Chapter 229

"Colt, please, let Harper go. I'll do anything," Christina's voice shook as she pleaded with the madman in front of her.

Harper's cries grew louder, "Mom, I'm scared! I don't want to die!"

Colt showed no sympathy for the child's cries. Instead, he pointed the knife closer to Harper. "Shut up."

Just then, William returned, sneaking up from behind, slightly out of breath, and nervously eyeing the deranged Colt.

Christina noticed William's arrival, a flicker of complex emotions crossed her face, but her concern for her daughter quickly took over. She anxiously signaled to William with her eyes, urging him not to act rashly.

William nodded, understanding Christina's message. He wouldn't make things worse. He slowly approached, trying not to draw Colt's attention.

Meanwhile, the police were also looking for an opportunity. They had already called in the SWAT team for backup, but time was running out. They couldn't wait and had to act immediately.

Though the people surrounding Colt weren't police officers, they had no choice but to try reasoning with him, speaking softly to divert his attention.

"The money, the escape route, and the vehicle are all ready. They're on their way now. Just let the girl go safely, and we'll let you leave too."

"Hurry up, time's running out," Colt said, waving the knife menacingly.

At that moment, the sound of a car approaching caught Colt's attention.

This was the chance!

As Colt turned his head towards the car, William lunged at him. His movements were swift and precise, and before Colt could react, William had disarmed him.

Colt was instantly enraged and confused, not expecting the sudden attack. He fought back furiously.

The scene turned chaotic as William and Colt wrestled on the ground. Colt swung his fists wildly, trying to hit William. Despite William's skills, Colt's frenzied attacks were hard to fend off.

The knife fell to the ground during the struggle. Colt quickly grabbed it and stabbed William repeatedly.

William grunted in pain, grabbing Colt's wrist to prevent him from hurting anyone else.

Christina rushed forward, scooping Harper into her arms and covering her eyes. She watched William anxiously. "Be careful!"

The police, standing twenty meters away, finally reacted and rushed forward.

As Colt raised the knife again, a police officer delivered a flying kick to Colt's wrist, causing the knife to drop.

The police quickly pinned Colt to the ground and handcuffed him.

"You don't even spare kids, you bastard."

"He's hurt badly, losing a lot of blood," another officer said after a quick check, immediately calling for an ambulance.

William, pale from blood loss, sat up and waved weakly. "I'm fine."

"Regardless, you need to go to the hospital," the officer insisted, tying a tourniquet around William's arm to stop the bleeding.

Christina was stunned by William's selflessness. The moment left a deep impression on her.

The ambulance arrived quickly. As William was helped into the vehicle, he looked back at Harper. "Take Harper to the hospital too. Her neck seems injured."

Christina hadn't noticed this. She quickly checked Harper. "Are you okay, sweetie?"

"I'm okay, just my neck hurts a bit," Harper said tearfully. "I want to go to the hospital."

Fortunately, Colt hadn't inflicted serious harm. Harper had only a shallow cut on her neck. Christina held her tightly as they got into the ambulance and headed to the nearest hospital.

Harper's wound was minor and easily treated.

William, however, had more severe injuries. The wound on his arm was deep, and the saline solution stung as it was applied, nearly causing him to pass out from the pain.

Christina gritted her teeth. "Why did you..."

"Save Harper?" William asked through clenched teeth.

Christina didn't respond.

William smiled weakly. "She's a child. It's everyone's duty to protect children. Don't feel too burdened."

Christina felt a mix of emotions.

William had hurt her and Harper in the past, but recently, he had repeatedly helped and saved them.

Was he really ready to be a father?

"I'm fine. Go be with Harper," William said, seeing her standing at the door, trying not to show his pain.

Christina took a deep breath. "Harper's fine."

"That's rare," William said, sweating from the pain. "Since you came back, we haven't really talked."

"What do you want to talk about?" Christina asked, turning to him.

William had so much to say after all these years, but now, he didn't know where to start.

The room was eerily quiet.

Harper's arrival broke the awkward silence.

"Dad Cavendish, you saved me again."

Her eyes were red from crying, but they were filled with admiration.

She threw herself into William's arms.

William winced in pain. "Harper..."

Christina quickly pulled Harper away. "Be careful, he's hurt."

Harper cried harder. "Is Dad Cavendish badly hurt? Should we take him home to care for him? You always said we should repay kindness."

For a moment, William felt that getting closer to Harper was a wise decision.

With Harper as a mediator, his relationship with Christina could improve significantly.

Christina sighed. "Repaying kindness is important, but men and women are different. I can't take him home, but I'll cover his medical and recovery expenses."

Harper blinked. "Okay."

Christina looked at William. "If you need anything while you're recovering, just let me know."

William suddenly felt that his injuries were worth it.

"Okay."