Chapter 146

Gunfire echoed across the skyline. Local residents, accustomed to such sounds, assumed it was another film crew shooting at the abandoned building. They had no idea the scene unfolding inside was far more dramatic than any movie.

Ten minutes earlier, Asher had arrived precisely on time. Reaching the twenty-sixth floor, the sight that greeted him chilled him to the bone. Thalia was covered in blood, her face bruised purple and red. Malfoy held her by the throat, her feet dangling as she struggled for breath, her face turning crimson from lack of oxygen. Beneath her was the crumbling edge of the unfinished building, lacking a railing. If Malfoy released his grip, Thalia would plummet.

Even Asher, with his renowned self-control, couldn't remain calm. His heart ached, his breath catching in his throat.

Malfoy tightened his grip, suspended Thalia, and turned to Asher with a raised eyebrow. "Well, well... look who's arrived on schedule."

Asher's throat constricted, his mouth tasting of blood. He struggled to keep his voice steady. "Put her down first."

"Bit worried, are we?" Malfoy's eyes gleamed with amusement, his grip unchanged. Seeing Thalia struggling, her complexion worsening as she neared asphyxiation, Asher felt a raw, agonizing pain.

Asher's hoarse voice cut through the tension. "I've come alone as you requested. Let her go."

Malfoy smiled casually, turning his gaze to Thalia. She was bloodied, her face purple, barely clinging to life. He shifted his grip, moved away from the edge, and tossed her to the floor like trash.

"You—" Asher's forehead veins bulged as he instinctively moved toward Thalia. A gunshot rang out.

"Not so fast," Malfoy toyed with his gun, his eyes cold. The bullet struck the ground at Asher's feet, a warning. "Let my men confirm you've come alone first," Malfoy said with a smile. "If you've tried anything clever, neither of you will leave here alive."

Asher stood still, radiating icy intensity. He remained silent. After a moment, one of Malfoy's men approached. "He's alone, boss."

Malfoy acknowledged with a sound, his gaze mocking. "Quite the bloody Romeo, aren't you?"

"Will you release her now?" Asher's tone was frigid.

Malfoy raised an eyebrow, smiling. "But of course."

Thalia had already lost consciousness. Asher knelt beside her to check her injuries. "Why involve her in our feud? She's innocent—why harm her?"

Malfoy curved his lips into a cruel smile. "Because... she's your woman."

"Nothing makes me happier than seeing you suffer, Asher," Malfoy taunted.

Asher kept his head down, his fists clenched, murderous intent flashing in his eyes. He suppressed his rage as he performed CPR. Thalia finally regained consciousness.

"A...sher..." Her voice was barely recognizable.

Asher's heart clenched. "Lia..."

Thalia opened her eyes, registering joy, then quickly shifting to worry and alarm. "Why did you come? Go—get out now! Don't worry about me!" she rasped.

"Lia..." Asher's expression was deeply moved.

Malfoy clapped his hands, looking at Asher and Thalia with a mocking tone. "How bloody touching, truly."

Asher raised his head. "Take me instead. Send someone to escort her away."

Malfoy's smile was cruelly beautiful. "Tsk, tsk. Shouldn't lovers face hardship together? Why the separate escape plans when disaster strikes?"

Asher ignored him. He carefully lifted Thalia into his arms. She had multiple cuts, not deep but bleeding, staining her clothes red. Asher's heart shattered.

"I'm taking her downstairs," Asher stated coldly, brooking no argument. "You arrange for someone to escort her away."

As he spoke, he swiftly moved to the side, still holding Thalia. Simultaneously, a red dot appeared on Malfoy's forehead. Similar dots appeared on his men's foreheads and chests.

"You brought fucking snipers?" Malfoy roared, noticing the red dots.

Asher's lips curled in contempt. Malfoy's henchmen exchanged bewildered glances, clearly surprised.

"Bloody hell, I thought he came alone! Who checked?" one henchman cursed.

"He was definitely alone when we looked," another replied.

"Then where the bloody hell did these snipers come from?"

"Well..."

Malfoy, experienced in such situations, quickly composed himself, shrugging nonchalantly. "That's more like it. This is the Asher I know. If you'd truly come alone to die for a woman, you wouldn't be worthy of being my adversary." But his demeanor suggested he had anticipated this.

Now Malfoy was exposed, while Asher's forces remained hidden. Beyond the snipers, Malfoy had no idea what other resources Asher had monitoring the situation. The tables had turned. Yet Malfoy appeared completely unfazed.

A helicopter approached, hovering outside the twenty-sixth floor. The helicopter and the rising sun were in the same direction. Thalia turned to look, squinting against the glare. Then:

"Sister..." She heard a familiar voice filled with terror.

Thalia's eyes flew open in shock. Lucy was being held by a muscular man, dangling helplessly. They were close enough that Thalia could clearly see the fear on Lucy's face. Thalia's blood ran cold.

After Thalia's disappearance, Randolph and Victoria had frantically searched for her, leaving Lucy unattended at the Winters estate. Victoria had put Lucy to bed before leaving, but shortly after, Malfoy's men had broken in and abducted her. Malfoy had brought mercenaries from Russia. The men who kidnapped Lucy were professionally trained military operatives—ordinary security guards were no match for them.

Malfoy looked at Thalia and Asher with a smile. "What do you think... if we dropped her from here, what state would she be in when she hit the ground?"

"No! Don't touch her!" Thalia screamed hoarsely.

"Hah!" Malfoy laughed. "Tell your man," he said to Thalia, "to let all of us leave, or your sister will be smashed to a pulp before your eyes."