Raymond led his bodyguards with precision and skill, taking down multiple opponents in quick succession.
The attackers hadn't anticipated such fierce resistance and were momentarily thrown into disarray.
But they quickly adjusted their strategy.
They began offering a million-dollar reward to incentivize their men to attack relentlessly. Some even brought out heavy artillery, bombarding Raymond's vehicle.
One of the bodyguards was unlucky enough to get his leg injured by an explosion, bleeding profusely.
Ignoring his own safety, Raymond rushed forward to bandage the wound, his eyes filled with determination. This act only strengthened the bodyguards' resolve to fight for him.
The car was forced into a dense forest, where both sides engaged in a fierce battle.
The bodyguards, leveraging their years of wilderness training, constantly changed positions, repelling wave after wave of attacks.
However, the sheer number of enemies began to wear them down.
At that moment, another squad of attackers discovered Raymond's hiding spot.
To protect his men, Raymond stepped out, drawing the squad's attention away.
Using his exceptional skills, he moved swiftly through the forest, quickly eliminating the squad.
When he returned, he found his bodyguards had reorganized their defenses and were staunchly resisting the enemy's assault.
Raymond knew this couldn't go on. They needed to break through and find help.
He gathered a few of his best bodyguards to plan an escape.
The bodyguard captain suggested sending one of the men with the injured guard, Kai, to find a car and get medical help.
Raymond immediately volunteered to accompany them. The captain, knowing Raymond's stubbornness, could only advise him to be careful.
Raymond and the bodyguard helped Kai out of the forest.
As they reached the roadside, they heard a car approaching in the distance.
Raymond decisively ordered the bodyguard to hide with Kai in the bushes while he stood in the middle of the road and fired a shot into the air.
The sharp sound echoed through the night, and the car came to an abrupt halt, followed by hurried footsteps.
Raymond knew he had their attention.
Taking a deep breath, he gripped his weapon tightly, ready for the confrontation.
In the ensuing skirmish, Raymond's eyes were cold and resolute, each move decisive and unyielding.
With his ammunition running low, Raymond deftly dodged an attack and swiftly disarmed his opponent.
Holding the weapon firmly, he seemed to hold the key to life and death.
After a fierce fight, the attackers fell, and the forest returned to silence.
Everyone who witnessed this was in awe.
They had never seen Raymond so calm and powerful.
They quickly drove out of the forest to regroup with the others.
As soon as they got in the car, Raymond urgently called Melinda.
"Melinda, it's me." His voice was gentle yet firm, as if it could traverse any distance to reach her heart.
On the other end, Melinda burst into tears.
She had been worried all night, but hearing Raymond's voice, all her anxiety and fear melted away.
"Raymond, are you okay?" she asked, choking back tears.
"I'm fine, don't worry," Raymond replied softly. "I'll solve everything and be back with you soon."
Raymond's tone was filled with love and tenderness, a stark contrast to his usual stern demeanor.
Even Kai, sitting nearby, was taken aback by this side of Raymond.
Meanwhile, Gwyneth was pacing nervously in her villa.
She wanted to go outside for some fresh air, but the doctor insisted she stay in bed during this critical period.
As night fell, the villa was shrouded in silence.
Suddenly, there were hurried footsteps outside.
Gwyneth's heart tightened as she looked toward the door.
Raymond entered, carrying a faint scent of blood, his eyes deep and cold, piercing through any lies or pretense.
"Raymond..." Gwyneth stepped back in panic, sensing what had happened. "Is it about my father..."
"Your father's ambush plan has been foiled," Raymond stated bluntly. "You have two choices: come back with me willingly, or I'll use force."
Gwyneth's face turned pale.
She tried to use her unborn child as leverage, pleading for Raymond's sympathy. "Raymond, please let me have this baby. I promise I won't interfere with you and Melinda."
But Raymond coldly rejected her plea. "You have no right to have my child. Melinda is the one I love, and I won't give you any chance to hurt her."
Gwyneth bit her lip, tears welling up. "Raymond, I've loved you since we were kids. It's only because of my father and bad luck that we couldn't be together. You know I've always had feelings for you."
"I don't need your dirty feelings," Raymond responded icily. "If you don't want your family to suffer, come back with me. Otherwise, I won't hesitate to take your child and make your life a living hell."
Gwyneth trembled, unable to believe her ears.
The Raymond who once treated her gently was now so ruthless.
In the end, Gwyneth conceded. She couldn't risk her family's safety.
Raymond was right. Even if she had the child, the Thomas family wouldn't acknowledge it. By running away, she had already crossed Raymond, and the Thomas family would no longer support her.
"Gwyneth, listen to Mr. Thomas. We can't fight him," her assistant urged, genuinely afraid of Raymond's methods.
Gwyneth said nothing, silently packing her things.
That night, they drove to a private airport and left the place filled with broken dreams.
Meanwhile, at the Gonzalez Villa, "Dennis, what do you think you're doing? How dare you defy me!" Qiana was furious, calling to reprimand Dennis.
"Grandma, please don't be angry, I..." Dennis began, but Qiana cut him off.
"What do you mean 'I'? Do you think I don't know what you're up to? I've frozen all your bank accounts. Let's see how you live now," Qiana threatened.
Dennis just smiled. "Grandma, even if you freeze all my accounts, I'll be just fine."
"You..." Qiana was momentarily speechless with rage. "Fine, if you're so capable, don't use a single penny from the family!"
"Grandma, I never said I wouldn't use it. I just don't need it right now," Dennis explained. "By the way, Grandma, I have something to tell you. Claire and I are together."
"What?" Qiana's eyes widened in shock. "You're really together?"
"Yes," Dennis confirmed.
Qiana glanced at Ivy beside her. "When are you planning to get married?"
"Married?" Dennis was taken aback. He hadn't thought about that yet. "Grandma, I haven't considered that yet."