Chapter 157
As expected, the person who kidnapped me was Benjamin.
Gone was the fake kindness he used to wear on his face. His eyes were vicious and cold as he looked at me,"Take her inside for questioning."
The two men in black holding me tightened their grip on my arms in unison and dragged me forward.
This seemed to be some kind of estate. When I got out of the car, I saw someone playing golf in the distance. All the commotion here didn't even make him glance our way.
Once inside a room, Benjamin looked at me with a dark expression."Emily, I gave you fair warning. You chose the hard way over the easy way. Don't cry when I stop playing nice."
All pretense stripped away, he gave a look to someone beside him, who immediately kicked me in the knee. My legs buckled and I fell to the ground.
I let myself sit on the floor and looked up at him coldly."Benjamin, you really think grabbing me solves everything?"
Benjamin looked at me grimly."I know you've already handed the stuff over. If you want to live, call him right now and tell him to destroy it. Otherwise, you'll die before we do."
I looked at him and let out a cold laugh."I don't believe you'd dare!"
Benjamin glanced at me with contempt."It's your own life. Believe it or not, that's up to you. I don't have much time, so you'd better move fast."
He ordered the person beside him,"Take off her handcuffs."
The handcuffs came off, and my hands could finally move freely. Sharp pain came from my wrists, and on my delicate skin were red marks where the handcuffs had rubbed the skin raw.
Benjamin's voice was ice cold."I underestimated you before. Thought you were just playing around, no real ambition. But you've been making serious moves in silence. Emily, do you have any idea how dangerous this is for you?"
I looked at him without fear."I'd like to live longer too, but only if you guys are willing to give me room to survive."
With just one look from Benjamin, someone tossed my phone at my feet.
"You don't have much time. Intercept that thing now, and I'll put in a good word for you. Maybe you'll get to keep your life." He spoke casually, as if discussing the weather, treating human life like it meant nothing.
"What if I say no?" I tilted my head to look at him with a disdainful smile.
He seemed amused."You say no? Then you might not walk out of this room today."
I replied calmly,"You think I handed them the stuff without setting conditions? Want to bet whether news of my disappearance has already gotten out? How about we bet on how long it takes them to find me?"
Benjamin's face instantly darkened. He stepped forward and slapped me hard across the face, his tone vicious,"Bitch, you dare threaten me? Looking to die faster? I'll make it happen right now."
A burning pain spread across my face, and the taste of iron filled my mouth. I pressed my tongue against the broken inner cheek and spat out the bloody saliva, staring at him intensely.
If he really wanted me dead, he wouldn't have openly kidnapped me here.
A dagger suddenly appeared in his hand, its sharp blade gleaming coldly as it flashed before my eyes.
He stepped closer, lightly running the blade across my cheek, eyes narrowed with a sinister look,"I heard your face was slashed before. What amazing work they did fixing it perfectly. But guess what—if it gets ruined again this time, think it can be restored?"
I kept my face raised without dodging. The blade pierced my skin, and amid the pain, warm liquid flowed down my face, slow and sticky.
"Benjamin, is this all you've got as a grown man? Don't you have so many lives on your hands? Afraid to add one more?" I used words to provoke him.
He snorted coldly, crouched down to look at me, and slowly withdrew the dagger,"You want to die? I'll make it happen right now."
He raised the dagger, making as if to stab me.
This was the moment. In a flash, while he wasn't paying attention, I grabbed his wrist, twisted around, and sprang up from the ground, wrenching his arm behind his back.
As he cried out in surprise, the dagger fell to the floor.
The ring on my left middle finger had already released its needle tip, aimed at the artery in his neck, pressed against his skin. Just a little more pressure and it would pierce his blood vessel.
"Don't move. Tell them all to leave," I said coldly.
All of this happened in an instant. Their carelessness gave me the chance to strike.
Benjamin's face turned bright red, his voice filled with panic."You can't escape. You better let me go."
I increased the pressure, the needle already piercing his skin."Shut up. Tell them to leave. You should know I've coated this needle with something."
Benjamin's body stiffened from the sudden pain, and he quickly shouted in panic,"Get out, all of you, now!"
Only after everyone had left did his voice soften to plead. "Emily, we didn't mean anything by bringing you here. We just want you to stop that thing. Some matters shouldn't be meddled with. I promise you, as long as you do it, I'll guarantee you get out safely."
I laughed coldly."You're in my hands now. Do you have the right to negotiate?"
As I spoke, I moved toward the exit with my hostage."Get me a car and tell them all to back off. Otherwise, even if you don't die today, the virus on this will make you wish you were dead."
Benjamin quickly ordered,"Are you all deaf? Get a car over here."
We had just reached the door when we were surrounded by a circle of men. Judging by their builds and muscles, they looked like they'd been to war.
The man I'd seen playing golf earlier slowly walked over. He wore a black suit, looked to be in his fifties, wore thick glasses, and appeared completely kind, but his words carried authority."What a waste."
That remark was directed at Benjamin.
Benjamin quickly said,"Mr. Hagen, save me."
The man looked up at me casually, his voice light."Will you let him go yourself, or should I have them take him from you? Think it through."
I looked at his face and slowly smiled,"Aubrey? You made all this fuss just to kidnap me? You need special forces to deal with one woman?"
Sure enough, the viciousness in his eyes flashed when I called out his name, quickly replaced by a smile: "Facts prove it was necessary. You're not leaving today. Let him go, and maybe we can still talk peacefully. I don't like using violence. Don't force me."
I pushed the needle on my ring deeper. Benjamin's cry rang out immediately."Even if I can't leave today, I'm dragging someone into this."
He looked at Benjamin with contempt."You think I'll give in because of him?"
Benjamin shouted desperately,"Mr. Hagen, save me, please, don't abandon me."
Aubrey slowly stepped back and waved his finger lightly."Dead or alive, take her down."