Chapter 1384:


    Herposure never wavered, calm and collected amid the turmoil. But Chris knew that if Cohen ended up in Kiley’s or Kolton’s hands, he might never live to see a trial—he would be silenced. That could not happen.


    Just as Chris took a step forward, a sudden movement caught his eye. Another figure was rushing toward Maia through the shadows.


    His heart leapt. Was it a backup n?


    Chris caught the motion in a single nce. They were about to shoot. The target was unmistakable—Maia.


    Oh no!


    Chris pivoted instinctively, sprinting toward her with all his strength. His movements were a blur of urgency.


    But the assassin had already raised the gun.


    It was toote.


    Without a moment’s hesitation, Chris lunged at Maia, throwing himself into her path.


    The instant his hands touched her shoulders, a deafening bang cracked through the air.


    A gunshot rang out. A bullet streaked toward Maia.


    In that instant, it felt as though time itself had slowed to an impossible crawl. The air hung rigid and unmoving, the echoing noise around them muffled as if smothered by an unseen force. All the screams surrounding Maia drifted away.


    Maia’s eyes—clear and ss-bright—reflected Chris’s determined silhouette. His expression, usually icy, was now sharpened by unwavering resolve.


    He was leaping toward her, a bullet tearing through his shoulder.


    Blood burst out in a vivid spray, like red blossoms exploding in midair. The droplets scattered violently, falling onto Maia’s hands, streaking her face, spattering across the floor.


    It was so sudden—too sudden. Maia reacted quickly, but death’s approach was faster still. She hadn’t even been able to step aside.


    L?t??τ ?нαρτ?rs ιn g??l??ov?ls.??????


    “Chris!” Maia cried out, her voice cracking, raw and trembling. Her breath hitched, panic wing through her chest as if gripping her heart with iron fingers.


    She wrapped her arms around him, rolling backward to break the fall. Her movements were swift, desperate, threaded with terror.


    But the moment they hit the floor, her palms met something slick. Chris’s blood—warm, thick, horrifyingly real.


    Maia’s heart lurched. Tears spilled before she could stop them. She knew that warmth belonged to him.


    “Chris… wake up. Please, you’re scaring me,” she begged, her voice shaking so hard it barely sounded like her own.


    Chaos erupted around them. Screams, crashes, frantic movements—all merging into a tidal wave of panic.


    People bolted in every direction. Some women tripped, others tottered on broken heels toward the exit, and some dropped to their knees, shaking uncontrobly.


    Ss, hearing the shot, ran so frantically he lost a shoe, vanishing into the crowd within seconds.


    Pattie had copsed, legs giving out beneath her, gasping so fast it looked like she might pass out.


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