Chapter 288
As soon as Bennett finished speaking, Brandon vanished in a blur–appearing right in front of him. In the blink of an eye, Brandon’s hand was wrapped around Bennett’s throat.
Gone was the composed, confident man from before. His expression was vicious, rage burning in his emerald eyes. “You really think you can pull tricks on me and live to talk about it?” he snarled.
Bennett choked under the pressure but still managed a defiant smirk. “Like doing everything you say would’ve kept me alive anyway. Brandon, your arrogance will be your downfall.”
Brandon laughed coldly, tightening his grip. “You could’ve lived a little longer, but since you had to open your mouth-
He was ready to crush Bennett’s windpipe when Noelle lunged forward, bloodied knife in hand. She pressed it firmly to Brandon’s neck. voice sharp and unwavering. “Brandon. Let him go.”
Brandon turned his head, her reflection caught in his eyes, momentarily dulled by a mix of emotions.
He hadn’t expected to be cornered like this. Killing Noelle was supposed to be simple now–he had her memories. He could recreate her a thousand times if needed. But thanks to Bennett’s interference, that certainty was gone.
If he made a wrong move now… he might lose Noelle forever.
“You really think that little knife matters?” Brandon asked quietly.
Blood was still dripping from Noelle’s wounded palm, the same hand she had stabbed earlier to break the lab’s control over her. “You’re bleeding. Brandon said, reaching g out to grab her hand. “You need to stop the bleeding-
But Noelle quickly pulled away. “Don’t touch me,” she warned. Let Bennett go. Now
For the first time, Brandon looked almost… defeated. His voice softened. “You really know how to use my weaknesses against me, huh? One little knife and you’ve got me cornered?”
Then, with a swift motion, Brandon closed the distance between them, snatched the knife from her grasp, and grabbed her wrist before she could escape. A slight pull, and she was back in his arms.
Noelle’s face went pale. She tried to struggle, but Brandon shot her a cold glare. “Try anything, and I’ll kill everyone here. You know you can’t stop me.
He was right. She couldn’t.
So Noelle went still, glaring at him with all the fury and helplessness she had, Brandon, unfazed, tore a strip from his own shirt and gently began wrapping her injured hand. His movements were slow and careful, almost tender, as if he couldn’t bear to see her hurt. It was surreal–seconds ago, he’d nearly killed her. Now he was tending to her wounds like a doting lover.
Everyone held their breath, watching Brandon in silence, unsure what he’d do next. For now, all their lives hung in his hands.
After finishing the bandage, Brandon suddenly turned to Bennett and asked. “You weren’t lying, were you? That memory chip is really incomplete?”
Bennett snorted. If you think I’m bluffing, go ahead. Kill us all. But don’t come crying when the ‘new‘ Noelle wakes up and doesn’t even know your name.”
Brandon didn’t speak.
After a pause, he turned to Noelle with a smile that didn’t reach his eyes. Tell me, Noelle. If I kill everyone here, would you fight me?”
“Yes,” she said without hesitation.” “And if I can’t kill you, I’ll kill myself.”
Her voice was firm. Steady. Final.
Brandon let out a breath of laughter. “Fine, I admit it–I underestimated Bennett. Guess you’re more useful than I thought.”
He tossed a glance at Bennett, then sighed dramatically. “I’ll let everyone live. But–there’s a condition.”
Noelle’s eyes narrowed. “What condition?”
1/2
Chapter 288
Noelle free.
Brandon chuckled. “What, did you think I’d just walk away empty–handed after all this? That I’m some kind of saint?”
He wasn’t. Noelle knew that better than anyone. From the very start, Brandon had always been dangerous–brilliant, powerful, and terrifying She’d just been too naive to realize how far he’d go
“It’s an easy choice, Noelle, Brandon said with a smile. “Stay, and they all die. Come with me, and they live. What’s it going to be?”
Noelle’s lips parted. She was just about to answer when
“Noelle”
Nicolas’s voice broke through
him. He was staring at her, eyes locked on hers. He didn’t need to say it. She already knew what he meant.
He couldn’t stop her from going. Not right now. Not without getting everyone else killed.
And even if he was selling to die for her, what about the others? The Andersons. The staff. The innocents.
So Nicolas forced a smile, pushing every ounce of heartbreak deep down, and said, “Don’t worry. I’ll come for you.”
Noelle’s eyes filled with tears, but she nodded and smiled back. “Till be waiting”
Brandon scoffed. “How touching” he muntered, and wrapped an arm around Noelle, forcing her to turn away.
Her gaze swej over everyone one last time–Damon lying unconscious, background… and finally, lack to Nicolas,
Take care of Damon, she whispered. “And Nicolas… Il be waiting for you.”
on edge, Stanley trying to blend into the
With that, she let Brandon lead her into the night, disappearing into the darkness.
Once they were gone, Benisett finally let out the breath he’d been holding and rushed to Nicolas’s side.
He checked Damon’s injury–bad, but the knife had missed the heart. “We were lucky,” he said. “Where’s the ambulance? Call them
As Damon was taken away. Nicolas turned to Bennett. That memory chip… was it really incomplete?*
Bennett raised an eyebrow. “Of course. What, you think I’d risk all our lives on a bluff?”
Nicolas fell silem, both reassured and deeply uneasy. Brandon was far more dangerous than he’d anticipated.
he’d
Looking at Stanley, who’d stayed uncharacteristically quiet, Nicolas asked, “Can you kick a tree in half?”
Stanley blinked, “What?”
Nicolas pointed toward the massive tree Brandon had split with one kick. “He did that. One foot”
Stanley stared. The tree trunk was as thick as a grown man’s torso. Its base was a mess of jagged splinters.
“Holy shit,” he whispered. “Brandon’s that kind of psycho?”
Nicolas nodded slowly.
Well
Only
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