The intruder was Katelyn.

She stormed in, gun aimed directly at the shadowy figure.

“Don’t move! Drop whatever you’re holding.”

A flash of deadly intent crossed Shaun’s eyes, yet his demeanor remained calm, showing no panic—only a trace of admiration.

“I didn’t think you’d find this place so quickly.”

“Enough talk! Drop it now, or I’ll shoot.” Katelyn’s breathing was heavy, her face etched with tension.

She had decrypted the camera feed in record time and driven here without delay.

The thought of what might have happened if she’d arrived even a minute later made her shudder—how much more her master might have suffered.

Seymour, watching from where he sat, felt his eyes moisten.

After enduring years of torment, he had resigned himself to his fate. But his deepest wish, his sole hope, was to see Katelyn again.

Katelyn tightened her grip on the gun and spoke to Seymour with a determined voice. “I’m going to get you out of here.”

Shaun’s lips twisted into a cold smirk as he responded casually. “I must admit, I underestimated you. But how do you plan to take me on alone?”

As Shaun spoke, several figures clad in black emerged from the adjacent rooms, their guns trained on Katelyn.

What had been a moment of advantage for Katelyn quickly turned against her.

Shaun slowly clapped his hands, his voice cutting through the tense silence. “Sometimes I envy Seymour for having such an exceptional student. I value talent and am reluctant to harm you. Drop your gun now, and I’ll forget all that’s transpired.”

Katelyn stood her ground, her posture rigid.

Despite the intimidating mask, she felt a strange sense of familiarity, as though they had once known each other well. Her expression remained cold, and she tightened her grip on the gun.

“Enough. Release my master, or this ends here for both of us.” Her finger rested on the trigger, ready to fire at any moment.

Shaun’s gaze grew even more taunting.

From his elevated position, he exuded an air of authority, dominating the scene.

“You stand alone, while I have five behind me. How exactly do you envision us dying together?”

At that instant, Shaun’s men drew their weapons in unison. Seymour, looking worn and weary, shook his head at Katelyn. His voice was strained and raspy.

“Katelyn, go. This conflict is ours, and it doesn’t concern you.”

Katelyn’s response came out harsh, as though forced through clenched teeth. “Master, I can’t leave you here alone.”

For years, guilt had gnawed at her.

Had it not been for her, her master would never have been captured or subjected to such torture.

She resolved, no matter the cost, that she would not leave without her master—even if it meant dying alongside him.

Shaun let out a soft laugh, walking toward Katelyn, even though the gun was still aimed at him. Updates are released by Find1Novel.net

“What a poignant display of loyalty between master and student. How about a deal? Accept me as your master, forsake this old man, and perhaps I’ll spare you.”

His eyes gleamed with a strange admiration as he sized her up.

Not only was she incredibly intelligent, but her hacking skills were also exceptional.

She valued loyalty above all else. Most people would have abandoned even their family in such dire circumstances, but Katelyn had stuck by Seymour all this time.

Katelyn’s eyes flashed with contempt, her voice cold and unwavering. “I would never acknowledge you as my master. You disgust me.”

Shaun’s expression darkened. “I suggest you watch your tone. After all, I’m the one who dictates the rules here. You might as well call me God.”

As he spoke, Shaun laughed, his voice dripping with arrogance. He relished the power he held over others, as if he were a god controlling their fates.

For him, Seymour’s life or death was merely a decision to make.

Ending it all with Seymour’s death seemed the most satisfying conclusion for Shaun.

He refused to let Seymour dictate terms any longer.

Katelyn stared at him with disdain, her voice icy.

“You’re nothing more than garbage hiding behind a mask, perhaps because you’re afraid your hideous face might frighten people. If that’s the case, maybe I could find a shred of pity for you.”

Shaun’s expression hardened, his eyes gleaming with lethal intent.

“You’re pushing your luck!”

He grabbed a gun from one of his men and pressed it against Katelyn’s head.

“I could take your life right now.”

“Go ahead, pull the trigger,” Katelyn retorted, her voice steady. “But remember, you’ll never erase the evidence I’ve gathered about you.”

As Katelyn finished her words, a loud bang echoed through the air.

.

.

.