Chapter 170

Chapter 170

Brian stood across the street on the second–floor balcony, his fingers delicately adjusting the grip on his pistol before raising it again. His aim settled on a figure in the crowd below, Kellan. With a light squeeze of the trigger, the bullet whizzed past Kellan’s ear, a near miss that sliced through the air.

Uriah and the other of Kellan’s entourage, who had followed behind Kellan and Natalie not far off, noticed the disturbance and immediately began pushing against the flow of people, trying to get to the source of the threat.

Instinctively, Kellan spun around, shielding Natalie within his arms amidst the chaos. His eyes searched for the direction of the gunshot.

There was Brian, standing on the opposite balcony, a cold, mocking smile on his lips as he looked down upon Kellan with icy disdain. To Brian, Kellan was nothing more than an ant, and he relished the power he held over such insignificant beings.

Brian would make Kellan pay for daring to lay a finger on his woman.

Uriah and the rest quickly drove up, and Kellan, never one to hesitate, urged Natalie toward them, insisting she get in the car first for her safety. The pandemonium Brian had caused had sent people scattering in all directions, and Kellan feared Natalie might get hurt in the fray.

When Natalie finally realized the gravity of the situation, she looked up to where Brian stood, bathed in backlight, his presence chilling to the bone.

Brian caught Natalie’s gaze and held it. He intended to teach her the consequences of defiance. Brian raised his gun once more, this time aiming for Kellan’s shoulder. His focus never left Natalie, not even as he fired.

As the third gunshot echoed, Brian swiftly turned and disappeared from the balcony’s view.

Stunned, Natalie shook off Uriah’s grasp and dashed toward Kellan. His arm was bleeding profusely from the wound, yet he seemed oblivious to the pain. His cold eyes followed Brian’s retreating figure, his hand inching toward the gun holstered at his back.

Before he could draw it, Natalie was there, holding down his arm, using her body to block the line of sight from Brian’s henchmen on the balcony. “Are you out of your mind?” she hissed. “Exposing yourself in broad daylight like this?”

Brian’s message had been clear. It was a warning. He hadn’t intended to kill Kellan, but if Kellan dared retaliate, Brian would be a dead man.

Their eyes locked, a complex exchange passing between them. When Kellan looked back toward the balcony, Brian was gone.

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turning to look at Kellan inside.

Fortunately, the wound wasn’t severe. After a quick patch–up at the hospital, the bleeding had stopped.

They shared a silent, lingering gaze before Natalie’s voice softened. “Take care of yourself when you get back, okay? And don’t forget to return for a check–up.”

Kellan remained silent for a while before responding in a low voice, “You said one year.

“I’ve given you a year. If Brian keeps this up, I’ll take his life without a second thought.”

He couldn’t bear to hurt Natalie. In the face of danger, it was evident who she cared about more. If he killed Brian, Natalie would hate him.

Natalie started to speak again, but Kellan gestured for Uriah to close the car door

Standing there, stunned, Natalie watched the taillights of Kellan’s car disappear into the night. She knew she had angered him and let him down. It was supposed to be a happy reunion after nearly a month apart, a simple dinner together, nothing more.

With a heavy sigh, she turned and walked back into the hotel. When she entered the lobby, the manager hurried over with urgency. “Excuse me, are you Miss Natalie?” he asked in a low

voice.

Natalie met his gaze, nodded, and replied, “Yes, that’s me.”

Chapter 171