Eason''s hand froze.


    Just then, a sharpmand came from the entrance.


    "Eason, what do you think you''re doing?! Let her go now!"


    Everyone turned to see King Wright and Queen Wright, who had appeared at some


    point. Standing beside them was a handsome young man.


    The moment the bound Abby saw him, her eyes lit up.


    "Joshua!"


    Joshua gave a slight nod, his gaze fixed on Ste, who was being held at gunpoint by Eason.


    His longshes drooped, concealing the darkness in his eyes.


    Eason, however, did not lower his weapon. Instead, he said urgently, "Father, Mother, we can''t let this woman go! She controls a significant portion of The Williams Group''s original shares, as well as several cutting-edge techpanies. The Williams Group is rife with internal conflict. Even if she disappears and we take control of her, the Williams family will nevere looking for her. Aurora is Wright''s savior. We can use this connection, with Ste as a hostage, to help Aurora rise to power and gain countless benefits in return!"


    Eason''s words were simple, but King Wright and his wife understood their deeper meaning.


    Eason wanted to marry Aurora to gain control of the Williams family.


    His ambition was understandable. Aurora''s stake in the Williams family was not small among the daughters. Rather than gaining an ally through marriage, it was better to take control of the family itself.


    Eason''s ambition was vast, and he clearly didn''t think much of Aurora. As a royal prince, how could he not handle an illegitimate daughter raised in seclusion? The fact that he was willing to marry her should be something she was grateful for.


    King Wright and his wife were shaken by Eason''s ambition. They were tempted but couldn''t show it with so many people present, especially with Noah and the head of the Gardner family watching. They couldn''t exactly silence them both.


    Just as King Wright was considering whether to stall for time before making a decision, the situation suddenly changed.


    Taking advantage of Eason''s distraction, Ste grabbed his hand.


    Eason instantly snapped back to attention and tried to push her away, but with a swift twist Ste disarmed him, snatching the gun and pressing it to his temple.


    "King Wright," Ste said coldly, "release my friend immediately. Otherwise, I will shoot."


    Queen Wright''s face changed, and she pointed a finger at Ste, about to scream.


    "How dare you—"


    A gunshot rang out.


    A bullet pierced Eason''s shoulder, and he let out a pained scream.


    "Ah!"


    one


    Ste didn''t even blink. "I''ll give you one more chance. If you don''t release


    er the next bullet goes into Prince Wright''s head." >


    Ste''s ruthless willingness to open firepletely terrified King Wright and Queen Wright. Even Princess Wright felt a chill, relieved that it was Abby she had kidnapped today? Otherwise, that bullet might have been meant for her.


    Abby was an insignificant person; it wasn''t worth Eason getting injured over her.


    "Let her go!" King Wright ordered immediately. "Hurry up and release that woman!"


    Abby was quickly untied.


    "Joshua, take Abby and leave first," Ste said.