Chapter 147
After a moment of silence, Kevin finally made up his mind. "Alright, I'll listen to you!"
A smirk played on Hayden's face as he slowly said, "You better hurry, or you won't find such a good opportunity next time."
"I got it."
Ending the call, Hayden put down his phone, his eyes filled with determination.
If Gianna hadn't stuck her nose in Hayden's business, he wouldn't have gone after her like this. But she just had to meddle!
At three in the afternoon, Otis rushed into Gianna's office in a panic, his face full of anxiety.
"Ms. Redstone, there's a lunatic downstairs in the lobby with a bomb strapped to him! He's asking for you by name!"
Gianna stood up abruptly, walking toward the door. She said, "What's going on exactly? Do you know who it is?"
"No, Ms. Redstone. It's very dangerous for you to go down now. I've already called the police. Let's wait for them to arrive," said Otis.
Gianna frowned. "No, waiting for the police will be too late. How's the situation at the front desk?"
"He's taken the receptionist hostage."
Anger flashed in Gianna's eyes as she spoke coldly, "Why didn't you mention this earlier?"
"I didn't have the chance."
"Fine, I'll go down and take a look. You stay here," said Gianna.
"I'm coming with you."
Without another word, the two of them took the elevator to the first floor, where they saw Faith as well. Surprise flickered in Gianna's eyes.
"Faith, what are you doing here? It's dangerous here. Head back upstairs first!" said Gianna.
Seeing Gianna, Kevin suddenly became very agitated, his eyes glaring fiercely at Gianna.
"You're Gianna Redstone, right? If it weren't for you instigating Faith to ignore me, I wouldn't have almost had my leg broken by debt collectors! I won't let you off!"
Faith looked at Kevin with anger. "Dad, are you out of your mind? This is illegal!"
Kevin let out a cold, fearless laugh as he said, "Faith, I raised you with great effort just to ask you for some money. Since you refuse, I couldn't care less today. I'm here for Gianna. Piss off!"
Seeing the front desk hostage already pale with fear, on the verge of fainting, Gianna coolly asked, "What do you want?"
"What do I want? I want you dead!"
Gianna's eyes remained cold. "Since you're looking for me, leave the bystanders out of it. Release the hostage in your hands, and I'll go with you."
Unbeknownst to Gianna, someone had recorded the scene and posted it online, causing a stir.
At the Clinton Group, Sophia informed Felix as soon as she saw Kevin bring a bomb to MY FASHION.
When Felix saw Gianna volunteering to be Kevin's hostage, a hint of panic and anger flashed in his eyes. He immediately stood up and said, "Let's go to MY FASHION!"
Felix tried calling Gianna, but the call was abruptly cut off after a few rings. His hand holding the phone trembled slightly as he quickly sent a message to Gianna.
Felix: [Gianna! Don't go as a hostage!]
Felix: [The bomb on that person is real! Are you willing to risk your life?]
Felix: [Respond!]
Felix sent a dozen messages in a row, but Gianna still didn't reply. Meanwhile, Kevin had agreed to a hostage exchange.
"I warn you. Just don't try anything, or I'll blow us all up!" said Kevin.
Having dealt with bombs many times before, Gianna had already realized that the bomb on Kevin was real. If it went off, everyone on the first floor was toast.
"Don't worry. What could I possibly do?"
Kevin sneered, "That's good. Raise your hands and walk toward me to exchange!"
Gianna raised her hands and walked slowly toward Kevin, everyone holding their breath, afraid that Kevin might detonate the bomb suddenly.
Just as Gianna took a few steps, Faith suddenly grabbed her. "Gianna, don't go!"
Faith looked at Kevin with anger and hatred. "Dad, what do you want? Do you really want to ruin my life before you're satisfied?"
Kevin coldly stared at Faith. "If it weren't for listening to this woman, you wouldn't have refused to give me money. It's all this woman's fault that I'm pushed to this point! As long as she's gone, you'll listen to me in the future!"
"Are you out of your mind? Fine, if you really want to die, then I'll die with you! Then we can finally have some peace!"
With that, Faith walked quickly toward Kevin.
Kevin held onto the receptionist as he walked backward, panic flashing in his eyes.
"Don't come any closer! If you do, I'll set off the bomb!"
Up to this point, Kevin still believed the bomb was fake.
Seeing Kevin getting agitated, Gianna quickly stopped Faith.
"Faith, he's very agitated right now. Don't provoke him. Since he's here for me, I'll talk to him. After I exchange the hostage, you all should immediately go upstairs and evacuate the employees from the second to fifth floors, preferably leaving MY FASHION!"
Faith shook her head, her eyes red. "No, Gianna, let me go instead."
Gianna frowned. "He won't agree. He's here for me this time, and I suspect he's being manipulated by someone else."
"What do you mean?" Faith looked incredulous.
Before Gianna could speak, Kevin impatiently interjected, "What are you two whispering about? Are you plotting to deceive me? Gianna, you have one minute. If you don't come over, I'll detonate the bomb! No one will survive!"
"Faith, there's no time to explain. Trust me, I'll be fine. Remember what I just told you."
With that, Gianna walked toward Kevin.
Seeing the madness in Kevin's eyes, Faith felt him as a stranger. The Kevin who used to bring her gifts every time he came home and never scold her had disappeared along with the Walton family's bankruptcy.
The Kevin before her now was completely a madman who only saw immediate benefits!
When Gianna stood in front of Kevin, she spoke calmly, "Can you release her now?"
Kevin let go of the receptionist and coldly stared at Gianna. "Turn around and face away from me!"
Kevin's eyes flashed with anger when he saw Gianna hesitate. "Hurry up! Don't play tricks, or I'll make you die!"
Gianna turned around as he instructed, and the next moment, Kevin's hand gripped her neck.
Faith quickly went forward to help the receptionist, who was already weak-kneed, to leave. Seeing them about to depart, Kevin angrily said, "Stop right there! Who allowed you to leave?"
Gianna furrowed her brow and said, "You came with a bomb to find me, right? The others are innocent. Let them leave first."
Kevin's voice filled with anger. "It's not your place to tell me what to do! If it weren't for you, all of Faith's money would be mine!"
"So what do you want?" asked Gianna.
"I..."
Kevin hesitated for a moment. He had initially intended to scare Gianna a bit and then have Faith transfer all the money to him. But now, Gianna seemed completely unfazed.
With this in mind, Kevin said fiercely, "Aren't you afraid of death?"
Gianna remained calm. "Of course, I am. But is fear useful? The ball is in your court now. But I advise you to think carefully. Is this how you want your story to end?"
Anger flashed in Kevin's eyes, and his emotions suddenly escalated. "Why should you care? Even if I die, I'll take you down with me!"
With that, Kevin suddenly pressed the countdown button.
The screen on Kevin's chest lit up, ticking down from thirty minutes!
