Chapter 89

An eerie stillness gripped the luxurious hotel lobby.

With the gun pressed firmly against Evelina's forehead, Mara called out Jasper's name twice, her voice echoing-but he remained absent.

"Seems your precious Mr. Russell doesn't value you after all," Mara mocked bitterly. In a burst of fury, she fired a shot directly at Evelina's feet.

This wasn't an act. The gun was loaded, and she was fully prepared to pull the trígger.

The bullet shattered the polished marble, scattering fragments wildly. Hostages in the kitchen erupted in screams of terror, one even fainting from the shock.

Yet Evelina responded with a laugh, "I was nothing more than a passing distraction. What exactly did you think you'd achieve by threatening him with my life?"

She knew Jasper wasn't abandoning her; he was simply biding his time.

Her role now was simply to stall.

"So you're just someone insignificant in his eyes?" Mara sneered, clicking the hammer back. "Guess it's time toend this nonsense."

Evelina stood motionless, her eyes closing.

"No-don't shoot her!" Cary's voice trembled as he spoke up.

Mara turned the gun toward him, amused contempt clear in her eyes. "And who are you to her? Trying to be a hero now?"

"She's... she's my wife," Cary stammered, barely audible.

Mara's expression twisted mockingly. "Your family won't mind handing over half a billion then, right?" Cary faltered, clearly stunned by the number. "Couldn't we maybe negotiate something lower?"

"Funny." Mara laughed scornfully. "Didn't you just say she was your wife? Isn't she worth every penny?"

Cary's hesitation was plain, disgust evident in his tone. "We're divorcing."

Five hundred million? He wouldn't even offer half as much to rescue his first love,let alone Evelina.

That sort of cash could buy him several new wives without batting an eye.

Returning her venomous gaze to Evelina, Mara sneered, "Pathetic. Your ex-husband won't pay, your lover won't appear. Why even bother keeping you alive?"

Her words bit harshly,yet Evelina met them unflinchingly.

Instead,her eyes flicked discreetly to Aurora.

She noticed something odd-a hint of triumph flashed briefly across Aurora's features.

Most hostages facing death would tremble, terrified their captors might execute them regardless of ransom.

But Aurora? She actually dared to smirk.

As Mara's finger tightened on the trigger, Aurora's hidden satisfaction became clearer still.

Aurora clearly wanted Evelina out of the picture.

"Hold on!" lan's sharp voice cut through the tension.

Eyes unwavering,he faced Mara directly. "Five hundred million? My family will cover it."

"You?" Mara laughed hesitantly, examining him skeptically. "An assistant carrying around that much cash?"

Yet lan exuded an authority that he'd clearly absorbed from his years beside Jasper.

"Depends on who I assist. Mr. Russell doesn't just manage the Russell Group; he controls various international companies too. My family has significant shares in all of them."

In short, lan was far more than Jasper's mere assistant-he was his financial partner. Although not widely known in lreah, the Payne family's global investments were considerable. Even Kristina's illustrious family might not match up. lan's high-level connections added further weight to his words.

"Well, look at you. Didn't peg you for someone with that kind of cash," Mara sneered, thrown off just like everyone else in the lobby.

Especially Cary,whose disbelief bordered on comical. Jasper's assistant casually pledging half a billion?

Abruptly,Mara swung the gun, striking Evelina viciously with its butt.

Evelina turned swiftly, avoiding the worst, but stil felt the blow tear into her forehead, blood trickling down her face.

"You shameless bitch!" Mara shrieked furiously. "Seducing Jasper wasn't enough- you had to go after his assistant,too?"

lan's fists clenched impulsively, ready to retaliate, but Evelina's firm glance steadied him.

Mara was baiting them into losing control. Reacting impulsively now would ruin Jasper's carefully orchestrated plan.

Adopting Mara's earlier sneering tone, Evelina retorted sharply, "Feeling insecure, Mara? Jealous someone's willing to shell out half a billion for me? Sounds like you speak from experience. How many buyers have you entertained for cash?"

Evelina assessed Mara coolly, contempt lacing every word. "Even if you stripped, no one would pay to look at someone like you."

Her words sliced through Mara but were directed subtly toward Aurora.