Bella and Drew were speechless.
They could read the displeasure in Asherâs tone.
Was Asher standing up for Arnold?
Ryan, the eldest grandson of Logan Hoffman, lived a privileged life for far too long. There was no need
for him to ever read the room.
Even if he was oblivious to social cues, he could read the anger on Asherâs face. He smiled awkwardly
and said, âI-I was just asking. Iâm sure you would have invited a highly talented and capable doctor. I
shouldnât have questioned that.â
âMr. Hoffman, Dr. Larson is a better doctor than me. Donât worry. Theâ, surgery will be a success.â
Bella started sobbing, her eyes welling up. âOnce Justin pulls throy the surgery, I need a consultation
with Dr. Larson since heâs an ex in neurology. He might be able to help with the medical complications
Justin may face.â
Her voice, filled with heart-wrenching guilt, trailed off.
Ryanâs breath hitched.
He did not have the right words to comfort her. The last thing he wanted was to make things worse.
âFuck⦠Itâs Winstonâs fault.â
Ryan rolled his sleeves in rage, the veins along his arms bulging with strength. âIs the bastard in the
car? Let me have a go at him before heâs transported back.â
A long line of cars surged into the parking lot and headed toward them.
A screech of tires against the floor pierced the air, followed by a crushing weight of tension.
âWeâve got company.â Asher put his arm around Bellaâs waist and frowned.
âThey did not come in peace, for sure.â
Bella stared coldly at the people getting out of the car.
A middle-aged man, likely in his fifties, stood in command, his police uniform bearing the insignia of at
least a chief.
Behind him was a group of uniformed police officers.
They surrounded Bellaâs group, narrowing their eyes dangely at them.
Drew and Ryan stayed on high alert, ready to fight.
âMgh! Ugh, mff!â
Tied up and gagged, Winston recognized the chief police officer a good friend of his boss. He cried for
help desperately and wiggled the car, rocking the car to catch his saviorâs attention.
âUgh!â
Without another word, Drew pulled out a dagger and stabbed Winston in the thigh.
Winston winced in pain, but his screams could not escape his throat. He shuddered with utter anguish.
âYouâd better stay put.â
Drew put the dagger away. As his eyes squinted, he flicked the ashes off and put the cigarette back
into his mouth. âYou best believe I have a thousand ways of torturing you without leaving a trace.
Brutality is my middle name.â
Winston shivered, and fear numbed his senses from the pain.
He found Drew to be the most terrifying. That man was the devil.
Winston had witnessed Drew pulling out various secret weapons throughout the journey.
Drew had a lot up his sleeve.
Most importantly, Drew was not afraid of using these weapons.
âWe received a tip-off that you have taken one of our import hostages.â