Chapter 46 Han Confronts Julius
Chapter 46 Han Confronts Julius.
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Just as Quinn opened her mouth to respond, a voice called out from behind her. “Looks like I showed up just in time. If you want to take a shot at me, be my guest. But if you’re dreaming of keeping Quinnie by your side… forget it.”
The voice froze Quinn in ce.
Slowly, she turned, and there he was, Han, standing calmly in the center of the shooting range.
She widened her eyes. <i>What’s </i><i>he </i><i>doing </i><i>here</i><i>? </i>
Within moments, he had already crossed over to her side. “Quinnie, Laura told me you were here, so I came to see you. Did you return the clothes?”
“Yes… I did,” Quinn replied softly, already piecing together that Laura must’ve tipped him off.
“Let’s go,” Han said, reaching out to gently unsp Quinn’s hand from Julius‘ cor. His gaze locked onto Julius’s, sharp and unflinching. “If you really think you can mess with me, Mr. Whitethorn, and treat me like some toy to pass the time, then go ahead. Give it your best shot.”
Julius’s brow furrowed, but it wasn’t the words that unsettled him; it was the sight of their joined hands.
It struck him with the same force as that day at the hospital entrance when he saw Han holding Quinn tightly in his arms, as if he’d never let go.
“In this world, nothing stays certain. One moment you’re the hunter, and the next, you’re the prey.” With that, he took Quinn’s hand and walked away without so much as a backward nce.
In Jexburgh, few dared to challenge Julius Whitethorn.
Julius’s voice rang out suddenly. “Mr. Wooley, do you think I could ever be prey?”
Fabian froze for a beat before replying, “Impossible, sir.”
<i>No </i><i>one </i><i>has </i><i>guts </i><i>to </i><i>think </i><i>of </i>Mr. <i>Whitethorn </i><i>as prey</i>. <i>Even </i><i>if </i><i>Mr. </i><i>Ingram </i><i>is </i><i>known </i><i>as </i><i>Jexburgh’s </i><i>little </i><i>tyrant</i>, <i>he’s </i>still <i>not </i><i>on </i><i>Mr. </i><i>Whitethorn’s </i><i>level</i><i>. </i>
“But in this world, there’s always an exception,” Julius murmured, his eyes drifting to the gun Quinn had used earlier. “If one day I really do be the prey… who do you think the hunter would be?”
Fabian hesitated. <i>Who </i><i>could</i><i>, </i><i>and </i><i>who </i><i>would </i><i>dare </i><i>hunt </i><i>Mr. </i><i>Whitethorn</i>?
Meanwhile, outside the shooting range, Quinn walked alongside Han. A light breeze brushed past as she nced at him and asked, “Aren’t you worried Julius might actuallye after you after what vou said?”
Han’s expression remainedposed. “I said what I meant. Why would I be afraid?”
“But Julius isn’t like most people,” she said quietly. “No matter how capable you are, he…”
“Quinnie, do you really think I’m that incapable?” Han asked, his voice calm but firm. “I’m not the same reckless kid who used to charge around the military camp anymore. If Julius really wants toe after me, he’d better be ready for mutual destruction.”
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Chapter 46 Han Confronts Julius
Seeing the quiet confidence in Han’s eyes, Quinn didn’t respond right away.
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After all, what had already happened couldn’t be changed. When the time came, they would just have to– face it one step at a time.
Han added, “Besides, you stood up for me just now. You grabbed Julius by the cor and all. That was pretty fierce. Weren’t you scared?”
“Me?” Quinn let out a dryugh. “This whole mess started because of me anyway. And besides… Han, you and I are different. You have your parents, a big family who loves and worries about you. If something happened to you, a lot of people would be devastated. But me? I’m alone. If something were to happen to me… well…”
Before she could finish, he cut her off.
“What, Quinnie, do you really think no one would care if something happened to you?” Han tightened his grip on her hand. “If anything ever did, I can’t speak for anyone else, but I’d tear through hell and high water, even stake my life, to avenge you.”
She looked at the man who used to be just a boy following her around in the military camp, someone who once needed her protection like a little brother. But now, the innocence of youth had faded from his face<b>, </b>reced by calm conviction and unwavering strength.
And in that moment, as she looked into his eyes, she knew that he meant every word.
“I… I’m not that easy to take down,” she said, her voice low and slightly hoarse. “Have you forgotten what I’m capable of?”
Han let out a softugh. “That’s true. And don’t worry. I won’t let anything happen to you.”
Once they got into the car, Han asked, “Would it be all right if I visited your parents‘ resting ce?”
Quinn was momentarily taken aback, only to hear him add, “If I had known you were going to collect their ashes, I would’ve gone with you. No matter what.”
Her eyes grew red, touched by his sincerity. “Just hearing you say that is more than enough. They haven’t been buried yet. I’ve ced their ashes at the funeral parlor for now.”
Without another word, Han started the car and headed straight to the funeral parlor.
When they arrived, Quinn led him to the ce where her parents‘ ashes were stored. She stood silently before the sandalwood box. Draped across the top was the national g.
That g was what her parents had vowed to protect, even at the cost of their lives.
Quinn pressed her palms together/bowing her head in silent respect. In just a few days, she would return to her hometown, where she nned toy them to rest in the Hero’s Memorial Garden.
<i>Dad</i><i>, </i><i>Mom</i><i>… </i><i>just </i><i>give </i><i>me </i><i>a </i>few more <i>days</i><i>, </i>Quinn silently said in her heart.
When she opened her eyes, she turned to see Han bowing deeply before her parents‘ ashes. His posture was solemn, his voice steady as he spoke. “Mr. and Mrs. Bridger, please rest assured. I will take care of Quinn. I won’t let her be hurt again.”