Chapter 18
Instantly, the entire facility went on high alert. The research team personnel scattered, while special forces soldiers in bulletproof vests and carrying shields rushed to the front.
“Mr. Thorne, whatever your purpose is, please put down your weapon and surrender immediately,” the facility commander said coldly. “You’re surrounded. There’s no escape.”
Hearing that, Callan laughed: “That’s not necessarily true. We’re indoors, so your snipers can’t get a clear shot.”
“And from where I’m standing, I can see all your men. If anyone makes a move to shoot me, I’ll immediately press the detonator and take you all with me.”
As he spoke, the facility commander’s expression instantly turned grim.
Callan was right–indoor sniping was impossible, and though the special forces had guns, they couldn’t risk taking action because Callan would see any movement.
So despite being armed, the special forces couldn’t act rashly. No one could guarantee they could kill Callan before he detonated the explosives.
“State your terms,” the facility commander finally said, negotiating with Callan. “I know you’re not a foreign spy. There’s no need to sacrifice yourself and drag us to hell with you.”
“Finally, someone reasonable,” Callan smiled. “You’re right. I couldn’t care less about what your facility is researching. I only want to take Lila with me.”
“As long as Lila leaves with me, I’ll remove these explosives. No one gets hurt.”
Immediately, all eyes turned to Lila.
Lila’s expression darkened. She looked at Callan with fury in her eyes, then said through gritted teeth: “Callan, you’re despicable–threatening the lives of everyone in the facility to force me.”
“Lila, I only do this because I love you too much,” Callan clutched his heart. “For me, if I can’t be with you, I’d rather
die!”
Lila’s expression grew even more strained. Callan’s tactic was underhanded but effective. Lila was fundamentally compassionate–she would never stand by and watch Callan detonate explosives that would kill everyone.
So she could only reluctantly agree to Callan’s demand: “Fine! Callan, I’ll go with you.”
As soon as she spoke, Callan’s gloomy face instantly lit up with excitement: “Lila, I knew you couldn’t bear to leave
me.”
“Don’t worry, I’ll devote myself entirely to you for the rest of our lives. I’ll never betray you again. You’re everything
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Chapter 18
to me–I’ll give you my all.”
After speaking, Callan called his men to arrange for a helicopter pickup.
Soon, the Thorne family helicopter arrived, hovering above since the facility had no landing pad. Callan’s men dropped a rope ladder, and Callan guided Lila up the ladder toward the helicopter.
Throughout the entire process, Callan’s hand firmly gripped Lila’s, refusing to let go for even a moment.
He seemed terrified that if he loosened his grip for just a second, Lila would vanish from his sight.
Lila cast Callan a cold glance, then asked with apparent casualness: “Callan, I’ve followed you onto the helicopter.
Aren’t you going to remove those explosives now?”
Hearing this, Callan smiled: “Did I scare you, Lila? Don’t worry, I’ll take them off right now.”
“Don’t be afraid. I’d never hurt you. I just can’t stand the thought of you leaving me. As long as you stay obediently
by my side, I won’t go crazy or do anything extreme.”
As he spoke, Callan began removing the explosives strapped to his body.
He couldn’t manage with one hand, so he released Lila’s hand.
Seizing the moment while Callan was distracted with the explosives, Lila yanked open the helicopter door.
“Callan, I’d rather die than go back to you!” Lila threw these words at him with a cold smile, then without hesitation jumped from the helicopter!
