?Chapter 1066:


    Ste did not answer right away. She took in theyout, sizing up the room and the threat, before locking eyes with Nina. “You know this is kidnapping, right?” she said coolly. “You’re way out of line.”


    Nina hopped off the crate and strolled toward her, shrugging like it was nothing. “Kidnapping? Please. This is nothingpared to what you put me through.”


    She had not even let her guys rough Jeff up. He was tied up, sure, but otherwise untouched.


    She stopped just a step from Ste, her eyes gleaming with something sharp and twisted.


    “Alright, let’s make this interesting,” she said, her voice low and dangerous. “You’ve got two options. You end yourself—right here, right now—and I let him go. Or… my guys crush his hands so he’ll never hold a test tube again. Your call.”


    Jeff jerked in the chair, struggling against the ropes. His muffled grunts slipped past the tape, his eyes wide and pleading with Ste not to give in.


    Ste did not blink. Her voice stayed steady. “This is between you and me. Let him go, and I’m all yours.”


    Ninaughed sharply. “Wow. Look at you, ying the hero.” She gave a mock pout. “But why would I do what you want?”


    She nodded to one of the masked thugs. He stepped forward and raised a spiked metal rod, holding it just above Jeff’s hand.


    Ste’s heart lurched in her chest. She lunged at the guy, knocking him off bnce. The rod missed Jeff—but caught her arm. The spikes grazed deep, tearing through her skin. Blood spilled instantly.


    Jeff let out a muffled cry behind the tape, thrashing harder. Panic and guilt filled his eyes as he watched the blood run down her arm.


    Ste gritted her teeth, ignoring the pain. She turned back to Nina, fury in her eyes. “Happy now?” she snapped. “Or do you need a body to feel satisfied?”


    For the first time, Nina actually looked caught off guard, stunned by her courage.


    And then came the sound—police sirens wailing outside, closing in fast.


    Nina’s expression shifted from smug to panicked in a heartbeat. “You brought the cops? This wasn’t part of the agreement!” she shouted, pointing at Ste.


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    She had made it clear—no police. But somehow, Ste had pulled it off anyway.


    “Let’s go!” Nina barked at her men, already backing toward the rear exit. Before disappearing into the shadows, Nina shot Ste a venomous re. “You got lucky today,” she hissed. “But this isn’t over.”


    Momentster, William burst through the door, his eyes instantly locking onto Ste—her arm soaked in blood as she struggled to free Jeff.


    He rushed over, heart pounding. “Ste—stop moving. I’ve got you.”


    His voice trembled slightly. He turned to Luca, who had followed him in, instructing him to untie Jeff. Luca hurried over to Jeff while William checked Ste’s arm. “This looks bad.”


    The gash was deep and raw—definitely not something they could just walk off. If left untreated, she risked a nasty infection, tetanus even.


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