Chapter 272
Even After Death
Marina could feel everyoneâs gaze even though she couldnât see.
She cried for help, âEthan! Dad! Help me! You have to save me. I donât want to die.â
Olivia wasnât feeling good. She had yet to eat breakfast, and her stomach had been aching for a while.
Her forehead was covered in sweat, making the ocean breeze feel more chilly.
She didnât have the energy to call for help like Marina. The rope around her waist made it hard for her
to breathe. She was sure the outcome would be the same either way.
Ethan chose Marina a year ago, and she knew his choice wouldnât change. She wasnât disappointed
because she never had any hope to begin with.
As she was in despair and thinking of her chances of escaping, she heard some noise. The audio from
the audienceâs side was being broadcasted to them.
Chloeâs weeping was especially loud. âMarina, Olivia, are you two okay?â
Olivia slowly opened her lifeless eyes. She tried to look toward Chloeâs voice even though she was
blindfolded.
Chloeâs voice further intensified Marinaâs emotions. She cried, âMom, please save me!â
âDonât worry, Marina. Your dad will get you out of this.â
Oliviaâs stomach was in a lot of pain. Her lips were chapped. She licked them, but she didnât say a
word.
She realized that she cared more about Chloeâs choice than Ethanâs. Chloe was her mother, after all.
Olivia touched her phone watch, feeling uneasy.
She was like a student waiting for her grades, anxious and unsettled.
In her mind, even though Chloe had abandoned her for so many years, she was still just Marinaâs
stepmother. Surely, she would pick her biological daughter over her stepdaughter, right?
The answer should have been obvious, but Olivia was so nervous she could barely breathe.
Chloe pleaded in a shaky voice, âI beg of you, please let my daughters go. Theyâve never done you any
harm. If you want money, just name your price. Weâll give you any amount you want. Just donât hurt
them. We can give you anything you want.â Chloeâs sorrowful voice shook Olivia. Olivia knew Chloe
had never experienced much hardships in her life. She must be so terrified now. She also had a heart
condition. Olivia was worried that she might faint.
Even she didnât realize that she was only thinking of Chloe.
Ethan finally spoke up. âWhat do you want?â
He felt very uncertain. He hoped that the people who kidnapped Olivia and Marina werenât the ones
who were after him.
If it was, Olivia and Marina would be doomed. They might even die horrible deaths.
The incident was being streamed on the internet. It matched those peopleâs way of doing things. Those
people excelled at creating commotions. They liked to humiliate, torture, and even dismember their
victims publicly.
Ethan had experienced countless trials and tribulations in his life. He had forged an indomitable will
over the years. But he was trembling right now. Every single one of his fingers were shaking
uncontrollably.
He had seen many dead bodies, and he was prepared to die at any time. But he didnât want the people
close to him to experience such misfortune.
He spent many years trying to leave his dark past behind. It took great effort for him to become who he
was. He didnât know how he was exposed.
He wondered if he had attracted the attention of those people when he went to the island to save Olivia
and Connor.
He knew there was no point in pondering about that. He tried his best to hide all traces of worry and
fear on his face. The guests were all panicking, but they saw Ethan standing with his hands behind his
back.
Ethan said calmly, âLet them go. Your demands will be fulfilled.â