The moment Neil’s finger nearly pressed the trigger, the roar of loud car engines echoed outside the villa.

Suddenly, the front door burst open before anyone inside could react.

Vincent, still wrapped in bandages, strode in front with a gun in hand.

Following him were Samuel and his crew, each armed with heavy weapons capable of reducing the villa to ashes.

On spotting the red mark on Katelyn’s cheek, Vincent’s eyes blazed with fury, and a deadly aura emanated from him.

He stared down Neil and Lise, treating them as if they were already corpses.

Vincent said through clenched teeth, his voice a chilling whisper, “It appears you’ve chosen death already!”

Neil’s eyes opened wide in shock. Despite thinking he had seamlessly orchestrated his plan, he had unexpectedly stumbled upon Vincent much sooner than anticipated.

He quickly wheeled himself over to Katelyn, pressing the cold barrel of his gun against her head.

“Drop your weapons if you want her to survive!” he threatened.

Katelyn felt utterly helpless. The nylon ropes that bound her were too sturdy, and her efforts to break free had been futile. Now, Neil was using her as a bargaining chip.

Fury contorted Neil’s face as he shouted, “Did you not hear me? Lower your weapons, everyone!”

Vincent’s grip on his gun firmed, his gaze cold and resolute.

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Recent chaos had clouded his memory of Neil still being in Yata. Somehow, from his hospital bed, Vincent had a nagging feeling that Katelyn might be in danger.

Jaxen had helped locate her and quickly found the villa.

With his gun in hand, Jaxen emerged from behind Vincent and said, with a hint of helplessness, “Really, man? Your legs are broken, and I think you might think your brain’s gone too. Holding a single hostage won’t stop us. We could shoot you down before you—”

“Even blink.” Despite the tense situation, Jaxen spoke in a casual, almost joking tone.

Through gritted teeth, Neil roared, “Fire a shot, and I’ll take Katelyn down with me!”

All eyes shifted to Vincent, anticipating his decision. Katelyn yelled, “Don’t worry about me! If anything happens to me, I know you’ll avenge me!”

After all the life-and-death moments Katelyn had been through, her fear of death had faded significantly. Vincent’s eyes held a depth and complexity that was hard to read.

Beneath the bright light, his sharp features stood out starkly, yet his dark eyes remained impassive. Eventually, Vincent cautiously set his gun on the floor. Seeing this, Samuel and the others did the same.

A rush of emotions surged through Katelyn at the sight. Vincent despised being threatened, yet time and time again, he made sacrifices for her.

Vincent raised his hands, his voice cold and firm. “The gun’s down. Now let her go.”

“You really think I’d let her go that easily? Think again!” Neil sneered.

Just then, Lise struggled to her feet and hurried over to Neil.

She had been dazed ever since her head hit the wall from the earlier blow.

“Everyone out, except for you!” Neil shouted, staring at Vincent.

Samuel hesitated and looked over at Vincent.

With a silent nod, Vincent gave him the signal.

Aware that Neil was unstable and that any rash action could lead him to harm Katelyn, Vincent knew he couldn’t take that risk.

With a grin and his hands raised, Jaxen asked, “I’m their friend. Surely I can stick around, right?”

Neil scoffed, “You, get out.”

Jaxen shrugged.

Catching the silent command in Vincent’s eyes, Jaxen left without further protest.

Now the room, once filled with people, had only four left. Neil still held his gun to Katelyn’s head, while Lise stood behind him.

Another raised gun was aimed at Vincent.

A mere two bullets could end it all.

“You care so much about Katelyn, don’t you? You’d give up anything for her, right? Here’s your chance to prove your loyalty again!” Neil sneered, tossing a knife at Vincent’s feet.

“Cut off your own hands, and you can take her with you.”

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