Balfour furrowed his brows, taking on the stance of a man ready to negotiate. âListen, Iâm quite sure I can provide you anything you desire. We live in a society governed by laws. If you harm the woman youâre holding, do you really think you can get away with it? Besides, there are two eyewitnesses right here myself and this woman. If you go through with this, youâll spend the rest of your days behind bars.
So, think hard- do you want to make a deal with me, or spend your life in a cell with no view of the sky?â
Kaelâs nostrils flared, clearly rankled by Balfourâs superior attitude.
âMr. Howard, I get it, youâre somebody! But right now, you want this woman alive, donât you? Her lifeâs in my hands, so you better listen up! You do as I say, cut the pretentious I crap. Iâm not a fool, you know?â
Margotâs heart was in her throat. She noticed Thalia was weakening under Kaelâs grip, her legs kicking feebly on the ground.
âLet go of Thalia first, then we can talk! We mean no offense â just looking to reason with you, big guy.
Could you release your grip at least? Otherwise, how can we proceed with our discussion?â Margot tried to calm Kael down.
Kael glanced at Thalia, thinking she might be already gone, and let go abruptly, only to suddenly pull her back by her shoulders.
âDonât come any closer! As long as youâre not thinking of calling the cops, I wonât hurt her! Please understand, I donât want to do this â Iâve got my reasons,â he said, his voice betraying panic and confusion.
One moment he was all bravado, the next he was pleading pitifully. Balfour frowned, unable to decipher what this man really wanted.
After all, everyone has their own troubles, but not everyone takes a path of no return like him. Isnât an innocent life valuable? Had Thalia ever wronged him?
Margot kept soothing Kaelâs temper, âOkay, okay, weâre all empathetic here. You tell us what you need, and as long as itâs within our power, weâll agree.â
Though she realized her words were emboldened by the man beside her, for her, Thaliaâs life mattered more. She couldnât care less about losing face; her priority was to stabilize the kidnapperâs emotions.
With Balfour remaining silent, Margot took the initiative, engaging Kael in conversation while Balfour watched for an opening to take the man down.
âHeh, you think I donât know what youâre up to? You just want to trick me, get me to release Thalia here, then lock me up. I know women, not a single one of you is decent!â he spat out bitterly, his words laced with venom.
Margot sensed his pain; it was clear heâd been hurt by someone.
âLook, I get it. Youâve had a rough time, maybe got burned by some dame, but you canât paint all women with the same brush! How about this, share your troubles with us, maybe we can help you get even. And besides, if a womanâs already hurt you, why walk a road I thatâll only give her more reason to gloat? Lifeâs in your own hands â thereâs no need to ruin yourself over it, right?â
Kael listened, his gaze drifting to his own hands as if seeing them for the first time, wondering what heâd become.