Chapter 1218: Told you it wouldn’t work.

"I said do it!"

Hugo flinched slightly before nodding. "Fine, fine. I’ll do it."

"Keep your hands in the air where I can see them while you walk away," the man warned, pressing the knife closer to Atlas’s neck until a thin line of blood dripped from his skin. "Don’t even think about trying anything."

"I’m not," Hugo exhaled, keeping his hands raised as he carefully turned. Each step was slow, ensuring his hands remained visible. However, with his back to the man, his eyes darted around, calculating his next move.

As Hugo moved cautiously, the man followed, keeping Atlas under his blade.

"They won’t untie them," Atlas murmured, keeping pace despite the sting on his neck. "Even if you kill me, they won’t."

"Stop talking!"

"I’m telling you, you’re wasting your time." Despite the pain, Atlas turned his head slightly, letting the blade graze his skin. "Do you know why?"

The man didn’t answer, his gaze locking onto Atlas’s—eyes unshaken, void of fear.

"Because the person left with your friends is my sister," Atlas clarified. "She’s probably planning my murder right now, so if she hears I’m being held hostage and that releasing your friends is the only way to save me, she’d probably help you behead me."

"What—"

"I’m not joking," Atlas added, looking away. "You’ll see."

The man furrowed his brows, his grip tightening. However, assuming Atlas was just trying to distract him, he quickly shifted his gaze back to Hugo—only to realize Hugo was already a step away from the intercom.

"Make the call," the man ordered. "Now!"

Keeping one hand raised, Hugo reached for the telephone and carefully placed it to his ear. With his free hand, he pressed a button.

"Uh... Penny," Hugo exhaled, his voice ringing through the aircraft. "Someone got First Brother. Looks like we missed one."

The man nodded in satisfaction, jerking his chin at Hugo to continue.

"He’s demanding that we release his team. Now."

"You’ve got a few minutes before I stab this guy to death!" the man shouted. "Don’t even think about stalling."

"Do not stall. Just do it," Hugo repeated before setting the intercom back in place. Raising his hands again, he locked eyes with the man. "I did what you asked. Now keep that knife away from his neck."

"Hah! Stay back!" The man barked while backing away. "Stay where you are. Until they’re released, you’re not moving an inch."

"Hugo," Atlas called, his voice calm despite the situation. "If he kills me, make sure his life becomes a living hell."

"No," Hugo whispered, his gaze never leaving the man. "He’s not going to kill you."

Hugo’s focus sharpened on the knife in the man’s hand, watching as the distance between them grew. His fists clenched, his mind racing through possible strategies to free Atlas without putting him in further danger.

The man finally reached the wall, pressing his back against it with Atlas still in front of him as a shield. He knew someone would come soon to confirm his team had been released. But he didn’t want to risk it. To ensure no one could approach him from behind, he positioned himself near the entrance and the emergency exit.

And he was right—just moments later, someone arrived from the same direction Hugo and Atlas had come from.

The man tensed, quickly pressing the blade closer to Atlas’s neck, his glare landing on the newcomer.

Penny.

She skidded to a halt, scanning the situation. Her eyes flickered from Hugo to Atlas, then to the man holding him hostage. Unlike Hugo, Penny didn’t look panicked or concerned. Instead, she tilted her head slightly, narrowing her eyes as if analyzing the scene.

"What?!" the man barked. "What are you looking at?! Did you release them?"

"No."

"What? Didn’t you hear your brother? Release my men, or I’ll kill him!"

"Do it."

Her response was instant—so quick it was as if she didn’t even need to think. She pointed to a spot on her own throat and ran a finger across it.

"If you slice him right here, he’ll die instantly. The best part? You won’t even have to apply much force. It’s a soft spot, so even with your trembling hands, it’ll get the job done."

The man’s expression twisted, watching Penny roll her eyes at him.

"I’m helping you do it properly!" she scoffed, clapping her hands together. "Don’t you get it? With how nervous you are and where you’re aiming, a single stab won’t be enough to kill him. He’s gonna survive! You’ll have to stab him a few more times, but considering my second brother is standing right there, you’ll be dead before you even land your second strike."

"See?" Atlas smirked at the man. "Told you it wouldn’t work."

The man’s face burned red at Atlas’s smug expression. His little sister was literally giving him instructions on how to kill Atlas, and yet the supposed victim was acting proud about it.

"Stop this nonsense!" The man’s voice thundered, his eyes darting between Penny and Hugo—completely missing how much closer Hugo had gotten. "I’m not joking! Release my men now, or I’ll kill him!"

He turned back to Penny, pressing the knife against Atlas’s throat again. But Penny’s expression didn’t waver.

"I agree. Enough nonsense." Suddenly, a new voice echoed through the space.

Zoren.

He emerged from the other cabin, dragging an unconscious man by the ankle. When he reached Penny, he dropped the man’s leg with a thud and turned his gaze to the hostage-taker.

"What are you..."

"Hehe." Penny giggled, shifting her focus back to the man. "Did you really think you were the only one capable of hijacking and taking hostages? If you can do it, we can too! After all, you only have one hostage. We have a few."

"Now, let him go," Zoren added, placing a foot on the unconscious man’s forehead, "or I’ll crush his skull. If he dies, I’ll drag another one out and do the same. Even if you stab Atlas, know that your fate afterward will be far worse than a life sentence for hijacking this plane."