Chapter 136 Raymond's Unyielding Stance
The events unfurled in a fleeting instant, leaving Paige in a state of bewilderment. The warmth of Raymond's lips began to melt the frosty chill that had settled in her heart, akin to the thawing of a snow-capped peak. Raymond, with a swift and decisive action, fired two shots. The opposition was promptly subdued by Julian and his associates, their swift response a testament to their loyalty. A soft sound escaped from Paige's lips, her thoughts a whirlwind of confusion. She was certain that the man standing before her was Raymond. But his legs... How had he managed to stand so suddenly? And not just stand, but walk towards her with an air of determination?Raymond, gun in hand, wrapped his other arm around Paige's neck, pulling her into a passionate kiss that left her breathless. Despite the multitude of onlookers, he refrained from any further liberties. After releasing Paige from his embrace, he guided her to the fireside and gently pushed her onto the couch. "How's my brother doing?" Raymond's voice cut through the tense silence. Marigold was being restrained by two bodyguards, his arms pinned behind his back. Near the entrance, Finnegan lay in a pool of his own blood. Just moments ago, Raymond had whisked Paige out of harm's way when Finnegan had started shooting in her direction. The two shots Raymond had fired had found their mark in Finnegan.Raymond stood tall, his height exceeding six feet three inches. His demeanor was one of cold intensity, commanding the room with an air of authority. Paige sat frozen, her body rigid with shock. The way Raymond had shielded her, evading the bullets and counterattacking with such precision, was a testament to his skill and quick thinking. Putting aside the question of how Raymond, seemingly a hostage himself, had managed to have a gun, the act of him holding her and kissing her felt all too... familiar. Paige could hear the rhythm of her own heartbeat, a steady 'thump, thump, thump...' echoing in her ears. Where was this sense of familiarity coming from?There was no time for Paige to ponder on that question. She watched as Raymond approached Finnegan, knelt down, and checked the carotid artery in his neck. "Call your doctor to save him. If they're quick, he might still live," Raymond instructed. Marigold struggled against the bodyguards' grip, shouting, "Let go, let me go! I need to see my brother."Usually impeccably dressed, Marigold often exuded an air of elegance. But now, her glamour had faded, her hair disheveled from the struggle. Paige rose to her feet, her mind no longer occupied with the mystery of Raymond's sudden mobility and precise marksmanship. The antidote was what mattered now. Standing before Marigold, Paige demanded, "The antidote, give it to me, and I can guarantee your brother Finnegan's survival."Marigold glared at Paige with venomous eyes. "Pah, you think I'm going to trust you and your thief of a husband? Not one word.""Heh, thieves? Us?" Paige countered. "This whole setup was your doing. We were merely drawn into your scheme."Marigold, in disbelief, retorted, "There's no way to get here other than by helicopter. And weren't you supposed to be on a plane back to Northwind? How could you possibly be here, Mrs. Hawke? How did you do it?"Paige glanced at the captive Finnegan before enlightening Marigold. "The person who boarded the flight to Northwind was just a body double, someone who matched my height and build. Sure, this place might be secure, accessible only by helicopter, but you forgot about the surrounding mountains - a natural paradise for skiing. Coincidentally, I happen to have a group of skilled skiers ready at my disposal. And here we are, meeting again in less than three days."Marigold looked at Paige as if she'd seen a ghost. "You flew to the mountain peaks and skied down? You're all crazy, every last one. Such perilous slopes, and you, Mrs. Hawke, head of Hawke Corporation, risk your life for this?"Paige met Marigold's gaze coolly before instructing Julian and the others, "Everyone, leave us. Raymond and I will handle this." The discussion to follow was not meant for an audience.Julian escorted the bodyguards away and locked them up in a shipping container. The grand hall was now left with just Paige, her husband Raymond, and Marigold.Before being released, Marigold had been thoroughly searched by the bodyguards, who made sure she didn't have any hidden weapons on her. Marigold rubbed her sore wrist and looked at Raymond, who stood tall and imposing next to the couch where Paige sat. Despite his confident stature, Marigold's eyes were still stained with a thick layer of hatred.
"Should any harm befall my brother," Marigold declared, her voice echoing in the room, "then Mrs. Sackler of the Hoover household shall accompany him to the grave."Paige's eyebrows furrowed in a fierce knot as she retorted, her voice laced with venom, "You wouldn't dare!"Marigold's retort was swift and sharp, "And what exactly wouldn't I dare? I'm confined in this godforsaken place, devoid of sunlight. If the only family I have left is taken from me by your hands, what's left that I wouldn't dare?"Raymond's voice remained detached, his tone icy, "He won't die. I never intended to take his life.""But you shot him twice," Marigold countered, her voice trembling slightly."He tried to kill my wife. His gun was aimed directly at her. The fact that I didn't kill him on the spot already gave you and your brother a chance to escape," Raymond justified, his voice steady.Marigold fell silent, unable to form a response. Although she wasn't adept with firearms, she had witnessed the entire scene. If Raymond hadn't swiftly moved to shield Paige, the bullet would have found its mark in Paige's head. The truth was glaring, leaving Marigold bereft of an argument.As it stood, Raymond had indeed shown a degree of mercy despite firing two shots. Paige, however, had no interest in prolonging this futile conversation.She broached the subject again, her voice urgent, "Where's the antidote? I need it."Marigold averted her gaze, her voice barely a whisper, "The antidote isn't with me."Paige sprang up from the couch, her fury palpable, "What do you mean it's not with you? Then where is it?""So, I'm telling you, my brother needs to stay alive, or else you won't get the antidote. It's not my concern. You'll have to wait for him to wake up and ask him," Marigold stated, her voice firm.Upon hearing Marigold's words, Paige spun around, snatched the gun from Raymond's hand, and aimed it squarely at Marigold's head.Marigold recoiled, her voice trembling, "If something happens to me, even if he wakes up, do you think he'd give you the antidote?"Paige cocked the gun, her voice cold, "Do you really think we can be fooled that easily? We were deceived from Northwind, lured to Echo Peak, and now to this forsaken place. Now, the lives of you and your brother are in my hands. What kind of tricks do you think you can still play?""I am now nothing more than a drunk, a washout," Marigold confessed, her voice filled with resignation. "I only got involved in this deal because of some information I stumbled upon by accident. If you want the antidote, you'll have to save my brother!"Raymond was growing increasingly impatient with the conversation, his voice laced with irritation, "I've said it before, no one is dying."Paige was indeed growing anxious.When the sound of a flare gun echoed from outside, it was Julian signaling them. Paige looked toward Marigold, her voice firm, "Alright, I'll wait for your brother to wake up."
Log in with Google Account
Chapters
Favorite
Settings
