Chapter 76 Why Did You Try So Hard to Save Me?

Seizing the opportunity, Shirley swung her foot and nailed the leader of the men right in the back of his head.

Feeling the kick, the leader grabbed his gun, ready to shoot, but Shirley was quick and grabbed his hand.

In the scuffle, the leader managed to pull the trigger. The bullet hit some flammable stuff in the cage, and the warehouse went up in flames instantly.

Kenneth saw the fire spreading fast. He hadn't planned on leaving, but staying now meant certain death. He slipped Shirley's phone into his pocket, got up, and knocked the leader out cold with one punch. If he didn't act, they'd all be toast.

Shirley was stunned by Kenneth's move. He shot her a cold look and said, "Didn't you want to leave? Or are you waiting to get roasted?"

He was pissed at Shirley, but seeing her wrestle with the guy for the gun made him nervous. He didn't want her to get hurt.

Kenneth thought he must be losing it; why else would he care if Shirley got hurt? Now that he'd taken out the guy for her, she still wasn't moving.

Just then, the guy on the ground took advantage of their distraction, pulled out a dagger, and grabbed Kenneth, pressing the blade to his neck.

"Watch out!" Shirley yelled, but it was too late.

The guy, seething with anger, said, "You ambushed me! If I don't get my money today, no one's leaving."

Kenneth's face was stone-cold; this guy and Shirley were wild cards in his plan. He glanced at the raging fire, feeling a twinge of worry. If this guy kept them tied up, they'd all burn.

Seeing the dagger at Kenneth's neck, Shirley felt a wave of panic. She didn't want him to get hurt.

"Don't come any closer! Back off!" The guy was furious at Shirley. As she approached, he pressed the dagger harder, drawing blood from Kenneth's neck.

Seeing the blood, Shirley's heart skipped a beat, and she felt like she couldn't breathe.

Kenneth winced at the pain, glaring at Shirley and thinking, 'What is she doing? She's gonna get me killed!'

Shirley ignored his anger. She knew if she left now, Kenneth would die. She had to save him.

The guy, seeing Shirley still staring him down, lost it and stabbed Kenneth in the shoulder, then pressed the dagger back to his neck.

"Okay, I'm backing off," Shirley said, trying to calm him as she stepped back.

Seeing the blood pouring from Kenneth's shoulder, Shirley's heart ached.

A minute ticked by, and Shirley just stood there, eyes locked on the man in black. Kenneth's face was getting paler from the injury.

Since Shirley hadn't said anything to rile him up, the man in black started to calm down. Seizing the moment, Shirley took a tiny step forward.

The man in black tensed up immediately, pointing the dagger at her. "Move, and I'll kill him right now."

As the dagger aimed at her, Shirley knew this was her chance. She lunged at the man in black, grabbing his hand and wrestling the dagger away.

Realizing what was happening, the man in black freaked out and tried to stab her. But Shirley twisted his arm and broke it, his screams echoing through the warehouse. Ignoring his cries, she kicked him to the ground.

With flames closing in, Shirley knew they had to get out, fast. She grabbed Kenneth and bolted, not even noticing her hand was cut.

Kenneth felt a weird sensation as she dragged him along, running for their lives. Seeing her risk everything to save him, he suddenly thought maybe Shirley wasn't so bad after all.

They burst outside, gasping for air. Once they were safe, Shirley let go of his hand. "Alright, you're safe now! Remember, you owe me money! I don't save people for free!"

Kenneth didn't even have time to process her words before he collapsed into her arms.

"What are you doing!" Shirley exclaimed, feeling his weight slump against her.

"Kenneth! Kenneth!" she called out, panic rising.

Getting no response, she quickly grabbed her phone from his pocket and called an ambulance. The ambulance arrived in no time. After the medics loaded Kenneth in, she hopped in with them.

At the hospital, the doctor gave Shirley's hand a quick treatment before she rushed to wait outside the emergency room for Kenneth.

Pacing anxiously, Shirley felt a wave of panic, fearing Kenneth might not make it. Finally, the emergency room doors swung open.

Shirley hurried over to the doctor. "How is he?"

"He's out of danger. The dagger missed any vital organs. He passed out from blood loss. With about a week's rest, he should be almost fully recovered," the doctor said.

"Thank you!" Shirley sighed in relief.

In the ward, Kenneth woke up and silently watched Shirley, feeling conflicted. She had messed up his plan, and he wanted to punish her. But thinking about how she risked her life to save him, he felt a bit reluctant.

"Why are you staring at me?" Shirley asked, feeling uneasy under his gaze.

Kenneth had never looked at her like this before. His eyes were too complicated today. She couldn't figure him out.

"Why did you risk your life to save me?" Kenneth asked softly.