Chapter 186 Gunfire
“Let them go, or you can forget about getting what you want.” Shaun’s voice carried a quiet, unshakable authority.
“Alright.”
The moment the word left the thug leader’s mouth, the hostages exhaled in relief. Fear no longer dominated their eyes–hope flickered in its place. Their gazes turned to Shaun, filled with gratitude, as if he were the light cutting through their darkest moment, their only chance at survival.
Renee, however, remained composed, carefully observing. Rather than acting on impulse, she studied Shaun’s every move, searching for an opening. Her eyes landed on William, who gave her the smallest of gestures–hold back.
Meanwhile, the remaining guests were ushered out, forced back to their rooms. Now, only a dozen armed men stood in the grand banquet hall, all their weapons trained on Shaun.
“Hand it over, Shaun.”
Shaun met the demand with a slow, knowing smile. His voice remained unhurried as he replied, “If I had it with me, do you really think I’d be standing here, negotiating with you?”
His calm demeanor only fanned the thug’s anger.
Shaun pressed on, his tone smooth. “It’s already en route. Once you receive it, release everyone on this cruise.”
“He’s just buying time. We should just put a bullet in him and see if he’s still got that smug attitude!”
The thug aiming at Shaun’s head earlier had lost all patience. His finger
tightened on the trigger- Then, in a flash, his gun was wrenched from his grip.
Before he could react, cold steel pressed against his own forehead.
“Don’t move,” Shaun ordered.
Shaun’s grip on the weapon was steady, his expression unreadable.
“You clearly don’t know me,” he said, voice almost casual. “There’s nothing I despise more than being threatened.” As Shaun held the gun with unwavering steadiness, his composure unshaken.
The thug he now held at gunpoint turned ashen, sweat beading along his temple. He had made a grave mistake–he had underestimated Shaun.
Even Renee was caught off guard.
The maneuver Shaun had just executed seemed effortless, but she recognized the level of precision it required. His reflexes, his control–it was on par with her own.
“Now, tell me, whose bullets do you think are faster–yours or mine?” he said, his voice laced with quiet confidence.
In the midst of the standoff, a sudden shout shattered the tense silence. “Hey, you! Stop right there!”
The outburst jolted everyone, even Renee, whose heart skipped a beat.
Her eyes darted toward the entrance, where a thug was dragging someone into the hall.
Marvin?
How in the world had he ended up here?
The calm and composed demeanor Shaun had maintained cracked slightly at the sight of Marvin.
“Uncle Shaun…” Marvin’s voice trembled, fear evident in his wide eyes. Yet,
he forced out the brave words. “Don’t worry about me. I… I’m not afraid to die.”
Renee was utterly speechless.
“He’s Shaun’s nephew!” The thugs practically cheered at the revelation.
Marvin’s capture was a game–changer. Shaun might have had no fear for his own life, but would he stay indifferent when his nephew’s life was on the line?
“Bring him here. Let’s take a finger.”
The thug, despite having Shaun’s gun aimed at his head, was practically giddy with excitement. He no longer feared the possibility of Shaun pulling the trigger.
“Don’t you dare!” Shaun’s voice cut through the air, sharp and absolute.
Bang!
A gunshot rang out.
“Get down!” Shaun’s voice boomed.
Marvin instinctively dropped to the floor just as a barrage of deafening gunfire erupted around him. Screams. The sickening sound of bullets tearing through flesh.
His hands flew to his ears as he lay motionless, too terrified to move.
