Hostage Situation
"Don't worry, Jack. It'll be fine," Alison said.
"Tell Officer James and Rock to be careful. Don't get caught in Matthew's crossfire.” Jack picked up the phone to call Aidan.
"Got it." Aidan's words were barely out when a gunshot shattered the silence.
Jack rolled up the windows, revving the engine to pick up Officer James, Aidan, and Rock.
Gunfire erupted relentlessly. The three of them outside scrambled for cover.
The car shot forward like an arrow toward the nearest vehicle.
"Get in the car! Rock!" Jack shouted, rolling down the window.
But bullets kept flying toward Rock, preventing him from getting up.
"Jack, save others first. Come back for me last,” Rock yelled.
Suddenly, the gunfire stopped.
Pierre stood in the middle of the road, holding Emily at gunpoint with the barrel pressed against her forehead.
"Emmy..." Alison opened the car door without hesitation and leaped out.
"Alison, get back in!" Jack shouted anxiously, his drug cravings surging.
"Pierre, let her go." Alison strode toward the pair.
"Alison, stop! Don't come any closer! Get away!" Emily growled hoarsely, her body trembling with fear.
"Pierre, let her go. I'll be your hostage,” Alison said.
"Really?" Pierre asked.
“Alison, don't become his hostage!” Jack panicked inside the car and violently flung open the door.
Alison continued toward Pierre, her voice firm. "Yes."
"No, Alison!" Jack cried out.
"Don't be foolish, Alison! Falling into Pierre's hands means you're finished."
"I only want Emmy to be free," Aidan shouted. "Pierre, promise me you will.”
Pierre stared blankly at the woman before him, his heart softening slightly.
"Fine, but you must guarantee safe passage for my father and me. No more of these men or police pursuing us,” he stated.
With Alison in hand, that letter will be ours. The Polar Bear Alliance might finally have a chance.
"Agreed," Alison replied calmly.
Pierre swiftly released Emily, grabbed Alison's arm, pressed the gun barrel against her head.
"Let us leave. Otherwise, she dies first," he sneered.
At that moment, everyone froze, not daring to move.
"No, Alison! Come back!" Jack shouted, his voice trembling with near-madness.
"Let me go, Jack. I'll be fine," Alison said firmly.
Jack leaned against a car, trembling with fear and rage.
"Let's go." Pierre led Alison toward Matthew's vehicle.
The door swung open, and the two of them squeezed into the backseat.
"Drive!" Pierre slammed the door shut.
“Where to?” The driver started the engine.
"Out of town!"
The car pulled away from the curb, its tires screeching.
Jack watched Alison's retreating figure, his eyes stinging.
Inside the car, Pierre lowered the gun pointed at Alison slightly.
"Aunt Cassandra, please tell me where my mother is." Alison glanced at Cassandra, who was seated by the other door.
"I won't say," Cassandra chuckled smugly. "What about your incestuous relationship? That's major news. I can't wait to see the uproar when it hits tomorrow's papers.”
"I'm afraid I'll have to disappoint you about Jack and me being siblings," Alison said with a faint smile.
Cassandra's expression darkened.
"My DNA test results are in. Emily and I are sisters, but Jack and I are not related by blood. Disappointed?" Alison asked with certainty.
"You...what did you say? You and Jack aren't related?" Cassandra demanded, stunned.
"Yes."
"Is what you said true, Alison?" Matthew spoke up.
"Yes. But Officer James never told me who my father is."
Matthew swiftly pulled out his phone and spoke into it. "Have someone retrieve Alison and Emily's DNA test reports. Take photos and send them to me immediately.”
Furious, he hung up as his body trembled.
About ten minutes later, his phone rang.
He unlocked the screen to reveal a freshly photographed DNA report.
Could Emily and Alison truly be the kids Daphne bore for me?
After reading the report, Matthew's trembling intensified.
"Tell me where Daphne is. Otherwise, you know the consequences, Cassandra," he threatened.
"I don't know. She and Maxim left City S already, Mr. Bruce,” Cassandra replied flatly.
"Give me the gun, Pierre," Matthew ordered in a low voice.
"Why do you need the gun? Dad? Don't you already have one?" Pierre asked, puzzled.
"Because someone else needs this gun more right now. Perhaps only a bullet can make someone talk," he explained.
Pierre reluctantly handed the gun to him.
Matthew deftly took it, aimed the muzzle at Cassandra's hand, and fired instantly.
"Bang!" A dull thud echoed as Cassandra's finger was struck and blood gushed forth.
"Ah!" Cassandra screamed in agony.
"Tell me, or I'll blow your finger to pieces. Cassandra," Matthew said coldly.