Chapter 216

Vivian moved like lightning. Her palm struck the man's chest with brutal force.

He gasped, doubling over as pain radiated through his body. Staggering backward, he lost his grip on her.

The crowd gasped in shock.

"You little—! This is your fault!" The man's face twisted with rage. His fingers yanked the bomb's safety pin.

Screams erupted around them.

"Move!"

Strong arms wrapped around Vivian, pulling her against a solid chest. She blinked up into Nathaniel's stormy eyes. His embrace felt like sanctuary—an unshakable fortress amidst chaos.

The explosion never came.

Only a pathetic puff of white smoke escaped the device.

"What—? Why didn't it—?" The man gaped at the inert bomb strapped to his waist. Confusion rippled through the onlookers.

Vivian smoothly extracted herself from Nathaniel's hold. A triumphant smirk curved her lips. "Your design was decent. But the safety mechanism? Pathetic." She flicked a nonexistent speck of dust from her sleeve. "I disabled it the moment you grabbed me. The gunpowder's been leaking for minutes."

The man's jaw dropped. "How the hell do you know bomb mechanics?"

"Enough to dismantle amateur toys like yours." Her smirk widened. The crude device had been child's play—she could've disabled it in her sleep.

"Damn, girl." Even as security subdued him, the man shook his head in grudging respect.

Murmurs of admiration spread through the crowd. No one expected the elegant woman in designer heels to possess such lethal skills.

Vivian shot Nathaniel a cheeky glance. "Saved your life again. You're welcome."

Nathaniel's expression darkened. Without a word, he turned on his heel and strode away.

"Hey! That's how you thank your savior?" Vivian huffed, hands on hips. What was his problem now? She took a step to follow—

A woman burst through the crowd, sobbing. "Isabella! My darling Isabella!" She flung her arms around the trembling girl.