Chapter 199: Now That You’re Back, It’s No Longer That Place
From afar, the nine members of Peak Club hidden in the forest exchanged glances as they watched the scene unfold.C0pyright © 2024 Nôv)(elDrama.Org.
Gangnam Hall on one side, the President on another, Enrico on yet another, and a group of masked men as well. Everyone had guns, except for them.
It felt more like they were here to gather information rather than rescue Paige.
“Who are you?” Jaden asked, puzzled.
The man leading the masked group held a black submachine gun. His voice was cold as he replied, “I have no interest in the feud between the President and Enrico, but I must take Paige with me.”
Kevin.
Paige recognized his voice and couldn’t help but frown. Why was he here?
She glanced up at Enrico. He was barely able to stand, but upon hearing this, he slowly turned, his gaze icy as he looked at the man.
The atmosphere grew eerily quiet.
Rafael, seeing the tense standoff, felt utterly exhausted. He raised his head and shouted through gritted teeth, “Everyone wants a fight, huh? No one wants peace anymore, right? Then fight!”
As soon as the words left his mouth, gunfire erupted.
The noise was deafening, louder than a New Year’s celebration.
Kevin’s group immediately engaged with Gangnam Hall’s men. Jaden, left with no choice, ordered his men to draw their guns and form a human shield around Enrico and Paige.
Birds scattered from the trees in a frenzy.
Mila, terrified, hid behind the boys. Nick, watching the intense scene, couldn’t help but remark, “Our law that allows anyone with a permit to buy guns is truly not a good law.”
“Seriously?” Carrie shot him a disbelieving look. How could he think about that at a time like this?
Amidst the gunfire, Paige felt the man holding her stagger backward. She looked up, meeting Enrico’s bloodshot eyes, and felt a pang in her chest. “Put me down first.”
“Who?”
Enrico was using all his strength to hold her. His breath was unsteady as he glanced down at her.
Paige knew what he was asking. Feeling guilty, she responded, “Kevin.”
As expected, Enrico’s expression darkened immediately upon hearing the name. His eyes grew cold as he glared at the group of masked men. They had actually followed her from the border all the way to the capital. Truly, a lot of effort.
“Tell him to get lost.”
Enrico frowned. Did Kevin think he couldn’t rescue his own woman?
Seeing the jealousy in his eyes, Paige noticed his lips growing even bloodier and his brow furrowing more deeply. She could only say, “Then let me down first.”
Enrico refused to release her and held her even tighter.
Paige looked at him with a firm gaze. Enrico pursed his thin lips before finally setting her down.
“Stand still.”
Paige glanced at him, bit her lip, and then turned to walk towards the prison van nearby. Her legs felt weak.
She didn’t want Enrico to notice, so she forced herself to walk as normally as possible. Upon reaching the van, Paige used all her strength to pull open the door and retrieve a loudspeaker from inside. She gripped it and shouted, “Stop!”
The woman’s voice suddenly cut through the gunfire, hoarse but unmistakable.
Kevin immediately raised his hand, signaling his men to stop. Jaden followed suit.
The Gangnam Hall guards, familiar with Paige’s voice after three days of interaction, instinctively ceased firing at her command.
The scene suddenly froze.
Only the low groans of the wounded could be heard.
Rafael stood there, staring at the sudden cessation of the battle, feeling his temples throbbing. What was this? Was Paige now commanding gunfights?
“Withdraw,” Paige ordered into the loudspeaker.
At her words, Kevin, leading the group, turned to look in her direction. His eyes, shadowed by his cap, deepened with thought. After a moment, he calmly gave the order, “Withdraw.”
The masked men began retreating under everyone’s watchful eyes.
Kevin took a few steps back until he was beside Enrico. He paused, lifting his gaze to the battered yet unyielding man before him.
Some people, no matter how broken, still command a presence that cannot be ignored.
Enrico’s eyes were cold and piercing as he stared at him, his bloodstained lips drawn into a disdainful line.
“The person Enrico cannot take care of might as well be taken by me,” Kevin said, lifting his hand to adjust his cap as he spoke in a low voice.
Standing firm, Enrico smirked disdainfully. “Out of respect for Paige, leave now, and everything will be fine. Otherwise, I’ll have someone carry your coffin back to the border.”
Kevin, the ruler of the borderlands, was one of the few who could speak to him this way.
“Perhaps Mr. Gustin can talk to me whenever he wants,” Kevin said each word carefully. He then stepped back, bowing slightly towards Paige before leading his men away.
Rafael looked at the men who had just left and snapped at his subordinates, “What are you all standing around for? Go after them!”
“Rafael,” Paige’s voice cut through the air before anyone could move. Each word was hoarse yet clear and precise, reaching everyone’s ears. “Let’s take a step back. Let’s enter Gangnam Hall and discuss a resolution. What do you think?”
She implied that there was no need to head to the execution ground, nor would she leave with Enrico. She was willing to stay and negotiate.
Indeed, continuing the standoff here would benefit no one.
Rafael turned his gaze to Enrico, his face dark with frustration. “Fine, let’s go into Gangnam Hall.”
Paige, having secured the answer she wanted, slowly walked over to Enrico. The handcuffs on her wrists circled his arm as she embraced him, her bloodshot eyes looking into his. “Let’s go inside.”
“There’s nothing to talk about,” Enrico grumbled, now thoroughly displeased with Rafael.
“We’ve wasted too much time here. If we go out now, we might be targeted. It’s better to enter Gangnam Hall,” Paige said, tightening her grip on his arm.
Besides, he was severely injured. He needed medical attention before dealing with more problems.
“I don’t want you going back to that horrible place,” Enrico said coldly, glaring at the towering structure hidden deep within the woods.
“Now that you’re back, it’s no longer horrible,” Paige smiled faintly.
Enrico thought he misheard, abruptly lowering his gaze to stare at her, his eyes as red as blood.
What did she mean by that? What did she mean by saying that now that he’s back, it’s no longer horrible?
“Let’s go,” Paige urged, feeling embarrassed under his intense gaze. She wasn’t someone who could say sweet words easily. Unable to meet his eyes, she lowered her head and held onto his arm, leading him forward.
Jaden immediately moved to follow, but she turned to him.
Jaden lowered his head, guilt-ridden, bowing as if his neck might break.
“Return to the estate,” Paige said seriously, looking at him. “No matter what, do not let Jeremy leave the estate or contact anyone he shouldn’t.”
Hearing this, Jaden quickly looked up.
Indeed, the person who was supposed to be executed hadn’t appeared at the execution ground. Jeremy would likely guess the truth. If Jeremy managed to leave the estate, there could be big trouble.