Chapter 172

Chapter 172

The fall of the Bourbon family swept through global capital markets like a sudden tsunami.

Ulysses, once invincible, now skulked like a rat in the gutter.

On the table before him lay several forged passports scattered among crumpled bills.

His once-handsome, refined face was now covered in stubble and grime. His gray-blue eyes burned with resentment.

"Impossible! I can't lose!" Ulysses slammed his fist on the table.

He was the head of the Bourbon family! He commanded the world's greatest fortune and top-tier resources! How could he be driven to this by one woman?

"Scarlett..." Ulysses ground out the name through clenched teeth, murderous intent practically solidifying in his gaze. "Since you destroyed everything I had, even if I die, I'm dragging you to hell with me!"

A bloodthirsty madness flashed in Ulysses's eyes.

He touched the gun at his waist and coldly surveyed the mercenaries still loyal to him.

"To the hospital!"

Serenity Health Center, VIP ICU.

The quiet hospital room held only the monotonous, rhythmic beeping of the heart monitor.

Scarlett stood beside the bed, silently watching Thaddeus lying there.

Over a month now.

It had been over a month since that horrific accident.

Scarlett came to the hospital every day to see him.

Each time, she sat quietly by the bed, watching Thaddeus's shallow breathing, as if confirming whether he was still alive.

"Scarlett, go home. Come see him again tomorrow." Sawyer appeared at the doorway without her noticing. He walked to her side and gently draped the coat in his hands over her shoulders.

"He's still the same," Scarlett said softly.

"The doctors say his will to live is strong. The blood clot in his brain is slowly being absorbed. He'll wake up." Sawyer's voice was soothing.

Scarlett didn't respond, only pulled the coat tighter around herself.

"Let's go. Orla and Arthur are still waiting for you at home."

Hospital underground parking garage.

In the dim lighting, several black SUVs sat quietly near the elevator entrance.

Several bodyguards stood by the vehicles, vigilantly watching their surroundings.

The elevator doors opened. Sawyer and Scarlett stepped out.

Just as they were about to get into the car, everything changed.

An unmarked vehicle suddenly accelerated straight toward them.

Then an explosion rang out. A sedan not far from them erupted in flames, a fireball shooting skyward. The massive shockwave knocked Scarlett and the others to the ground.

"Protect Ms. Savoy!" Sawyer roared. Several bodyguards immediately drew their guns and surrounded Scarlett and Sawyer tightly.

Shrill car alarms echoed through the underground garage. Thick smoke rolled, obscuring visibility.

Before anyone could react, several muffled gunshots rang out from within the smoke.

The bodyguards in front dropped instantly. Blood pooled rapidly on the ground.

"Ambush! Take cover!" Sawyer's expression changed drastically. He grabbed Scarlett and pulled her behind an SUV.

"Scarlett! I know you're there!"

From within the smoke, accompanied by maniacal laughter, a voice rang out.

Ulysses emerged from the shadows with several men.

His face twisted into a savage grin. He gripped a smoking gun, the barrel pointed directly at Scarlett's location.

"Ulysses?" Sawyer's pupils contracted. He never imagined that Ulysses, wanted internationally, would dare appear in Silverlight City—or launch a terrorist attack in a hospital parking garage!

"Sawyer, long time no see." Ulysses sneered. "Did you think that just because Interpol and Getty Group bodyguards are here, I couldn't touch you?"

He waved his hand. The mercenaries behind him immediately raised their assault rifles, aiming at Sawyer's remaining guards.

"Drop your weapons. Otherwise, I guarantee you'll all die here today!" Ulysses said coldly.

The bodyguards exchanged glances. Without Sawyer's orders, they didn't dare move.

"Ulysses, there's still time to stop this!" Sawyer warned in a low voice.

Ulysses laughed as if he'd heard the world's greatest joke. "You think I care? I've lost everything. What do I have to fear?"

He glared viciously at Scarlett, hatred blazing in his eyes. "Scarlett, you bitch! You destroyed everything I had!"

With that, he raised his gun and pulled the trigger without hesitation.

"Look out!" Sawyer shoved Scarlett behind the SUV. The bullet grazed the vehicle's body and shattered the window beside them, sending glass flying.

Sawyer's bodyguards immediately returned fire.

Nearby, several medical staff about to leave their shifts screamed and scattered, terrified by the sudden firefight.

Ulysses's mercenaries opened fire as well. Bullets rained down on the SUV like hail.

"Protect Ms. Savoy!"

Sawyer's bodyguards fought back valiantly, but they were clearly outgunned. In the chaos, two more guards were shot and fell.

Blood, screams, gunfire—the entire underground garage became a living hell.

"Stop!" Scarlett shouted from behind the SUV.

"Ulysses, I'm your target, aren't I? Don't drag innocent people into this." Though Scarlett's face was pale, her eyes were exceptionally resolute. She slowly stepped out from behind the SUV, exposing herself to Ulysses's gun.

"Scarlett! What are you doing? Get down!" Sawyer turned white with shock, reaching to pull her back, but she shook him off.

"So you're planning to sacrifice yourself to save these ants?" Ulysses sneered, his gun trained on Scarlett. "You think doing this will make me spare them?"

"You want my life? Take it." Scarlett ignored his mockery. She glanced at the bodyguards lying in pools of blood. "Just let them go. I'll come with you."

"Scarlett! No!" Sawyer's eyes turned red as he roared. "You can't go with him! He's insane!"

"Sawyer, this is the mess I caused. I have to fix it." Scarlett looked at him deeply. "Take care of Orla and Arthur for me."

"Good! Very good! What a touching melodrama!"

Ulysses burst into laughter. He waved his hand. Two mercenaries stepped forward and roughly dragged Scarlett to his side.

The cold barrel pressed against Scarlett's temple.

The chill of death made her body shudder involuntarily.

"Sawyer, listen carefully." Ulysses held Scarlett hostage and retreated toward an armored vehicle already prepared nearby.

He pulled a black communication device from his pocket and threw it on the ground. "You have two hours. Clear me a route straight to international waters. And prepare a fully fueled helicopter."

Ulysses's lips curved into a cruel smile. "If I don't see what I want in two hours..."

"Then get ready to collect this woman's body!"