Chapter 216
The livestreamed hostage crisis sent shockwaves rippling through the city.
The moment Alexander Kingsley and Julian Whitmore were alerted, they rushed to the chaotic scene. Alexander stood just beyond the police barricade, his stormy gaze fixed on the building ahead.
“What’s the situation inside?” he demanded.
Sebastian Harrington, tension lining his features, answered swiftly. “The perimeter is secure, but Darren Whitlock is highly unstable. Snipers are in position but holding fire—any sudden move could endanger the hostages.”
Moments later, Ethan Blackwood shoved through the panicked crowd, desperation etched across his face as he turned to the officers. “I don’t care what it costs—money, resources, anything. Just get them out!” he pleaded.
The lead officer’s expression remained grim. “This isn’t about ransom. The kidnapper hasn’t demanded anything. Right now, we need family members to stay calm. Our negotiator is en route.”
Incidents like this hadn’t struck Ontdale in years, and worse, Darren was broadcasting it live, drawing murmurs from the gathered crowd.
“Is this guy insane? Livestreaming a crime?”
“Rumor is Sophia Kensington hired him to frame Isabella Sinclair, but things spiraled.”
“Sounds personal. Involves both the Kingsley and Blackwood empires… This is out of control.”
The crowd reluctantly shuffled back as police cleared the area, but the whispers buzzed like agitated hornets. The spectacle had already seized the city’s attention.
“Everyone, move back!” an officer barked, securing the perimeter.
When the negotiator arrived, Darren only grew more volatile. “Enough talk! Bring Alexander and Ethan here now, or I drop these two into the boiling oil!” he roared, waving a knife at the ropes suspending Isabella and Sophia midair.
One slice, and they’d plunge to their deaths.
The crowd gasped, horror freezing the scene into silence.
“Get them here, NOW!” Darren’s voice cracked as he jerked the knife threateningly.
The negotiator exchanged a tense glance with the officers. Sending in civilians—unarmed, untrained—could escalate things.
Before he could respond, Alexander cut in, voice steady. “Keep him talking. If he wants me, I’ll go. Otherwise, he’ll only get worse.”
Ethan, jaw clenched, nodded. “I’m going too.”
With careful steps, they entered the building. Alexander’s gaze locked onto Isabella. Relief flickered when he saw she was unharmed, but his expression remained calculating.
Sophia, however, burst into hysterical sobs the moment she spotted Ethan. “Ethan, save me!” she wailed, trembling violently over the bubbling oil. “He’s insane—he’ll kill us both!”
Her frantic twisting only made the ropes sway precariously. Regret flashed across her tear-streaked face—she never should’ve provoked Darren. Even now, she shot Isabella a venomous glare.
This is all her fault.
“Shut up,” Isabella snapped coldly, eyes darting between Darren and their surroundings. Sophia was useless—just noise. The real threat was Darren, whose grip on sanity was slipping. If he snapped completely, there’d be no stopping him.
The livestream had already made them the city’s spectacle. Snipers were surely positioned across the street. Isabella caught the faint glint of a scope. They needed Darren to expose himself for a clean shot.
She locked eyes with Alexander and mouthed, Stall him.
He gave an imperceptible nod.
“We’re here,” Alexander said calmly. “If you went through all this trouble, you clearly have something to say. You want to vent? Then talk.”
Ethan scoffed. “Name your price. We’ll pay. Just let them go—you can disappear with the money. Better than dying a criminal.”
Alexander shot him a sharp look. Idiot. Provoking Darren now was reckless.
As predicted, Darren’s face twisted with fury. “Money? That’s all you rich bastards think about, isn’t it?” he spat, gripping the knife tighter. “You think you can buy lives too?”
His voice cracked with humiliation. The blade trembled in his hand—dangerously close to the ropes.
