Cian, his face drawn. "Stop him!" he ordered.

As the guards lunged toward Cian, he shouted, "Who dares!" He produced a grenade, terrifying the guards and Melvin alike.

Melvin glared at Cian, sensing death in his eyes. There was no hope, only desperate death. He wasn't like Hannah, who had once been willing to sacrifice herself for love. Melvin wouldn't fulfill Cian's wish to perish together; Cian was still a stranger to him.

As Melvin turned to leave, Cian blocked his path. No one dared stop Cian, given the explosive bag and grenade. The villa was rigged with numerous bombs, leaving no chance of survival. Fighting a man unafraid of death was an uphill battle.

Melvin's escape failed. Facing Cian, he offered a grim smile. "Let them go!" Cian warned.

Melvin's face fell. He stared evilly at Cian, suddenly feeling like he didn't know this man. He believed Cian was Harry, an old friend.

In that moment, Melvin realized Harry must have known Oscar; otherwise, Oscar wouldn't have known he and Hannah were on the island. "Hannah, you've been scheming against me!" Melvin shouted. "This was a trap, to let Harry sell this place to me, wasn't it?"

"So what?" Cian replied. "Do you fancy Hannah?"

Melvin lost his composure.

"What a dirty mind you have, Melvin! A man your age, lusting after a married woman!" Cian sneered.

"Shut up!"

"Feeling ashamed? An old man lusting after a married woman," Cian taunted.

"I SAID SHUT UP!" Melvin raised his gun.

Melvin couldn't accept his growing affection for Hannah. He refused to allow any relationship to spiral out of control, hence his distrust and inability to love.

Cian stared unflinchingly at the gun. "We all perish together when you pull that trigger!"

"I'm not afraid!" Melvin trembled with rage.

"Oh, yes you are! And so am I!"

Cian advanced, step by step. A single step from Melvin, he pulled the trigger. He hadn't expected to live long, weary of betrayal and deceit. Death might be a relief. But then he saw Hannah in the corner, still caught in the web. One last look before death would have been a comfort. Sorrow filled him as he squeezed the trigger, but the gun lifted.

A guard raised his hand, redirecting the gun towards the ceiling. Panic reigned, yet no one wanted to die. The guard had betrayed his master.

Melvin glared. "Get lost!"

"Sorry, Mr. Balderston! I can't let you end our lives!" The guard held Melvin's hand tighter, causing the gun to fall.

"You intend to defy me?"

Melvin’s eyes burned with betrayal. The leader didn't answer, but his defiance was clear.

"Are you Oscar's man? When were you bought?" Melvin demanded.

"Now," the leader replied.

Melvin's face fell. The leader had been loyal, never compromised by Oscar. He would have killed Oscar and reported it. His intent now was to stop Melvin. The guards had served the Balderston family for decades, yet Melvin had never considered them. He intended to drag them down with him. The leader knew he faced ruin, but he had no choice.

"Fuck!" Melvin's eyes blazed.

"We should celebrate this day, Melvin…" Cian said.

As Cian spoke, Melvin grabbed him, pulling the pin on the detonator. They stared at each other, grim smiles on their faces. Melvin wouldn't let anyone escape.

No one would survive!

Cian, gritting his teeth, shackled Melvin. He dragged him from the house, using every ounce of strength. Hannah and Manuel watched. Cian was creating distance, giving them a chance.

Manuel rushed towards them.

As he approached, the bomb exploded. The house shuddered. The blast wave tossed Manuel back. Hannah, huddled in a corner, was also struck. Tears streamed down her face as she clutched herself.