Chapter 378

Liam couldn't stand seeing Evelyn's pain. He pulled her into a fierce embrace, whispering comforting words against her ear. "Cassandra, you need to stay strong."

Evelyn buried her face in Liam's chest, her body shaking with violent sobs. "Liam, that monster murdered my parents."

His lips brushed her temple as he murmured, "You must be strong now. Justice will be served."

She gave a determined nod, tears still streaming down her face. "Alright."

"Are you ready?" Liam cradled the back of her head gently, drawing her so close their bodies melded together, confusing the armed men surrounding them.

Evelyn nodded again. In one fluid motion, Liam plucked the decorative hairpin from her updo and fired at Victor Holloway lying on the bed.

The suppressed gunshot was barely audible. Before anyone could react, a perfect crimson dot appeared on the old man's forehead.

Victor's body went rigid, his eyes frozen open in death.

As Julian Prescott realized what happened, he reached for his weapon - only to find Liam aiming the hairpin gun directly between his eyes.

Every gun in the room swung toward the couple.

"Please," Julian begged, sweat beading on his forehead. "Don't kill me."

Liam swiftly disarmed him and handed the weapon to Evelyn.

She accepted it calmly, wiping her tears before pressing the barrel against Julian's temple.

"Release Mr. Prescott," one gunman demanded, "or we'll shoot you both."

Evelyn moved with deliberate grace, retrieving the case containing the Azurium and slipping it into her pocket.

She addressed the room coolly, "Try anything, and I'll use him as my personal shield."

Julian raised his hands, though a smirk played on his lips as he studied the device in Liam's hand.

Never had he encountered such an ingenious weapon - compact yet deadly, disguised as an ordinary hair accessory. No one would suspect its lethal potential.

"How..." Julian's voice shook. "How did you smuggle that in?"

Evelyn stepped closer. "Tell me, do you know Cassandra Wright?"

"We've hunted her for years. Of course we know her," Julian replied.

A humorless laugh escaped her lips. "But do you know her other profession?"

Julian's face drained of color. His throat worked before he rasped, "Systems engineer."

Evelyn hummed in confirmation. Then she gestured to the others. "Arrange a speedboat if you want him alive."

"Move!" Julian barked at his men. "Now!"

His subordinates scrambled to obey.

Julian glanced at Victor's corpse, eyes still wide in shock. The old man had died without even realizing he'd been shot.

"Why kill him but keep me?" Julian asked, genuinely puzzled.

Evelyn's voice remained steady. "If we'd taken him hostage, your men would have killed us all - including him. If we take you, his men would do the same."

"Neither of you would compromise for the other. With him dead, you're in charge. You're the logical hostage."

A cold smile touched her lips as she examined the weapon. "Let me demonstrate the firepower of my little invention."