Chapter 158
I saw people approaching me. There was no way I could fight them off. As Benjamin screamed, I jabbed the steel needle from my ring hard into his blood vessel.
Since I couldn't escape, dragging Benjamin down with me wasn't a loss.
A military boot kicked me in the chest. Before the needle could pierce any deeper, a sharp pain hit me. My chest felt like it was going to explode. I was kicked away like a rag doll, tumbling to the ground in a pathetic heap.
I was quickly cuffed again. Before I could get up, a foot kicked my calf hard and fast. I almost heard my leg bone break. Before I could even groan, another foot pressed down on my shoulder, pinning me to the ground so I couldn't move.
Benjamin in the distance shrieked, covering his neck with his hand, his voice shrill, "Kill her, shoot her now."
Aubrey frowned and snapped. "Shut up."
Benjamin instantly went silent, not daring to say another word.
He ordered someone else. "Take him to get bandaged. He won't die from such a small wound."
Benjamin quickly said, "She said the needle is contaminated with a virus. Mr. Hagen, you need to have someone identify what it is."
Aubrey frowned and gestured for them to take Benjamin away quickly, then slowly walked up to me. "In the face of absolute power, everything else is just for show. Since you don't want to talk nicely, we'll have to do it this way."
My chest tightened until I could barely breathe. I looked at him and smiled coldly. "Don't celebrate too soon. Someone will come looking for me very soon. You'd better let me leave alive."
He chuckled. "Not just anyone dares to come here. Benjamin should have told you already. If you can get that thing back, you can live. If you can't, you'll be on the news tomorrow."
I took a deep breath, silently hoping Oscar would find help soon, or I might really die here today.
After unlocking my phone with my face, he scrolled through the call log and stopped at that unfamiliar number. He held the screen up to me, leaned down, and said softly, "Tell him to destroy what he has, or you'll be in danger."
I could only pretend to comply. "Even if I say it, why would he compromise for me?"
He chuckled, "He will. People like him who think they're good won't risk your life. Make the call. You should know, if we can't get that thing back, anyone in there could make you die several times over."
Before he could make the call, my phone showed Oscar calling.
He glanced at the screen and answered.
Oscar's anxious voice came through. "Emily, are you okay? I'm almost there, wait for me."
I quickly shouted, "Go find help, don't come alone."
Aubrey grabbed the phone, pressed a finger to her lips to silence me, then said into it, "Oscar, if you dare bring anyone else..."
He suddenly pulled out a gun, aiming it at me and pulled the trigger.
A gunshot rang out. My calf, already numb from pain, was hit with another wave of agony that made me cry out.
I heard Oscar's voice on the phone, almost hysterical. "Emily, what did you do to her? Don't hurt her, please."
Aubrey looked satisfied watching me moan in pain. "As long as you do what I say, I won't hurt her. Now tell me, besides you, did anyone else come here? Every time you lie, I'll break another part of her body. I have my own sources, so think carefully before you speak."
There was a pause on the other end, then he replied quickly, "Yes, besides me, there's military backup. I can hold them off, you should leave now. I promise I won't pursue this or call it kidnapping."
"Don't try to negotiate with me." Aubrey snapped. "Now send them a message, tell everyone to stand down and stop investigating. You understand— if I'm going down, I'm taking her with me."
Oscar quickly agreed. "Okay, I promise. I'll tell them right away."
"Don't hang up," Aubrey added.
Oscar sounded anxious as he said, "But I need to call them..."
Aubrey pulled the trigger again, the bullet hitting the ground in front of me.
"Okay, I won't hang up, I won't." Oscar's voice was almost a shout. "I'll do whatever you say, just don't hurt my fiancée."
Tears streamed down my face. I didn't know if it was from physical pain or emotional overwhelm, but I could clearly sense Oscar's panic and helplessness. He was so scared his voice was shaking. I had never seen him like this.
The roar of an engine came through the phone, followed by the screech of brakes. Oscar shouted, "Stop, everyone stop."
There were chaotic sounds on the other end, likely someone speaking over a walkie talkie. Someone asked Oscar, "What's going on? We've locked onto the location. The sooner move, the sooner we can rescue the hostage."
"No, you can't go." Oscar's tone was urgent. "My fiancée is in danger right now. You need to think about her safety first."
"Okay, calm down. What exactly happened?" someone asked.
"Don't ask. Just don't go there." After Oscar finished speaking, he started his car again and quickly drove off.
"Don't come," I shouted into the phone.
If Oscar was thinking straight, he should understand this wasn't the time to be a hero. Coming alone would only increase their advantage.
Aubrey kicked my leg, and the pain made everything go black. I nearly passed out. Sweat poured down my forehead. I was in so much pain I lost my voice.
A black gun barrel pressed against my head. Aubrey's expression was calm, but his words were vicious, "Say one more word and this bullet goes straight through your head."
He had really lost it!
But thinking about it, it made sense. If they found solid evidence, he was definitely a dead man, so now he was desperate.
Soon someone came over and whispered something in his ear.
A smile appeared on Aubrey's face, and he waved the person away.
When he turned to look at me, the smile had completely disappeared. "Who would've thought a nobody like you would force me to leave. Tell me, how should I settle this score with you?"