Chapter 320

The bamboo forest rustled with an eerie whisper.

Evelyn Carter was dragged through the corridor by a maid, her high heels clicking frantically against the stone pavement.

"Where are you taking me?"

The maid didn’t answer, only tightening her grip on Evelyn’s wrist.

At the edge of the bamboo grove lay the abandoned old dock of the Dempsey family. The briny sea wind slapped against Evelyn’s face.

She yanked her hand free and turned to run.

"Ah—"

A sharp pain pierced the back of her neck.

Staggering, she collapsed to the ground as her vision blurred.

…

The pungent stench of fish invaded her nostrils.

Evelyn struggled to open her eyes, finding her hands bound behind her back with coarse rope, her delicate wrists already raw and bleeding.

In the dimly lit cabin, two men were murmuring.

"Have you lost your mind? Kidnapping someone from the Hamiltons!"

"Who cares?" Simon Stapleton crushed his cigarette underfoot. "I’ve got nothing left to lose."

The ember traced a crimson arc in the darkness.

Evelyn held her breath, nails digging into her palms.

"Alexander will find us soon," Peter Harrison warned in a hushed voice. "We should—"

"I’m counting on it!" Simon suddenly roared, kicking over a nearby oil drum. "See that? Twenty barrels of gasoline!"

Thick liquid seeped through the cracks in the deck.

A chill ran down Evelyn’s spine.

"You—" Peter’s voice trembled. "You’re planning to die together?"

Simon threw his head back with a manic laugh. "I want Alexander to watch his beloved—"

BANG!

The cabin door burst open with a violent crash.

Blinding floodlights flooded the space.

"Police! Freeze!"

Simon’s face twisted. He snatched up a machete and lunged at Evelyn.

"Stay back! Or I’ll—"

BANG!

A gunshot split the night.

Clutching his shoulder, Simon dropped to his knees. The machete clattered at Evelyn’s feet.

"Evelyn!"

The familiar voice made her eyes well up instantly.

Alexander Hamilton charged in, his suit stained with blood. He tore off the ropes and pulled her into a crushing embrace.

"It’s over now. You’re safe..."

Shivering in his arms, Evelyn suddenly caught sight of Simon’s grotesque smile.

"Look out!"

With his last ounce of strength, Simon pressed the detonator.

BOOM—

A towering inferno swallowed the entire dock.