Chapter 289 Rescued

The footsteps grew louder, and Meryl’s eyes flew open in surprise.

She saw Chandler appear at the top of the stairs, rushing toward her with determined strides. She blinked in disbelief, almost thinking she was imagining it. His figure was moving so quickly that it was a blur.

Meryl thought, “It’s really him! Chandler! He’s come to save me!”

Tears welled up in Meryl’s eyes as if she were seeing an angel descend.

Chandler yanked the cloth out of her mouth and shot a quick glance at the bomb nearby.

“Don’t be scared, I’m here,” Chandler said, his voice calm and reassuring.

Meryl had struggled hopelessly against the tight bindings, but Chandler worked his magic in no time, freeing her hands. She suddenly remembered Chandler’s ten years of police academy training; such skills must have been routine for him.

“We don’t have much time. We need to get out of here, fast.” Chandler was brief and to the point. He gently reassured Meryl, “Can you walk? If not, hold on to my neck. I’ll carry you.”

Without waiting for a response, Chandler bent down and scooped her up into his arms. Meryl’s body was freezing, but Chandler’s embrace was like a furnace. The warmth was almost addictive, and she instinctively snuggled closer to him.

Meryl asked, “There’s a bomb, and time’s running out. Aren’t you afraid?”

“I am, but if I hadn’t come, you’d be even more scared.”

Chandler moved with lightning speed, not a hint of hesitation. With the clock ticking down, he dashed down the stairs, holding Meryl effortlessly as if the stairs were flat ground.

Meryl clung tightly to Chandler’s neck, determined not to be a burden.

“Idiot, if we don’t make it, you’ll die too.”

“Doesn’t matter. This lousy life of mine–you saved it once before.”

Meryl felt a lump in her throat. She had saved him ten years ago, just a spur-of-the-moment decision, and she would have helped anyone in that situation. But Chandler remembered it all the way to now.

With the bomb threat, everyone downstairs had already evacuated. Chandler and Meryl were the last to escape.

Just as they cleared the crumbling building, a series of popping sounds erupted from several floors up. Thick smoke billowed out. Meryl blinked in confusion.

She thought, “Is this the bomb? Are you sure it’s not just firecrackers? The explosion seems… underwhelming.”

Chandler placed Meryl into the car and, hearing the noise, glanced back with a smirk. He smirked as he looked at the handcuffed kidnappers being subdued by the police.

“Damn it! I got played!” The kidnappers, now in handcuffs and shoved into a police car, were cursing furiously. “You filthy crooks! What a scam!”

The so-called “bomb” they’d paid a fortune for turned out to be a dud–barely more than a firecracker.

Chandler bent over to fasten Meryl’s seatbelt. His fingers brushed against hers, and he noticed they were cold. He quickly retrieved a blanket from the backseat and wrapped it around her, ensuring she was warm and secure.