Colton was head over heels for Quinn, but after everything that went down, how could he possibly keep chasing after her? After tonight, he might finally snap out


    of it.


    Trailing behind ra, Scarlette finally spoke. "ra, I''ve gotta admit, I underestimated you. Do you have another n tucked away? Colton seemed pretty wound up back there. What if Quinn manages to sweet-talk him? Are we seriously not going to do anything else?"


    ra pulled off her disguise, her eyes twinkling brighter than the stars. “Nah. I know Quinn too well; she won''t leave any loose ends."


    "What do you mean?" Scarlette asked, intrigued.


    ra gave a sly smile. "She''s all about maintaining her perfect image, but now that Colton''s seen the real her, he can''t be allowed to live."


    Basically, Quinn would handle it herself and pin Colton''s death on the kidnappers from tonight. It''d all be swept under the rug, allowing her to carry on with her innocent act.


    Scarlette raised an eyebrow, grinning. "You''re sharp, really sharp. So, should we step in and save Coltonter?"


    ra settled into the car, a satisfied grin on her face. "I''ve already tipped off the Warren family. They''re on their way to rescue Colton. If we save him, he''ll just think it''s another test of love. But if the Warren family steps in, it''ll mean somethingpletely different."


    Scarlette gave her a thumbs-up. "That''s brilliant."


    Colton and Quinn remained at the construction site. Colton was still in shock. His view of Quinn was shattered, but a tiny part of him still held onto hope.


    "Quinn, did you really not hesitate for even a second?" he asked, disbelief etched on his face.


    Quinn''s face was pale, her back straight, her palms mmy with cold sweat. She hadn''t thought things would go this far. She figured Colton would be a goner after drinking that bottle, but now everything had flipped on its head.


    A sh of cold determination crossed her eyes. That recording everyone was gossiping about was still going viral. If Colton bbed about tonight, her five-year act of innocence would unravel.


    She nced at the knife ra had dropped and quickly bent to pick it up.


    Colton''s heart, which had held a sliver of hope, was now gripped by terror upon seeing her grab the knife. "Quinn, what are you doing?" he asked, panic rising.


    Quinn''s face was a mask of indifference; all her previous frailty and innocence had vanished, reced by a chilling ruthlessness.


    "Colton, you can''t me me. Tonight, you''re going to be one of the kidnappers'' victims. Don''t worry, I''ll avenge you by finding the one behind all this," she said, her voice cold.


    Colton stared at her, disbelief in his eyes, as thest shred of hope crumbled. His face turned ghostly pale. He still believed this was just a nightmare.


    Quinn didn''t hesitate; she never did when it came to matters like this. The knife plunged into Colton''s chest without warning.


    Colton''s eyes were bloodshot, ring at her with burning hatred. "So this is who you really are, Quinn! You evil bitch! Just you wait!"


    His screams were heart-wrenching, filled with despair, but this only made Quinn more determined.


    "Colton, didn''t you say you''d give up anything for me? Now I''m asking for your life. It should be no different," she said as if it were the most natural thing in the world.


    Even in the act of murder, her face was calm. It was as if someone dying for her was just the way things should be.


    Colton''s pupils contracted violently, feeling the knife twist cruelly in his chest.


    Quinn was ruthless. Why hadn''t he seen her true colors before? He regretted it so much. If only he had another chance, he would...


    The door burst open as the Warren family bodyguards finally arrived. Hearing the footsteps, Quinn quickly dropped the knife, wiping off her fingerprints in a sh.


    She rushed to Colton''s side, putting on a show of panic. "Colton! Colton, are you okay? Don''t scare me like this! Somebody help!"


    Colton, barely conscious, saw through her act. He spat out a mouthful of blood in anger, and passed out.


    Quinn''s heart raced with unease, worried that Colton might survive. When no one was looking, she pressed hard on his wound.


    The bodyguards hurriedly took Colton to the hospital.


    Quinn anxiously waited in the corridor, her clothes stained with blood. The Warren family members soon arrived, but since Colton wasn''t a big shot like Richard, only his parents came.


    Quinn immediately broke into tears. "I''m so sorry, Mr. and Mrs. Warren. It''s all my fault. Colton and I were kidnapped tonight."


    The Warren family was too worried about Colton toy me on her, focusing instead on the oue of the operation.


    Quinn''s expression twisted slightly, silently praying that Colton wouldn''t pull through.


    Two hourster, the surgery was over, and the doctor came out, sounding relieved. "The knife missed his heart but came dangerously close. He''ll need to stay in intensive care for a while. If he recovers well, he should gradually heal over the next year."


    The Warren family wept with joy, while thest trace of color drained from Quinn''s face.


    Gripping her hand, they finally spoke with courtesy, "You''re Quinn, right? We''re d you''re safe too."


    Quinn couldn''t muster a smile. If Colton woke up, it would all be over for her. She needed toe up with a n.