Chapter 214 Unexpected Explosion

Chapter 214 Unexpected Explosion

Stanley's hand gripping the knife began to tremble. The police officer's suspicion made him realize he couldn't hold out much longer, and desperation slowly consumed his rationality.

Just then, a series of small sounds came from a corner of the ballroom. A Chihuahua appeared from nowhere, tilting its head and staring at a white detonator on the floor.

The Chihuahua approached curiously, bumping the detonator with its nose before pawing at it lightly. The next second, it curiously pressed the red button on the detonator.

An explosion instantly rocked the ballroom. Though not powerful, the loud blast startled everyone. Thick smoke spread from the explosion point, enveloping nearly half the area. The terrified Chihuahua tucked its tail and ran barking through the crowd, nearly knocking several guests over.

The moment of explosion sent a powerful shockwave through everyone, leaving them dizzy and disoriented with blurred vision. Matthew was pushed back two steps by the blast, hitting the table behind him. He steadied himself against the table's edge to keep from falling.

After a few seconds, Matthew felt his mind slowly clearing. His first instinct was to look up and search for Olivia among the chaotic crowd, but he couldn't see her anywhere.

"Olivia! Olivia!"

Matthew shouted, pushing through the people around him and striding quickly through the ballroom. The smoke hadn't fully dispersed yet, obstructing his vision as he anxiously looked around.

Meanwhile, Mason was also searching for Celeste and Molly. He'd been knocked down by the blast and couldn't find his wife and daughter anywhere after getting back up.

"Celeste! Molly! Where are you?"

Mason's voice carried panic as he pushed past nearby guests, scanning every corner but never spotting familiar faces.

The police were thrown into chaos as well. The lead officer helped a colleague to his feet, shouting, "Everyone, stay calm! Stay where you are! First, let's check if anyone's injured!"

Several officers began searching the ballroom and quickly discovered a problem. A young officer felt around his waist, his face instantly turning pale, "Captain! My service weapon is missing!"

The lead officer's heart sank as he immediately said, "Search for it! Did it fall somewhere during the chaos?"

The officers spread out, carefully searching the ground but finding nothing. That's when Matthew approached, his expression terrifyingly grim, "My wife Olivia is missing, and so are Celeste and Molly."

The lead officer's heart skipped a beat as he turned to look at where Stanley had been holding Celeste hostage—the spot was now empty.

"Stanley's gone too!"

The bomb expert, covering his nose and mouth, emerged from the thick smoke and reported to the lead officer, "This was a cheaply made device with minimal explosive material. Fortunately, the blast effect was limited and didn't directly kill anyone. But there are fragments scattered around, so some people might have cuts or scrapes that need immediate attention."

Matthew stepped forward, grabbing the lead officer's arm, his voice filled with fury, "This isn't the time to discuss the bomb! Stanley must have grabbed your service weapon during the chaos and taken Olivia, Celeste, and Molly hostage! Send people to find them now! Even if you have to turn the entire city upside down, you need to bring them back!"

The lead officer nodded and immediately pulled out his radio, "All units, attention! Stanley is suspected of taking three female hostages and may be armed with a police service weapon. He has fled the Howard Manor! Immediately seal off all surrounding roads!"

Responses crackled through the radio as the officers began moving in an orderly fashion. Some stayed in the ballroom to calm the frightened guests and register information about the injured, while others rushed out of the mansion to begin the manhunt.

Mason walked over to Matthew, his expression equally grim, "What do we do now? Stanley's completely lost it. If he hurts Celeste and Molly..."

Matthew took a deep breath, suppressing the anxiety in his heart, "Right now, we can only wait for news from the police. I've already had Red Fox mobilize everyone available to help with the search. They'll be okay."

Though he said this, Matthew felt anything but confident. Stanley had been pushed to the brink, and no one knew what kind of crazy actions he might take.

At that moment, in the parking area outside the mansion, Scarlett was using the car keys she'd mistakenly grabbed to search through rows of vehicles for the matching car. After running from the ballroom, she'd been looking for a vehicle, and when she heard the explosion, she'd picked up the pace.

Finally, Scarlett spotted a white sedan whose logo matched the emblem on the key fob. She hurried over, inserted the key into the lock, and turned it gently—the door opened.

Scarlett slipped into the driver's seat, closed the door, and inserted the key into the ignition. Just as she was about to turn the key to start the engine, the passenger door was suddenly yanked open.

A figure quickly slid in, and immediately, a cold gun barrel was pressed against Scarlett's forehead. Scarlett went rigid, turning to look—it was Stanley. His clothes were covered in dust, his hair disheveled, and his eyes filled with madness and wariness.

"Don't move."

Stanley's voice was hoarse, with a hint of breathlessness, clearly showing that his escape hadn't been easy.

Scarlett's body tensed instantly as she moved her fingers away from the key, not daring to make any movements. Just as she was about to speak, she heard subtle sounds from the back seat. Glancing with her peripheral vision, her heart plummeted—sitting in the back seat were Olivia, Celeste, and Molly!

All three women had their heads down, their faces pale. Olivia had some blood on her arm, whether from explosion fragments or from being jostled during the chaos. Molly was clutching Celeste's hand tightly, her body trembling slightly.

"Drive."

Stanley pressed the gun barrel forward, his tone brooking no argument.

"Follow the route I tell you. Don't try anything clever, or I'll kill you first."

Scarlett's throat moved as she spoke with difficulty, "Where... where do you want me to drive?"

"Don't ask so many questions! Just get this car out of the parking area first!"

Stanley's voice carried impatience as his eyes swept past the car windows, afraid the police might catch up.

"Hurry! If the police spot us, we're all dead!"

Scarlett looked at the gun pressed against her forehead, then at the three trembling women in the back seat, knowing she had no choice. She took a deep breath, gripped the key again, and turned it.

"Go straight ahead, then turn right after the gate."

Stanley gave directions while vigilantly watching outside the car.

Scarlett's hands shook slightly as she gripped the steering wheel, slowly backing the car out of the parking space and heading toward the exit. She didn't know where Stanley was taking them or whether she would make it out alive, but at this moment, all she could do was follow Stanley's orders and pray for a chance to escape.