Shadows Of A Forgotten Spring

Chapter 132

She had always been proud of the way she fought life with a strong will. She had faced mountains others dared not approach, weathered storms capable of snapping the strongest of wills. But now, here she was: helpless.

Derek's eyes bored into hers, cold, like that of a predator staring down at its prey. His eyes seemed devoid of emotion

A sadistic smirk showed on his lips, as if laughing at her attempts to resist against him.

Emma's lips trembled as she tried to speak. Her chest tightened, her breathing shallow and uneven.

er eyes danced across the room, her gaze falling on the terrified faces of the people surrounding her, her employees. Seminar attendees, innocent people who had no idea their lives would be on the line today. They had come here in search of knowledge, growth, and opportunities. Now, they were trapped in a death sentence all because of her.

Guilt weighed upon her like a boulder. She closed her fists so tightly that her nails dug into her palms.

Her mind was racing, frantically searching for a way out. But each passing second was like the ticking of a bomb.

"You don't have to do this, Derek," Emma said, her voice trembling. She straightened herself, meeting his eyes with as much courage as she could muster. "Let's talk things out. Let's go into my office. We can find another way."

Derek let out a dark chuckle, his eyes narrowing in contempt. "Talk things out? Really, Emma?" He stepped closer, towering over. "You think you can manipulate me, just like you manipulated Marina? You think your words can undo the damage you've done?" Emma's heart sank, but she refused to back down. "This has nothing to do with Marina," she said more quietly. "This is about you, Derek. You're better than this. You don't have to hurt anyone."

"Better then this?" Derek cut in, his voice full of anger. "You don't know a damn thing about me." He leaned closer, his voice rising to a venomous thunder. "This building you're so proud of, that represents your success, will crumble to nothing in less than ten minutes. And you're going down with it, with all these fools."

Gasp swept through the room, followed by screams. The gravity of the situation hit them like a tsunami. People were shaking on their knees, wailing with tears streaming down their faces. The sound of desperation filled the air.

People were trembling, their muffled cries filled the air. She swallowed hard, willing herself not to break, and tried to reach Derek again. Her voice

"None of these people deserve to die. Let them go. This doesn't have to

with anger, and his voice cut through the air like a blade. "You think that these people don't deserve this?" he snarled, his voice dripping with venom. "Everybody that ever

hatred in his voice, her eyes widening as he took a step closer. "I wish your mother were here," Derek spat, his smirk returning, dark and menacing. "And your precious twins, too. I would've loved to see their face. I want the entire Walker family wiped out, Emma! But since

fell silent as

the door;

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12:43 PM, 3 Jan

Chapter 132

him, but the man wasn't

raised the gun and shot.

room yet

40 39%0

covering her mouth in horror. The reality of Derek's ruthlessness hit her like a

didn't have to do that," she

had ignored her, his cold eyes locking on hers as he closed the

pressing the cold barrel of the gun

speakers. "Please

breath caught, her eyes welling up with tears. She didn't even bother struggling against him. The thinking of the gun pressed into the back of her head made her stomach curl with fear. "You're coming with me," Derek growled. "Before we all die, I need to take you

of fear were drowned out by the sound of hurried footsteps in the building. Her security team had arrived, mobilized at the seminar hall doors, ready to take action. When Derek dragged her toward

guns," Derek barked. "Unless you want