Chapter 683

The name echoed, tugging at the frayed edges of Aaron’s tightly wound heartstrings.

“Aaron, help me

Marilla’s pale face was streaked with tears, each one falling from her long lashes and landing on Aaron’s chest.

He wanted to comfort her, but any reassurance could provoke the hostage–taker, making her situation even more perilous.

Aaron met Marilla’s gaze before shifting his attention to the man’s bloodshot, terrifying eyes.

“Don, take a breath, buddy. The girl’s innocent. She doesn’t know your story, never met those five kids – she’s just an outsider here. How ‘bout this: I’ll be your hostage. Let her go, and you take me instead.”

Marilla’s teary eyes followed Aaron as he cautiously approached the captor, waves of guilt washing over her.

How could she have been so foolish? If only she’d waited patiently in the classroom for Lily to return. If only she hadn’t been so clumsy, maybe she could’ve outrun this.

But it was too late for what–ifs.

As Aaron edged closer, Don roared, “Don’t come any closer! I’ll slit her throat and jump, we’ll both be done for! Don’t think I can’t see right through you! You want to trade places and then fight me? You’re a cop; you think I can take you? I’ve already taken two lives what’s one more at this point?!”

I really do. I don’t have a daughter, but if someone hurt my sister like this, I wouldn’t stand for it either. I’d want justice for my

shrank, the knife against Marilla’s neck trembling,

daughter was a student here, that those five guys hurt her,

in shock as painful memories exploded in her mind, ringing in her ears, a relentless barrage of taunts.

You think you belong in school? Can you even understand

a normal school; she belongs

away from her – she’s crazy! Who knows, maybe it’s contagious?

agony she shut her eyes tightly, her face ashen, her legs trembling, barely able to hold herself up.

voice hoarse, “I truly want to help you! You’ve made a mistake, but don’t compound it with another. Your daughter’s still fighting for her life in the hospital. You should be there for her, not

turned into a murderer for her sake. She’ll carry not only the pain of being bullied but also the burden of your crime. How can she

though young, possessed the negotiation skills of a seasoned

– a

aim to save the hostage, but he also empathized with the perpetrator, treating them as a victim,

heartfelt appeal seemed to reach

feed me that bull! You cops talk

daughter, we’ve gone to the school authorities, to the cops, to deal with those five beasts more than once! Just because they come from influential families, they just walk out of the station without a scratch! How can I

anger. The Elmsworth Academy of Fine Arts was outside their jurisdiction; only now, with a criminal case, had they been called to the scene. in his district, such corruption – protecting the elite’s offspring and the collusion of officials and merchants – would

understand your pain”

voice shedding its prior terror for a touch of heartbreaking resolve,

was taken aback, “What did you say?!”

your daughter walk out of the shadow, and find justice,” Marilla struggled against the suffocating fear, which made

girl like you do?!”

from the Abernathy family. Don’t believe

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