?Chapter 1119:


    Ste straightened her shoulders. “You call this a meeting? This is kidnapping. Release us now.”


    Drake chuckled, his tone disturbingly pleasant. “You can walk out if you oblige us with a small favor.”


    He paused, his gaze steady on her. “Stop investigating Erebus and hand over all the evidence William has collected. Do that, and we’ll let you and your friend go in one piece.” He nced at Jeff as he spoke.


    Her response was immediate. “Never.”


    Erebus had taken her mother’s life. Handing over the evidence would mean letting that death go unanswered.


    Drake’s expression barely changed. “Then I suppose we’ll need to use more persuasive methods.”


    At his signal, several men seized Jeff and dragged him into the middle of the room. Drake reached into his coat and produced a syringe, the liquid inside catching the light like ss.


    “This is a nerve agent,” he exined calmly. “It won’t kill him, but it will make him wish it did. Every minute, another dose—until you decide to cooperate.”


    Ste’s pulse thundered in her ears. Her voice trembled, but she held her ground. “You want me. Let him go.”


    Drake shook his head slowly. “You don’t understand your position, Ms. Russell. You’ve got nothing to bargain with.”


    He moved toward Jeff, the syringe poised in his hand.


    Jeff clenched his jaw, his body taut, refusing to give Drake the satisfaction of a reaction. Sweat trickled down his temple, but he didn’t say a word.


    Right before the needle could touch Jeff’s arm, Ste suddenly cried out, “Wait! I might agree to what you want, but give me a moment to think it through.”


    Drake arched a brow, his tone t. “How long are we talking?” He clearly remembered how Ste had stalled for time before, so he wasn’t about to fall for it again so easily.


    “Just thirty minutes,” she said firmly. “I need to clear my head and decide.”


    Drake shared a look with Nina before reluctantly nodding. “Fine. But don’t even think about pulling another stunt, or your friend will pay for it.”


    Two guards escorted Ste to a corner, keeping a sharp eye on her every move.


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    Her gaze darted around the room as her thoughts spun, desperately searching for even the smallest chance to escape.


    The minutes crawled by. Then, just as her time was nearly up, a loud crash from outside shattered the tense silence, followed by the unmistakable sounds of a fierce fight.


    Everyone tensed. Drake turned toward the door, his voice sharp as ice. “What’s going on out there?”


    A man ran in, panting hard. “Boss, William’s here. He brought backup!”


    Drake’s eyes turned icy. “Go with n B. Get Ste out through the secret tunnel.”


    Through the confusion, Ste spotted William at the front of the group, leading a fierce charge into the vi as they shed violently with Drake’s men.


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