Katelyn seized Vincent’s arm, her fingers trembling. “Wait!”

Vincent pivoted, concern etched across his face. “What’s wrong?” Her heart clenched at the sight of his bleeding wound. Without hesitation, she scattered the medicinal powder across the raw flesh. The remedy would at least staunch the bleeding. Within moments, she finished her hurried treatment. “Okay, go.”

But fate had other plans. Like shadows materializing from the darkness, Sophia’s men emerged, their submachine guns trained with deadly precision on Katelyn and Vincent. Arrogance radiated from their every movement. Their leader, wearing a black mask adorned with menacing fangs, cut an intimidating figure as he addressed the pair, who had barely stepped away from their car.

“Release her, or none of us will walk away from this unscathed!” His voice rang with the certainty of someone accustomed to absolute obedience.

Katelyn studied their adversary, sensing the power that radiated from him. His very presence spoke of his high standing with Sophia. “Seems like negotiation is unnecessary now,” she declared, her voice steely.

In an instant, weapons rose on both sides, the air crackling with lethal tension. As triggers begged to be pulled, Samuel emerged from the car, his gun pressed against Sophia’s temple. “Move a muscle,” he growled, his voice dripping with murderous intent, “and she dies where she stands.”

The sight of their boss in peril froze Sophia’s men in their tracks. None dared risk her life—none except the man behind the fanged mask. His unwavering gaze remained locked on Vincent and Katelyn, his weapon steady as stone. A cold smirk twisted beneath his mask. “Perhaps you should pull that trigger now.”

The words carried the weight of long-harbored anticipation, his eyes gleaming with barely contained eagerness.

Sophia regarded the man with glacial detachment. “Betrayal’s price is always death!” Her final word birthed a wave of killing intent.

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In a blur of motion, her elbow shot toward Samuel’s body. Though he managed to brace himself, the impact still rattled his bones. His grip on the weapon faltered, his fingers betraying him at the crucial moment.

Sophia struck at his wrist like a viper. Despite Samuel’s lightning reflexes, he was still a heartbeat too slow. Her iron grip crushed his wrist, draining strength from his fingers until they hung useless.

As Sophia reached for the falling gun, twin barrels—wielded by Katelyn and Vincent—found their mark against her skull.

“Make your move—if you’re willing to forfeit your life,” Katelyn’s words cut through the tension like ice.

Sophia fixed Katelyn with a penetrating stare, her eyes dancing with hidden knowledge. “Will you really end me? If I possessed what you seek, I’d already be dead. Why hesitate until this moment?” Her words revealed a dangerous understanding of Katelyn’s motives.

Without a flicker of emotion, Katelyn’s ice-cold eyes locked onto her target. The gun roared to life, sending a bullet tearing through Sophia’s shoulder blade.

Everyone was shocked. In an instant, weapons pivoted—Sophia’s men training their sights on Katelyn while Vincent’s forces aimed at Sophia. The audacity of attacking Sophia in plain view left everyone reeling. Katelyn swept her arctic gaze across the armed men.

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