?Chapter 343:


    The government forces initially focused their assault on the far left.


    Unexpectedly, gunfire erupted from the right.


    The scarred man and his subordinates, trapped by the river to the north, found no route for escape. This was a textbook ambush. To their surprise, the intensity of the firepower from the right exceeded expectations. Armored vehicles, well-equipped and relentless, barreled through, decimating many of the scarred man’s men.


    Frustrated and desperate, the scarred man yelled, “Cease fire! Do you want the hostages harmed?”


    The government troops exchanged bewildered looks, unsure who wasunching the attack from the right.


    As the new force intensified their assault, the scarred man’s position quickly deteriorated. Despite their attempts to retaliate, his men couldn’t withstand the onught from the armored vehicles, operated by seasoned gunners, which left no one standing. Bloodshot-eyed and frantic, the scarred man shouted, “Stop, or the hostage dies next!”


    He assumed these were additional government forces, but his threats did not deter the aggressive attack from the right.


    Katelyn, meanwhile, clutched the handgun hidden in her pocket, suspecting Samuel was leading this unexpected support. Suddenly, her phone vibrated, disying Samuel’s name.


    She hastily connected her Bluetooth earbuds and answered.


    Samuel’s voice conveyed urgency. “Miss Bailey, stay calm. I’m on my way with more help. Is Mr. Adams with you? I couldn’t reach him.”


    “Vincent is their captive,” Katelyn whispered.


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    “They’re taking Mr. Adams hostage? Unbelievable! I’ll get him out. Stay safe,” Samuel responded before disconnecting.


    As Samuel’s reinforcements advanced, the scarred man’s forces rapidly diminished, and he retreated from the vehicle’s roof to seek cover.<fn200b> Th?s chapter is updated by find{n}ovel</fn200b>


    It dawned on him then that the attackers from the right were not allied with those on the left. Using hostages had previously swayed the government, but it proved…


    Ineffective against the extremists reveling in chaos and death, the scarred man grew increasingly frustrated. One of his subordinates approached anxiously.


    “Boss, what’s our next move?”


    The scarred man responded gruffly, “We fight them and take as many down with us as possible.” He nced at the hostages with disdain. “At least I can take them down with me.”


    A puzzled subordinate, looking at the opposition, asked, “Who are these people? They’re better equipped than us.”


    “Just kill them all,” the scarred man ordered, his eyes fixed on Vincent through his gun’s sights.


    Unable to intimidate the attackers from the right, he hoped to at least hold off the government forces. Vincent, observing the confrontation, calmly proposed, “I can get the right-side attackers to cease, but you must release us once it’s safe.”


    The scarred man, tense and suspicious, questioned, “They’re here for you?”


    “Yes,” Vincent responded, his calm demeanor concealing the lie. “I’ve angered a mob boss, and they’vee to retrieve me. They need me alive, so they won’t fire at me. Hand me over, and they’ll withdraw.”


    The scarred man eyed Vincent skeptically. Vincent’s confident manner and distinct appearance suggested he was no ordinary man. The threat from the right was the most pressing. If it could be neutralized, dealing with the government forces would be simpler.


    “I’ll trust you this one time. But if you’re deceiving me, you’ll regret it deeply!”


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