Shadows Of A Forgotten Spring

Chapter 133

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Kevin rushed into Alexander's office without knocking, looking pale and wide-eyed in panic. His disheveled appearances were enough to make Alexander pause mid-sentence on the call. "Sir, we have a problem!" Kevin shouted, holding a tablet with trembling hands. Alexander pinched the bridge of his nose. His frustration getting out of control. Today had been one disaster after another, and he didn't think he could handle one more shred of bad news. "Don't tell me he stole more than half a billion this time" Alexander snapped, his Kevin shook his head, his tone trembling. "It's not about money, sir. It's about Mrs. Black."

voice shrill.

me seemed to freeze. Alexander's heart jumped out of his chest and he snatched the tablet from Kevin's hands. His fingers, which were always so composee, fumbled as he scanned the headline written across the screen. 'BREAKING NEWS: Mrs. Emma Black, CEO of W2 HOLDINGS, and several employees are being held hostage inside her company building. Bombs have reportedly been planted to detonate in less than ten minutes. Alexander read the words again, and in an instant, panic filled his mind. But then, the gravity of the situation hit him like a train. A madness he had never felt in his life enveloped him, choking him with fear and rage. "Emma," he whispered, barely audible.

He pushed past Kevin and snatched the car keys from his outstretched hand, his face a mask of barely restrained panic as he hurried toward the private elevator.

As the elevator doors closed, Alexander's heart was pounding like a war drum. His mind raced with images of Emma: her warm smile, her fierce determination, and those rare moments she let her guard down around him. The thought that he was just too much to bear. could lose her, not be able to save her,

He shook his head, trying not to think about that.

7

The elevator pinged, and he rushed into the VIP car park. Leaping into the driver's seat of his sleek black car, he fired the engine. In a split second, his foot slammed onto the gas, the tires screeching as he sped out of the parking lot. ΑΔΔΔΔ

Setting her shaking finger on the scanner to open her office door, Emma took a deep, steadying breath in. The moment the door clicked open, she saw her chance, swinging an elbow into Derek's temple, as powerful as she could.

through another door which she slammed shut behind her. It was an open office filled with desks, computers, and scattered

crouched behind one of the tables, her palm over her mouth to reduce her ragged breaths. Her mind race desperately for an escape.

"You think you can outsmart me? You think you can run? You can't! We're in this together

Derek was checking every row, and under the fluorescent lights, his gun glittered. Her heart quickened as he came

her every move very slow and

her.

3 Jan

Chapter 133

39%

lifted his gun and fired into the roof. The deafening shot vibrated around the

Derek yelled at the top of his voice, which was breaking with madness. "You can't hide

Emma huddled, head covered with hands, her body shaking. "You're only making this worse!" Derek shouted, his voice growing more erratic. He fired again, hitting another desk. Papers flew into the air, and the scent of gunpowder filled the room. ma's tears began to flow freely, her breath slow as

they hugged her so tightly every night before bed. She could almost hear their voices calling for her, their small

her voice barely audible over

And then, it happened.

The bomb detonated!

it. The wave hit her like a train, hurling her across the

ears rang from the explosion. She tried to move, but she felt too weak where

children. Their laughter, their hugs, their