Chapter 459 Fighting for an Opportunity for Anne
Lucas snapped the metal lighter shut, the sunlight casting fragmented spots of light on his chiseled profile.
"In ten minutes, there'll be a stretcher in the elevator. You take Edward through the fire escape. I'll distract the eyes at the main entrance."
I glanced at Edward lying on the hospital bed. The steady beeping of the heart monitor echoed in the room, his pale face almost blending into the pillow. My fingers brushed against the bloodstained corner of the blanket, the rough texture making me pause before smoothing it out.
"What about Anne?"
Lucas's gaze flicked over Edward's blood-soaked bandages, his Adam's apple bobbing violently. He stared at the dark red seeping from the bandage, suddenly loosening his tie, the silver tie clip clinking against the buttons.
"Anne can't be taken."
The smell of disinfectant became overwhelming. I knew every word could set him off, but the image of Anne curled up in the hospital room wouldn't leave my mind.
"Anne knows a lot about Nicholas and Jeffrey's deals. Someone will definitely try to kill her because if she testifies."
"Testify?" Lucas sneered, the metal lighter spinning rapidly between his fingers, the flame flickering as the scar on his hand seemed to come alive. He stepped closer, the hem of his suit brushing against the bedside table, knocking over a glass jar of cotton swabs.
"You want me to protect the enemy?"
Lucas yanked the curtains open with force, the metal rings screeching along the track. The parking lot lights below flickered, reflecting the darkness swirling in his eyes.
"Leave her here as bait. Those eyes will only focus on her."
The monitor's beeping suddenly sped up. I stared at Edward's weakly rising chest, remembering Anne's bruised body curled up on the bed last time, my throat feeling like it was injected with solidified blood.
"She's also controlled by Nicholas. Nicholas never treated her like a person; she was just his plaything..."
"Enough!"
Lucas hurled the lighter at the wall, the metal clashing loudly, startling the monitor into a sharp alarm.
I trembled violently, my back slamming into the medical cabinet behind me. The metal handle on the cabinet door dug painfully into my waist, but it was nothing compared to the sudden explosion of fear in my chest. The taste of blood filled my mouth, unsure if it was from old wounds or the shock of his sudden rage. My nails dug into my palms, trying to use the pain to dispel the coldness spreading through my body, my mind flashing back to the lighter hitting the wall and the tray hitting Daryl.
Lucas's neck veins bulged with his heavy breathing.
"Don't use morality to bind me!"
Lila instinctively grabbed my wrist, I froze, my fingers still poised to smooth the blanket. My throat moved painfully, even swallowing became difficult.
Lucas's neck veins throbbed with his rapid breathing, his suit hem brushing the bed, causing the heart monitor's wires to sway slightly. The air seemed to freeze.
"Lucas." Lila's voice trembled as she walked slowly toward Lucas, her pale hand shaking as she reached for his tense arm but pulled back as if burned just before touching him. Her eyelashes fluttered, her eyes full of unease.
"Calm down, Diana didn't mean it like that."
"I'm very calm."
Lucas straightened, rubbing his temples forcefully, his brows knotted tightly. His shoulders still heaved slightly, showing his inner turmoil.
Lila turned to me, her eyes pleading silently for me to compromise. She turned back, gripping Lucas's tense wrist again, her voice barely holding back a sob.
"Anne's room isn't on the same floor as Edward's. Even if we can leave safely, she..."
"I'll get her."
I spoke suddenly, my voice trembling with tension, my heart pounding against my ribs. I stared at Lucas, trying to make my voice sound firm.
"I promise she won't be a burden. The information she has might be crucial for Edward and me to fight back."
Lucas jerked away from Lila's hand, the movement making her stumble back. But when he saw her nearly fall, his eyes flashed with panic, his fingers twitching as if to reach out but stopping halfway.
Lucas turned away, his neck veins still pulsing, his voice a suppressed growl.
"Five minutes."
Lucas pulled a spare walkie-talkie from his pocket and tossed it to me. The metal casing hit my palm, still warm from his touch.
"Go to Anne. I'll have my men meet you at the fire escape."
He paused, his gaze icy as he looked at me.
"But if she tries anything, I..."
Lucas's voice was cold enough to freeze the air.
"I'll end her myself."
Lila's tense shoulders finally relaxed, she tugged at my sleeve, her movements filled with relief.
I took the coat she handed me, wrapping it around my trembling body, the taste of blood rising in my mouth. Footsteps echoed from the end of the hallway, Lucas turned sharply, his black suit sweeping past the doorframe as he slipped out. Before leaving, I heard him speak into his Bluetooth earpiece.
"Prepare smoke grenades, seal the elevator in five minutes."
Lila gripped my hand tightly, her fingers unconsciously rubbing my palm's wound.
"Be careful."
Her voice was soft but warm.
After speaking, Lila immediately checked Edward's connected devices, her fingers quickly and carefully adjusting the heart monitor's wires, straightening the IV line, and confirming the pain pump's flow rate.
"I'll stay with Edward. Hurry back."
I took one last look at the bed, the monitor beeping steadily. Lila's eyes glistened under the cold white light. Without hesitation, I turned and ran to the fire escape, the metal door slamming against the wall. As I pushed the door open, the damp air mixed with the smell of disinfectant hit me.
The emergency lights in the fire escape flickered above, my hand gripping the walkie-talkie, slick with sweat.
The fire door on Anne's floor was rusted shut, I slammed my shoulder against it, the metal groaning. The smell of disinfectant mixed with a faint scent of blood filled the air, the hallway eerily silent.
Anne's room door was ajar, a faint light seeping through the crack. I held my breath and pushed the door open, the scene inside making my vision go black.
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