Chapter 1782
She couldn't quite pin down why she was so utterly infatuated with Ian. The moment she first laid eyes on him, she felt an intense connection that seemed to tether her very soul to his.
A smile curled her lips just thinking about a future with him by her side, forever and always. She was boiling over with excitement, eager for all of this to come to an end.
She fastened her movements with increased urgency, determined to optimize every last data point to perfection.
At 2 p.m. sharp, Bernard stepped out of his car and approached the quaint cottage.
The guard at the door had long been replaced with one of his own men - a change that happened two years prior.
He entered the premises without incident, but as he was about to step into the cottage, hesitation gripped him for a moment.
The familiar facade tugged at his heartstrings, leaving a bittersweet taste in his mouth. Yet, in the blink of an eye, he composed himself.
Occasionally, helicopters would buzz overhead - no doubt the other side's attempt to survey the area.
But Bernard was fearless. The area was locked down tight. Unless they were willing to risk the hostages inside, they wouldn't dare make a bold move.
And after tonight, he'd be free to escape through the underground passage to the border, never to return.
His smile widened at the thought. Upon entering the room, he couldn't even bear to glance at the kitchen - Yvonne's once favorite haunt.
Ascending the stairs leisurely, he observed that the upper floor had been transformed into a laboratory.
It was his order to have it remodeled, yet he had never visited before. Now, for the first time, he was here.
Sarah glanced up at him, nodding slightly in acknowledgment.
"Mr. March, you've arrived."
Bernard wasn't alone. Lingery followed close behind him. And when Queena caught sight of Lingery's face, so strikingly similar to Ian's, her cheeks instantly flushed with heat.
Was this Ian's doppelganger? The resemblance was uncanny.
Lingery stood behind Bernard; he had excellent fighting skills, Bernard’s trusted bodyguard. Bernard took a seat in a corner of the room, his gaze fixed outside, quiet and poised.
The residents had sensed something was amiss, but they were too scared to venture out or contact anyone on the outside.
From 2 p.m. onwards, all communications had been jammed. Bernard's lips twisted into a smirk as he watched the trapped people, much like caged birds.
No matter how fierce the onslaught from outside, his external forces had been systematically dismantled. But it didn't matter - as long as he held this position, he'd prevail.
His phone was already turned off. At this critical juncture, he wouldn't allow any interruptions. He had shed so much blood, invested so much, all to bring his son and Yvonne back. He was resolute in his mission. Còntens bel0ngs to Nô(v)elDr/a/ma.Org
Loudspeakers outside began to blare, urging Bernard to surrender for leniency, to resist meant severity.
Bernard scoffed. He glanced around nonchalantly, focusing on the experiments within, "Follow the procedure to the letter. I expect no errors."
Sarah nodded, "Rest assured, everything is proceeding as planned."
Military vehicles had surrounded the area, and helicopters periodically circled overhead. The loudspeakers continued to blare, asking Bernard to avoid further mistakes.
After three hours of one-sided shouting, the area remained eerily silent. Just when everyone thought Bernard wouldn't respond, his voice cut through the tension.
"It would be in everyone's best interest to stay calm. This entire district is rigged with explosives underground. Unless you want to see your loved ones blown to bits."
The reason why those people from outside hesitated to take action was because they were aware Bernard got a backup plan. Yet they’d never expected he’d be frenzied enough to bury explosives in this area.
The loudspeakers had stayed silent for half an hour; a couple of higher-ups deliberated on their next move. Those with family inside were gripped by a sudden, paralyzing fear.