Anne sighed and gently wiped John's tears away. She then squeezed out a smile."Can you say something, Anne?" John's voice trembled. "The doctor said that your vocal cords are fine, and nothing went wrong with your ears or mouth. Nothing's stopping you from speaking. It's just a mental block…"Tell me what's on your mind, Anne. Tell me, and we can get through it together."John's tears ran along Anne's neckline and into her shirt. "Anne, I really want to hear your voice. I can't wait to talk to you again."He had been under immense pressure since leaving Banyan City and especially after their arrival in Scarnfield City.He chose to come here because he was under the impression that Robyn was doing well for herself, but it turned out that was not the case.She was already struggling herself, and their arrival only made her situation worse.John had always been a hardworking person, and he never intended to trouble his sister.However, since they made such a trip and Robyn insist
John hugged Anne longly before finally regaining his composure. He kissed her forehead and held her face in his hands tenderly. "Shall we go to bed together? I'll make you a nice cup of warm milk if you can't sleep."Anne nodded.With that, John smiled and kissed her again before finally leaving the room.The living room was dark, which meant Robyn had gone to sleep.John switched on the lights, then walked into the kitchen to grab the milk carton and heated it in a cup.He returned to the bedroom with Anne's cup, only to find her staring out the window at the apartment building across from theirs.At this moment, the entire building was ablaze with light and activity. Cars were parked outside the building with countless men dressed in black rushing into the building as though they were in search of someone.John furrowed his brows. "Is that the police?"Those men did not appear to be policemen, but if not, who else would they be? Why would they be searching for someone in the
Anne froze upon hearing John's idea.A second later, she sighed and nodded."Alright. I'll be off now." John sighed as he took the empty cup from her. "I know that neither of us would even blink an eye for ten thousand dollars in the past, but…"Things have changed.10000 dollars was more than enough to cover their household expenses for three months and temporarily relieve their financial burden. He wanted to do everything he could to get his hands on the money.The look Anne cast at him was full of helplessness and remorse.She wrapped her arms around John's body and gently kissed his jaw. Finally, she fixed her gaze on him, as though she was trying to tell him that she would support him no matter what.Although Anne could no longer speak, they were soulmates and could understand each other with just one glance. Therefore, John understood exactly what she was trying to convey to him.He nodded before finally walking out of the room and closing the door gently behind him. Then
The old version of John would have passed out if he was threatened with a gun, but after nearly losing Anne's life and having murdered someone with his bare hands, he was not at all afraid of being pointed at with a gun.He stared at the man pointing the gun. "I'm just here for the money."The man frowned and asked dubiously, "What money?"John pointed at the illuminated buildings outside the window. "Well, if I guessed correctly, all those people are here for you."The man narrowed his eyes. "You're correct."They would never miss out on such a commotion.Unfortunately, they did not receive any orders from Tyson to leave, and even if they wanted to, they were surrounded and had no chance of escaping.They were trying to decide what to do, and this man just so happened to barge in. Of course they would immediately suspect his motives."What are you doing here?"John sighed and pointed again at his apartment building. "I live right across the street. We all heard that they were
"I can help you escape!" John exclaimed just as the man was about the pull trigger. "I can help you!"The man furrowed his brow and moved the gun away from John's forehead. "What do you have?"John exhaled and said in a low voice, "Sir, have you forgotten about what I said? Whoever's searching for you right now is giving out ten thousand dollars to every person whose door they knocked on."There are many more tenants in this building besides you, and if you guys split up and sneak into the vacant units, you'll be able to pass off as tenants. Not only will you be safe, but you'll get some money in addition also."There are plenty of other people like me who've snuck in just to get the money. If you put on a good act, I'm sure no one will notice!"With that, John glanced at the rest of the men in the room and added, "Sir, I'm sorry to say this, but you guys are no match for the people outside. There are carloads of men out there searching for you right now, and no matter how powerfu
"Do you honestly think I'd be a spy?" John scratched his head sheepishly. "I'm just here for the money, but I just so happened to run into you guys. Now that I'm here, not only will I not get my money, but I might be killed too. All I'm trying to do is make sure I get out of here alive by helping you guys."Scarface stared at him for a long time before narrowing his eyes again. "Are you being honest?""Of course I am." John grinned. "I, like everyone else in this room, just want to stay alive."If you don't listen to my advice, and those people find us…"John did not need to finish his sentence; everyone in the room knew what would happen to them if they were found.One of the men leaped off the bed. "Let's do as he said, Scarface. We'll all split up and each find a unit to hide in. It's all a game of luck from here on out. Even if we're found, we can't reveal anything about the rest of us."This is far better than staying here and waiting for death to come.""But…" All of a sud
"Sir," John called out. "I never pegged you for such a loyal friend."Scarface glared at him. "Don't talk to me. You're a slippery eel. I know you're just talking to me because you're trying to escape. Well, let me tell you this; you won't stand a chance."Since he had chosen to sacrifice himself by staying behind with the hostages, he was determined not to be fooled by this man anymore.John's heart sank. "Sir, I'm not trying to escape. I just wanted to make small talk, that's all."Scarface sneered. "Well, if you're feeling lonely, you can talk to that old geezer next to you. He's been here a long time and didn't have anyone to talk to. Perhaps you guys can be friends and accompany each other when you go to heaven!"Scarface's words made John's skin crawl. He was about to say something else, but Scarface pointed the gun at him. "Shut up, or I'll shoot you."John froze and decided not to bother him anymore. Instead, he turned to the man next to him. "Hello, sir. Tell me, how ric
John cowered and did not dare to say another word. Instead, he sighed in desolation.Was he going to die here?He had yet to hear Anne utter her first word. He had yet to watch his beautiful daughter grow up or see his sister get married…He closed his eyes.He had done everything he could to fake Anne's death so he could sneak her out of Banyan City to somewhere where no one could find them.He thought he could finally give her the life she wanted and protect her from danger, but he had walked right into a trap, all for the promise of 10000 dollars. He could not even begin to imagine how Robyn and Anne would react if they heard about this.Would Anne be so stunned by the news of his death that she could finally speak again?If that happened, perhaps his death would finally mean something after all…All of a sudden, Scarface turned to glance coldly at Andy and said, "You still haven't answered the question."Andy and John were both stunned to hear this.A split second later,