Chapter 153 Don't Dare to Gamble with Her Life
The fat man didn't dare stop. Seeing the aggressive vehicle behind him, he floored the gas pedal, and the van shot forward like an arrow released from a bow.
Alexander accelerated in pursuit, practically never touching his brakes as he overtook the van's rear and pulled alongside it.
The Mercedes G-Wagon slammed hard into the van's side door—this impact was even more violent than the previous two, instantly crushing the van against the guardrail. Rather than slowing down, Alexander pressed even harder against the van.
The fat man panicked, his vehicle forced off the road with half the body scraping against the guardrail, sparks flying.
"This damn car's got serious horsepower!" he cursed.
"Stop the car, or we're going to flip!" Grace shouted. "If this van rolls, we'll all be killed!"
Suddenly, she lunged toward the front, throwing herself at the steering wheel from the passenger seat.
The fat man screamed, "Let go!"
"Stop the car!"
Grace wrenched the steering wheel in the opposite direction while the fat man fought for control, simultaneously slamming on the brakes.
At high speed, the sudden braking sent the entire van into a sideways skid.
The moment the vehicle stopped, Grace seized her chance and grabbed the stun gun, jabbing it hard into the man's side.
But despite his heavy appearance, the man was all muscle underneath. Already on guard, he moved with surprising agility, grabbing her wrist and sending the stun gun clattering to the floor.
Grace grabbed his hand and bit down hard on his arm.
The fat man howled in pain and threw a punch at her shoulder, sending Grace flying into the back of the van where she landed on top of Jenny, clutching her waist in agony, barely able to sit up.
Alexander's driving skills were exceptional. After forcing the van to stop, he executed a perfect drift, positioning his vehicle horizontally to block the van's escape route.
Both vehicles now sat stalled in the middle of the road, backing up traffic behind them.
Alexander stopped his car, turned on his hazard lights, and got out, walking toward the van.
He reached for the van's door handle, only to discover it had been locked from the inside.
Unable to open the door, his eyes flashed with dangerous intent.
Alexander looked toward the driver's seat, realizing the occupants had locked themselves in. He pounded forcefully on the door, his voice ice-cold, "Open up!"
He had no patience left. Thinking of Grace trapped inside after witnessing her get hit by that car, terrified she might be seriously injured and need immediate medical attention, he clenched his fist and slammed it hard into the window.
The entire driver's side window couldn't withstand such a brutal blow from his fist—it shattered completely with a resounding crash.
The fat man's eyes bulged in disbelief as he stared at Alexander through what had been the window. Only a pane of glass away, he appeared like some kind of tyrant, his fist having punched straight through the window. Blood from cuts made by the glass shards streamed down his knuckles in a horrifying sight, yet his face showed no trace of pain. His eyes carried an intensely intimidating pressure that made one's scalp tingle, leaving the man momentarily stunned and unable to react.
Alexander reached his hand through the broken window and hit the unlock button. The doors clicked open instantly.
He immediately pulled his hand back and rushed to the rear door, yanking it open.
"Grace!"
Three people were in the back of the van.
One man wearing a baseball cap that had shifted askew, still dazed and disoriented. Jenny, also bound by Grace, and Grace herself, collapsed on top of both of them, trembling all over in pain.
"Grace..."
Alexander reached out to embrace her.
The next second, he heard the unmistakable sound of a gun being cocked.
A pistol was pressed firmly against Alexander's temple.
The fat man gripped the gun tightly, his face murderous. "Just who the hell are you?"
Alexander's throat moved slightly, but there wasn't a trace of fear in his eyes. His expression remained cold, seemingly unfazed by the gun barrel pressed against his temple. He spoke each word distinctly, "Alexander."
The man's face grew even more tense.
Alexander...
Anyone with any sense had heard that name.
Heir to Novaria's most prominent family, the Hayes family, and CEO of Crest Corporation.
How could it be him...
The fat man nervously moved the gun to point at the back of Grace's head. "Back off!"
He wouldn't dare touch Alexander, so he could only use Grace as leverage.
Alexander's spine went rigid.
He knew that having heard his name, this man might not dare shoot him, but Grace—that was uncertain.
Perhaps the man realized his gun couldn't threaten Alexander, so he could only use Grace's life as leverage.
"Back off! I'm warning you one last time—this gun is real!" the fat man shouted again. "You move one inch, and I'll blow her brains out!"
With that, he fired a shot through the window.
The bullet instantly pierced the glass and struck the guardrail, punching straight through.
"I'm telling you again—I really will shoot! Worst case scenario, she and I go down together!"
He pressed the gun barrel firmly against Grace's neck. Having just been fired, the muzzle was still hot, quickly leaving a shallow red mark on her neck and shoulder.
In the distance, the traffic jam had created a long line of cars. Several drivers had gotten out to see what was blocking the road ahead, but upon hearing gunshots, they scrambled back to their vehicles in panic.
"I heard gunshots!"
"Someone's shooting..."
"Call the police! Quick!"
Inside the van, a long standoff ensued.
Alexander's hand still gripped Grace's arm tightly, but he didn't dare make any sudden moves. Bullets were indiscriminate, and with the gun cocked and ready, even the slightest misfire could be fatal.
He asked coldly, "What do you want with her?"
"That's none of your business!"
"She's mine. Let her go, and no matter what you've done, I'll let it slide." Alexander adopted a negotiating stance.
But the man replied, "How do I know you'll keep your word once I let you go? Don't worry—if you back off right now, I guarantee she won't die. But if you don't back off, I'll shoot her immediately!"
Alexander's gaze fell on the man's finger tight on the trigger, cold sweat sliding down his forehead again.
He'd never been one to submit to threats and had walked through bloody battlefields before, but...
He couldn't gamble with Grace's life.
"Let's make a deal," Alexander said.
His lips pressed into a thin line. "I want her alive. I'll agree to any conditions you name. But if she dies, I swear I'll torture you to death and tear you apart piece by piece." With that, he pulled out a business card from his pocket and handed it over. "Two days. I want you to return her within two days. During that time, whatever conditions you set, I'll absolutely fulfill them."