Chapter 186 The police and ambnce arrived swiftly . The two assants were taken into custody . At the hospital , outside the emergency room . na and Lucy stood anxiously in the corridor . Lucy paced back and forth , muttering repeatedly : " She''ll be fine , she has to be fine … " na remained grimly silent , leaning against the wall with her eyes downcast , lips pressed into a tight line . Soon , Randolph and Victoria arrived , having rushed over upon receiving the news .
" How is Thalia ? " Randolph asked na urgently . na kept her eyes lowered , her face filled with remorse as she replied in a strained voice : " She took a bullet to the chest , sir . We don''t know if it hit her heart . " Randolph staggered at these words , nearly losing his bnce . " How could this happen ? " His eyes widened in disbelief , filled with anguish . " It''s my fault … " Lucy spoke up , her eyes red - rimmed and voice breaking .
" The bullet wouldn''t have hit Thalia from that angle . It should have been me . She pushed me out of the way - that''s why she was shot… I''m so sorry . It''s all my fault … " " Mr. Winters , these weren''t ordinary attackers , " na said gravely . " I engaged both men . They were professionally trained mercenaries . I recognized this marking on one of their necks - it''s the tattoo worn by mercenaries working for Russia''srgest criminal organization .
" na showed Randolph a photo on her phone - one she had taken before the police arrived . The image showed the man who had copsed from the sedative , with a distinctive ck gun - shaped tattoo on the back of his neck . Randolph stared at the photo , murmuring : " Russia''srgest criminal organization ? That''s not … " " Malfoy''s men , " a cold voice finished his sentence . Randolph looked up to see Asher approaching with rapid strides , his expression severe .
" I was careless , " Asher said , his brow deeply furrowed . "Malfoy isn''t dead . The body found in the rubble was a 10:12 Your Gold Digger is Actually A True Heiress 98.4 % decoy he had prepared " Malfoy again ? " Randolph''s breathing grew heavy with anger " Your feud with him is your business - why does my family keep getting caught in the crossfire ? Thalia broke things off with youpletely . Why is he still targeting ber ? Asher & dark eyes were filled with profound sadness .
" Because of me " Tm sorry , sir . " Asher continued , his voice deep with emotion . " Before the Russian election , I had everything arranged . I personally flew to Russia to deal with Malfoy . Our n was perfect , but there was a traitor among my people who warned him . He left a body double behind while he escaped through an underground tunnel in disguise . " " We worked with the Russian government to dismantle Malfoy''s entire operation .
We believed he was dead and that Thalia would no longer be threatened , which is why I started seeing her again … " Malfoy has los everything - his armed forces have either been killed or surrendered . He has no chance of rebuilding his empire . He''s desperate now , back in Britain solely for revenge against me . He wants to take me down with him . The men who attacked Thalia were part of his escape team , acting on his orders , while Malfoy himself came after me .
" Only after Asher finished speaking did Randolph notice his injuries . His ck shirt concealed the bloodstains , but blood had trickled down to his hand . The bright red stood out starkly against his pale skin . Lucy noticed it too . She didn''t understand all the talk about Malfoy and Russian operations , but she understood that the attackers weren''t ordinary criminals - which exined how they had a gun in a country with strict firearmws . " Mr. ckwood , you''re injured too .
You should get medical attention , " Lucy said , rmed by the blood on his hand . Asher shook his head . " I''m staying here with Lia . " " Asher ckwood , " Randolph''s eyes zed red with fury as he red at Asher , each word dripping with hatred : " If my Thalía … He couldn''t bring himself toplete the sentence- " doesn''t survive . " After a pause , Randolph continued through gritted teeth : " I will make your family pay , even if it costs me everything I have !
" " Malfoy has been apprehended by the police , " Asher said , his eyes downcast . " This time , there''s no escape for hins " Sir , " Asher raised his eyes to meet Randolph''s furious gaze . " If Thalia … I''ll give my life for hers . " This deration stunned everyone present . 98.6 % andripetare , ut tory w wen n * typically and inades , we vishly derket The first , with me ab , would actually end his life res this ? Bandrid quickly recovered leaning cold sort before dating " Your lide ?
What good is that ? If something happens to Tha , will giving up you if babg by bark Ader''s brow furrowed deeply as he pressed his lips together , saying nothing " Time " Tacy legen bestandig " Mr. Winters , Thalia is still being treated . The oue isn''t certain yet . She''s such a good person - surely fate wouldn''t be soul .. " Her voice caked with emotion , unable to continue . " Thats right , Thalia will be fine .
Randolph , don''t assume the worst … " Victoria gently patted Randolph''s bark , her voice soothing Despite her words , Victoria''s eyes reddened with unshed tears . Though Thalia wasn''t her biological daughter , she had always treated her as her own . Over the years , Thalia''s attitude toward her had gradually shifted from resentment and rejection to eptance . Thalia''s career was just taking off , everything moving in a positive direction . How could this happen …?
She was still so young Soon , Rupert , Justin Felton , and other partners from the firm arrived , followed by various friends including the Darwin siblings , Sebastian , Christine , Mark , and Teresa . The corridor grew crowded , yet everyone remained silent , the packed hallway eerily quiet . The atmosphere was heavy with dread . Everyone silently prayed that Thalia would safely make it through this ordeal . ( 5 )