âJoelle!â Liza sprang to her feet, outrage flashing in her eyes. âAre you trading my life for your sonâs?â
Joelle remained unflustered. âIsnât it just the money youâre after?â With Liza now among them, there was no easy way to let her walk away.
At that moment, Callan stepped closer. âMr. Miller, Dr. Romero will be here shortly.â
Liza heard that and was thrilled. âWhat? What did you say? Rafael is coming too?â
Joelleâs patience was on the brink of collapse. âWe canât guarantee your safety. If something happens to you down the line, itâs not on us. If youâre not on board, feel free to walk away now.â
Joelle was certain Liza wouldnât budge. The chaos sheâd stirred and her desperate attempts to carry Rafaelâs child were proof that she harbored feelings for him.
Predictably, anxiety flickered across Lizaâs face. Leaving now could mean losing Rafael forever. Her heart was heavy with unsaid words, aching to be shared with him. No, leaving was out of the question.
gαâηÏνððsâ¤Ã§Ð¾m, where stories thrive Moments later, resolution hardened in Lizaâs eyes as she faced Joelle. âI accept your terms. However, I have my conditions. You need to make every effort to protect me. If I face any threat from Wade Potter, itâs on you to save me.â
âAbsolutely,â Joelle assured her with a nod.
Liza paused, a new question teetering on her lips. âAnd what about compensation? How much will you pay me?â
Her strategy was clearâgarner enough from Adrianâs end and squeeze Wade for more to secure her future comfortably. It was all a matter of donating her blood. Wade needed a reliable source for Chrisâ sake, and it was clear he wouldnât exploit her to depletion.
Shortly thereafter, Lizaâs gaze landed on Rafael. He emerged, wielding a gleaming blade and dragging Chris by the collar as he climbed out of the car. Upon receiving the update, Wade hurried to the back door.
âWade!â Chris called out.
Wade leveled his firearm at Rafael as Allie, with a swift motion, pulled out her own and aimed it squarely at Wade. Tension crackled in the air, each side steeled for confrontation. With a smirk barely containing her excitement, Allie spoke.
âRafael, isnât this just exhilarating?â
Rafaelâs eyes narrowed slightly as he met her gaze. âListen, donât do anything foolish, alright?â He tightened his grip on the knife, pressing it dangerously against the pulsing artery in Chrisâ neck.
Wadeâs finger tensed on the trigger, his gaze locked and unyielding. âIf you harm Chris, I assure you, leaving here unscathed will be impossible.â
Undeterred, Allie retorted, âThen youâll die too. I wonât hesitate.â
Chris pleaded with desperation, âWade, please, letâs stop this madness!â This was all because of him. Now Wade was a wanted man, and Ryland, caught in the crossfire, faced a dire fate. Chris grappled with his choices, uncertain for whom or what he truly existed.
âChris, hold on. I promise, youâll be safe at home soon,â Wade reassured him.
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