Chatper 170


    Chapter 170


    Brian stood across the street on the second–floor balcony, his fingers delicately adjusting the grip on


    his pistol before raising it again. His aim settled on a figure in the crowd below, Ken. With a light


    squeeze of the trigger, the bullet whizzed past Ken’s ear, a near miss that sliced through the air.


    Uriah and the other of Ken’s entourage, who had followed behind Ken and Natalie not far off,


    noticed the disturbance and immediately began pushing against the flow of people, trying to get to the


    source of the threat.


    Instinctively, Ken spun around, shielding Natalie within his arms amidst the chaos. His eyes searched


    for the direction of the gunshot.


    There was Brian, standing on the opposite balcony, a cold, mocking smile on his lips as he looked


    down upon Ken with icy disdain. To Brian, Ken was nothing more than an ant, and he relished the


    power he held over such insignificant beings.


    Brian would make Ken pay for daring toy a finger on his woman.


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    Uriah and the rest quickly drove up, and Ken, never one to hesitate, urged Natalie toward them,


    insisting she get in the car first for her safety. The pandemonium Brian had caused had sent people


    scattering in all directions, and Ken feared Natalie might get hurt in the fray.


    When Natalie finally realized the gravity of the situation, she looked up to where Brian stood, bathed in


    backlight, his presence chilling to the bone.


    Brian caught Natalie’s gaze and held it. He intended to teach her the consequences of defiance. Brian


    raised his gun once more, this time aiming for Ken’s shoulder. His focus never left Natalie, not even


    as he fired.


    As the third gunshot echoed, Brian swiftly turned and disappeared from the balcony’s view.


    Stunned, Natalie shook off Uriah’s grasp and dashed toward Ken. His arm was bleeding profusely


    from the wound, yet he seemed oblivious to the pain. His cold eyes followed Brian’s retreating figure,


    his hand inching toward the gun holstered at his back.


    Before he could draw it, Natalie was there, holding down his arm, using her body to block the line of


    sight from Brian’s henchmen on the balcony. “Are you out of your mind?” she hissed. “Exposing


    yourself in broad daylight like this?”


    Brian’s message had been clear. It was a warning. He hadn’t intended to kill Ken, but if Ken dared


    retaliate, Brian would be a dead man.


    Their eyes locked, aplex exchange passing between them. When Ken looked back toward the


    balcony, Brian was gone.


    hapter 179


    turning to look at Ken inside.


    Fortunately, the wound wasn’t severe. After a quick patch–up at the hospital, the bleeding had stopped.


    They shared a silent, lingering gaze before Natalie’s voice softened. “Take care of yourself when you


    get back, okay? And don’t forget to return for a check–up.”


    Ken remained silent for a while before responding in a low voice, “You said one year.


    “I’ve given you a year. If Brian keeps this up, I’ll take his life without a second thought.”


    Natalie started to speak again, but Ken gestured for Uriah to close the car door


    voice.


    Natalie met his gaze, nodded, and replied, “Yes, that’s me.”