?Chapter 1044:


    Scarface stepped forward, his voice cold as steel. “Enough talk. Give up quietly, and maybe I’ll let you live. Fight back, and I’ll make sure Wesley receives your head as a gift.”


    Guests filled the banquet hall, and Gerald mingled among the Harper family. Elena refused to let danger approach them, acting on instinct as she fired a shot at Scarface.


    A sharp crack split the air, and in an instant, panic erupted across the banquet hall.


    Moving without hesitation, Elena vaulted through an open window, her escape forcing Scarface to follow her into the night.


    Chasing after her was a simple task for Scarface. His reputation as a mercenary was well earned, and he dodged her bullet with ease, never losing pace.


    Night swallowed them both as Elena sprinted down back alleys, asionally sending shots behind her in hopes of slowing him down.


    At a bend in the shadows, she ducked into a narrow alleyway, heart pounding, and strained her ears to catch the sound of her pursuer’s footsteps fading into the darkness.


    Carefully, Elena peered around the corner, searching the stillness for any sign of movement. Not a whisper disturbed the silence—Scarface was nowhere in sight. Apprehension settled in her eyes. Scarface’s skills far outmatched her own, and a head-on fight would end badly. She decided her only chance was to hold out until Nightshade could reach her.


    A n in mind, Elena quickly pulled out her phone and sent a message to Nightshade: “Scarface is here. Where are you?” She followed up with her location.


    Elsewhere, Wesley had just received the ring when his phone vibrated twice, alerting him with the unique tone reserved for Elena. A sense of dread crossed his face as he read the message.


    Sitting nearby, Arion nced over. “Wesley, what’s wrong?”


    Not wasting a second, Wesley threw open the car door and slid inside. “We’re heading to the banquet. Now.”


    Something about Wesley’s urgency made Arion snap to attention. He released the handbrake and gunned the engine, weaving through traffic at top speed. While the city blurred by, Arion risked another nce. “Is there trouble?”


    Wesley’s jaw tightened as he gripped his phone. “Scarface has found her.”


    Your next story starts here g?lnσν???s?c?m


    A serious look settled over Arion’s face. Wesley didn’t have to say her name for him to…


    Arion understood that he was speaking about Elena. There was only one person who could make Wesley react this way, and that was Elena.


    No words were needed. Arion floored the elerator, sending the car rocketing down the street.


    Sliding her phone back into her pocket, Elena froze as the sound of a sinisterugh curled through the shadows behind her.


    “There you are.” Scarface’s low, chilling voice slithered out of the darkness. Wheeling around, Elena met eyes that glinted with venomous intent. The barrel of his gun was trained squarely at her chest.


    Three deafening shots cracked through the alley.


    Elsewhere, Wesley’s pulse quickened at the sound. He flipped open a hiddenpartment in the car, assembled his firearm with lightning speed, and shouted, “Pull over now!”


    Before Arion could fully stop the vehicle, Wesley had alreadyunched himself onto the pavement.


    By the time Arion retrieved his weapon and hurried after Wesley, not even a trace of him remained.


    .


    .


    .