Chapter 93

Chapter 93

Damien looked up at him, his smoke-blue eyes swirling with complex emotions. Then the corner of his mouth lifted into a faint smile, his tone carrying an undeniable sincerity: "Mr. Williams, you don't need to negotiate with me."

"Yesterday in that dressing room, Beatrice helped me even though she knew I was in serious trouble."

"She got dragged into this mess because of me. I won't let anything happen to her. I'll do everything in my power to bring her back safely."

The weight crushing John's chest finally eased slightly: "Mr. Stuart, gratitude goes beyond words. As long as you can rescue Bea, the Williams family will repay this debt a thousand times over."

The moment those words left his mouth, Damien's phone rang again.

The same number from Jacques's earlier call flashed across the screen.

Damien raised a finger to his lips, signaling John to stay silent, then answered and put it on speaker.

"What's the matter, Damien? Had a change of heart?" Jacques's mocking voice crackled through the receiver. "Can't bear to lose your little beauty after all? And here I thought you were going to play the coward."

Damien leaned back against the sofa, deliberately draining all emotion from his voice, maintaining that same casual tone as he played along: "Jacques, you and I have been at each other's throats for years. Whatever grudge you have, settle it with me."

"Grabbing some random woman—isn't that beneath you? Word gets out, won't the entire Luminous City underworld laugh you out of town?"

"Beneath me?" Jacques let out a cold laugh. "As long as it gets you killed, I'll use any method available. What's wrong? Feeling protective? If you care so much, get your ass over here before your little beauty suffers."

"Let me tell you—this girl's got fire. Just spat in my face a minute ago. Can't guarantee how long my patience will last."

"I'd love to come." Damien deliberately slowed his speech, baiting him. "But I don't even know where you are. How am I supposed to get there? You expect me to wander the streets of Luminous City searching?"

"Or maybe you don't have the guts to tell me your location. Afraid I'll bring backup and raid your headquarters?"

Jacques took the bait immediately, bursting into laughter: "Afraid of you? Damien, don't flatter yourself."

"I'm at the La Villette Estate on the city outskirts—my headquarters. You've been dying to find it, haven't you? Well, here's your chance. I'm giving you a formal invitation."

"But let me warn you—don't try anything clever. Three hundred of my men are stationed inside and out, all armed. You bring even one person with you, and your woman dies on the spot."

Damien's fingers drummed lightly against the sofa's armrest as he mentally recorded the address, though his voice remained relentlessly provocative: "Three hundred men? Jacques, are you really that scared of me?"

"You need that many bodies just to handle one injured man? Sounds like last time really broke your nerve."

"Better safe than sorry." Jacques's tone turned ice-cold in an instant. "After all, I've experienced your methods firsthand. Tomorrow morning, eight o'clock sharp. One minute late, and I'll remove one of her fingers first."

"Let's see what matters more to you—your pride, or your woman's limbs."

With that, Jacques hung up.

The instant the call disconnected, the casual mask vanished from Damien's face, replaced by pure, vicious intent.

Liam rushed in clutching a tablet, breathing hard as he reported: "Mr. Stuart! We've got it! The La Villette Estate is Jacques's Fiery Cross headquarters—we obtained complete schematics of their defenses!"

"Thirty-two guard positions total, including hidden sentries. Heavy firepower at both the front and rear gates. Four sniper nests on elevated positions. At least three hundred armed personnel inside. Surveillance cameras cover every angle with zero blind spots. There's absolutely no way to infiltrate undetected!"

Hearing this, John's face drained of color. He staggered backward a step: "Three hundred men? Heavy weapons? He wants you to go alone—it's a death trap! Mr. Stuart, you can't go! We need to find another way!"

"There is no other way." Damien's gaze fixed on the defense layout displayed on the tablet, his fingers swiping rapidly across the screen. His smoke-blue eyes showed not a trace of hesitation. "Jacques wants me. If I don't go, Beatrice is as good as dead."

"I have to go. Only by walking in there can I make him lower his guard—only then will we have a chance to rescue her."

He looked up at Liam, his words coming in rapid-fire succession as he laid out a complete rescue plan: "Take twenty of our best men and infiltrate the estate perimeter three hours early. Stay hidden in the shadows."

"After I get inside, I'll stall for time. You find an opportunity to cut the main power and all surveillance feeds. Within three minutes, you must eliminate all four snipers and every perimeter guard."

"The moment you hear commotion from inside, breach through the west side entrance immediately. Remember—priority one is Beatrice's safety. Get her out. Taking down Jacques comes second."

"Yes, Mr. Stuart!" Liam responded instantly, though his face remained tight with anxiety. "But going in alone is too dangerous! That maniac Jacques has definitely prepared a trap. He's just waiting for you to walk into it!"

"What if I hide two men in your car? At least you'd have backup!"

"No." Damien's refusal was absolute, his tone brooking no argument. "Jacques's people will be watching. The moment I bring anyone, Beatrice dies."

"I have to go in alone. Make him drop his guard completely."

He paused, then added: "Get me a micro remote detonator. And that high-explosive micro-charge I prepared earlier—wrap it in waterproof film. I'm wearing it on my body."

Liam froze, his face going pale: "Mr. Stuart! What do you need that for? If that thing detonates, the blast radius will cover the entire hall—you'll—"

"Do it." Damien cut him off, his eyes unwavering. "It's the only thing that'll make Jacques think twice."

"He wants me dead? Then I'll drag him to hell with me. Let's see who's more willing to die."

Liam looked into those resolute eyes and knew further argument was useless. He could only clench his jaw and nod, turning to prepare the equipment.

Meanwhile, at the La Villette Estate, Jacques ended the call and turned toward Beatrice, who was being held upright by two of his men. The malice in his gaze intensified.

He grabbed a fistful of her hair, forcing her head back, and leaned close, his voice dripping with venom: "Hear that? Your lover claims he barely knows you, but I've still got him exactly where I want him."

"If he doesn't show tomorrow, you can look forward to being passed around by my men. When they're done with you, we'll toss what's left into the river."

Beatrice's scalp burned where he gripped her hair, tears threatening to spill, yet she refused to show weakness. She met his gaze with ice in her own: "Keep dreaming!"

"Mr. Stuart won't fall for your trap. Kidnapping me will only make him hate you more. When this is over, he'll make sure you die screaming."