Chapter 494 How Many Hours Can He Hold
The doors burst open as dozens of black-suited bodyguards flooded the room. A woman in crimson stood beside Zane, her eyes cold as blades fixed on James while everyone else focused their attention on Mary and James.
"Zane, you kidnapped Christopher?" Mary's voice rang out sharply.
"Kidnapped?" Zane chuckled. "Ms. Smith, despite our differences, you shouldn't make such wild accusations. I'm a legitimate businessman conducting legal operations. How could I possibly kidnap anyone?"
Mary glared at the screen showing Christopher and snapped, "Cut the crap and release him now."
Zane ignored her demand. "Fifteen minutes ago, right when you two walked in, Christopher came to Harbor Group's office looking for me, armed with a crossbow and a bottle of gasoline."
"He wanted revenge and planned to commit arson, but security took him down." He gave Mary a meaningful look. "To prevent any danger, security tied him up. I was just wondering if the ropes might accidentally break..."
"Ms. Smith, Sovereign City is Mr. Lowe's territory. You're no match for him," taunted Katya, sitting beside Zane, her delicate hands tapping her leg. "If you're smart, you'll get on your knees and beg for mercy."
"If you harm Christopher, I will never let you get away with it," Mary shot back. Though she thought Christopher had acted rashly, her priority remained his safety.
"Besides, no matter how impulsive his actions were, you have no right to punish him. Only the police can handle this." Her eyes turned deadly. "Zane, let me remind you—you're not above the law. Put Christopher down right now!"
James remained silent, surveying the surroundings before his gaze settled on the woman in crimson.
Taking down thirty-plus people wouldn't be a problem, but he feared Mary might get caught in the crossfire.
"Above the law?" Zane laughed again. "I think you misunderstand what that means. Fine, I'll let Christopher down—if you drink this glass."
Katya immediately poured a large glass of whiskey and pushed it toward Mary.
"Zane!" James's eyes turned cold.
"It's okay, I'll drink it!" Mary grabbed James's arm to stop him, glanced at Christopher, then stepped forward.
She downed the whiskey with great difficulty, her pretty face turning crimson as she fought the urge to vomit. "I finished it. Now let him down."
James steadied Mary, his fingers pressing several points on her back to ease her intoxication.
"Excellent! I love your spirit, Ms. Smith." Seeing Mary slightly drunk, Zane's eyes brightened with desire. He flicked his finger.
On screen, Christopher was immediately lowered, but quickly locked inside a refrigerated container set to 14 degrees Fahrenheit.
He instantly shivered, curling into a trembling ball.
"Zane, what exactly do you want?" Mary clenched her fists.
Zane's face turned cunning. "I promised to lower Christopher, but I never said I'd let him go completely. He's so reckless and caused you to drink. I'm just cooling him off, helping him clear his head."
"Zane, you're despicable."
"How long do you think Christopher can last? Can he even make it an hour?" Zane smiled languidly.
"You're a complete bastard!" Mary was enraged.
Zane blew a smoke ring. "Darling, though your anger is quite enticing, I don't appreciate your insults. From now on, without my permission, every word you speak will cost Christopher 10 degrees Fahrenheit."
James stepped forward. "If anything happens to him, I guarantee something will happen to you too."
Zane lifted his chin, pointing at James with a cold laugh. "Boy, you talk big and seem confident, but I don't like it. We'll deal with Christopher later. Let's discuss your situation now."
His voice hardened. "I have thirty bodyguards here, plus a female combat expert—all hand-picked fighters. No matter how good you are, you can't escape."
He continued, "You have two choices: One, kneel and apologize, leave behind three fingers, and I'll spare your life for Ms. Smith's sake. Two, I'll have your legs broken and freeze you just like Christopher."
"Mr. Lowe, why go to such trouble?" The crimson-clad woman fixed her cold gaze on James. "Hand him to me, and I'll show him the price of offending you."
Though she appeared alluring, James could tell she possessed formidable skills—a dangerous opponent.
"Zane, release him now!" Mary shouted again.
"Darling, you're being disobedient again." Zane waved his finger. "You seem eager for Christopher to die early."
The tattooed youth with a baseball bat whispered into a phone. Immediately, the freezer temperature dropped another 10 degrees. Christopher began to shake violently.
Mary fell silent, fearing Christopher would suffer more.
"Zane, must you be so stubborn?" James coldly regarded him.
Zane laughed dismissively and nodded to the woman in crimson. "Clio, he's yours. Teach him a good lesson. Let him understand what it means to court death."
"Yes, sir." Clio Webb nodded. "Boy, you're finished." She drew a curved blade and charged toward James with lightning speed.
"James, be careful!" Mary instinctively cried out.
In that moment, James grabbed a chair and hurled it—fast and vicious. Clio slashed downward, shattering the chair into flying fragments.
A dozen bodyguards instinctively stepped back. Taking advantage of the chaos, James sprang forward with incredible agility, suddenly appearing beside Zane with a fruit knife against his throat.
Zane's expression turned ugly as James pressed the knife sideways, drawing blood. "Everyone back off, or he dies."
Mary stood beside James as dozens of bodyguards swarmed around them like hungry wolves.
"Release Mr. Lowe!"
"Bastard, you dare take Mr. Lowe hostage? I'll kill you!"
Clio brandished her blade as she stepped forward, but stopped when James pressed harder, drawing more blood from Zane's neck.
"If you harm Mr. Lowe, you won't leave here alive today," she hissed, her gaze venomous.
"Shut up and back off." James's murderous intent held the crowd at bay. Countless weapons aimed at him, yet no one dared to charge.
"Back off." Though reluctant, Clio and the others retreated, as did Katya and her companions.
Zane coughed, his face grim. He couldn't submit despite being at James's mercy. "Kid, you're so bold, daring to hurt my people and take me hostage..." He raised his neck. "Have the guts to tell me your name."
"My name?" James smiled. "James."
"James?" Zane looked bewildered, clearly unfamiliar with the name, then nodded with deep hatred. "Fine, I'll remember it."
"You don't recognize this James?" A cool voice came from the doorway. "Perhaps you should get acquainted with the Harvey family's honored guest, the protégé Mrs. Harvey herself admires."
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