Chapter 295

Rachel's POV

I watched as Lucas hesitated, his confident stride faltering for just a moment. The warehouse's dim lighting cast deep shadows across his features, but couldn't hide the flicker of doubt in his eyes.

"Lucas Harrington, your son is only seven years old. Can you really bear to let him die at my hands?" I desperately tried to irritate him, tightening my grip on the gun.

The words hung heavy in the stale air between us. My heart raced with perverse excitement as I saw his footsteps pause. This momentary hesitation confirmed my suspicions-perhaps the mighty Lucas Harrington would actually abandon his own son.

Deep inside, I had already begun to believe he might truly forsake Milo. I understood Lucas's resolute nature all too well, just as I recognized his obsession with Serena Sinclair. His hesitation now validated everything I had suspected.

To be honest, I never truly comprehended the importance of family bonds. To me, relatives were merely strangers living under the same roof, individuals temporarily united by mutual benefit. My parents, grandfather, brother... what did they really mean to me? When crisis strikes, everyone only thinks about saving themselves.

Just like now-evidence pointed directly to my brother and me, so we were left holding the bag while my grandfather and parents schemed to escape unscathed. That's the reality of family.

So I genuinely believed that when pushed to the limit, Lucas would abandon Milo. Just as he himself had said, he could have many more children with Serena. Eventually, they would forget Milo ever existed.

Yet here I was, gaining nothing from this revenge, instead sacrificing myself in the process.

Lucas turned to face me, and I glared back fiercely.

"Compromising, are we?" I couldn't help but mock him.

Lucas didn't respond to my sarcasm. He simply walked back toward me, one deliberate step at a time.

"Release Milo," he said tersely.

"Fine," I nodded in agreement, but I wasn't about to relinquish my leverage so easily. "You come here first."

"Do you really think I would trust you?" Lucas countered.

My expression darkened, but I understood I needed to show some good faith to lure him completely into my trap. I turned to the bodyguard beside me and commanded, "Untie Milo."

"Yes, ma'am," the bodyguard immediately crouched down and began loosening Milo's restraints.

"Daddy!" Milo called out to his father the moment he was freed, his voice filled with fear and hope.

Lucas merely acknowledged him with a simple sound, showing little emotional reaction.

He turned to me and said, "Let Milo come to me, and I'll exchange places with him."

Hearing this, I couldn't help but smile-a sinister smile. My revenge plan wasn't complete; this was just the beginning.

"Don't be so hasty," I deliberately stalled.

I watched Lucas's expression darken, exactly the effect I wanted.

A new thought flashed through my mind, filling me with anticipation: "I suddenly wonder how Serena Sinclair would choose?"

This would be the most exquisite part. If I could drag Serena into this game too, force her to choose between Lucas and Milo-that would be true revenge. I wanted to see them struggle in agony, forced to face impossible choices. Only then would I feel a measure of comfort, only then could I soothe my heart wounded by Lucas's rejection.

"Rachel!" Lucas's voice turned to ice.

"What's wrong? Does mentioning Serena make you nervous?" I taunted, feeling cruel satisfaction as his face tensed. The hatred in my eyes must have been unmistakable. "I just realized-this whole mess started because of Serena. It wouldn't be fair to let her off so easily. She should witness your death."

"Rachel, don't push me..." Lucas growled through clenched teeth, his voice dangerous.

Then, footsteps echoed behind us.

Lucas whipped his head around sharply, his entire body going rigid as Serena Sinclair walked into the warehouse.

My heart raced with dark excitement. This was perfect-even better than I'd planned. She'd come on her own, saving me the trouble of forcing her here.

Serena's POV

I had barely stepped into the warehouse when Lucas's voice cut through the air like steel.

"Serena, get out!" he commanded, his tone filled with unprecedented urgency and anger.

I froze, knowing my appearance had disrupted whatever plan he had carefully constructed.

Rachel Thorne immediately seized her advantage, her voice dripping with malice as she threatened: "If you leave, Milo dies immediately!"

"Serena!" Lucas called my name again, his voice heavy with warning.

I looked at Lucas's face, flushed with intense emotion, then at little Milo. The child tried to speak but bit his lip hard, forcing himself to remain silent. His brave expression made my heart shatter into a thousand pieces.

I swallowed back the tears threatening to spill and said to Lucas, "I can't leave. Not now." I couldn't abandon them.

I watched as Lucas's restraint caused veins to bulge at his temple. "Who told you to come in here?!" he demanded.

"I did!" Rachel answered triumphantly. "When you turned away earlier, I messaged her. I told her if she didn't come, both you and Milo would die. It seems she does care about you two, at least a little."

The truth was, I'd been waiting outside the entire time. I knew I shouldn't be here-I should have trusted Lucas completely, trusted that he could rescue Milo on his own. But I wasn't as composed or cool-headed as I wanted to be. When it came to the two people I cared about most, I couldn't just stand by and do nothing. So I had entered, falling right into Rachel's malicious trap.

Standing here now, I could clearly see the concern in Lucas's eyes, the fear in Milo's, and the smug satisfaction in Rachel's. If my presence could somehow save them, I was willing to pay that price.

I walked step by step until I stood before Lucas, whispering, "I'm sorry."

Lucas's Adam's apple bobbed wildly as he struggled to control his emotions. I knew he wasn't angry that I had interrupted his strategy but terrified about what choice I might make. He knew me so well-he must have guessed why Rachel had lured me here.

"Perfect, now everyone's present," Rachel said with a smile. "We can finally settle our debts once and for all." Her smile held such malice that a chill ran down my spine.

I forced myself to remain calm, looking directly at Rachel. "Our conflict has nothing to do with Milo. Let him go first." I had to ensure the child's safety above all else.

"I can release him, but I'll need someone in exchange," Rachel suddenly appeared nonchalant, but I knew this was just the beginning of her next scheme.

"Take me," Lucas said without hesitation.

Rachel smiled enigmatically and asked, "What if I choose Serena instead?"