Chapter 277

Samuel Reynolds curled his lips into a sinister smirk. "Be smart. Hands up and come here to exchange places!"

Evelyn Sullivan slowly raised her arms and stepped toward him. The entire lobby fell silent. Everyone held their breath, their eyes locked on Samuel's finger hovering over the detonator.

After three steps, Sophia Reynolds suddenly rushed forward and grabbed Evelyn's wrist.

"Evelyn, don't go!"

Sophia turned to Samuel, her eyes blazing with fury. "Dad, when will this end?! Do you really want to ruin my life?!"

Samuel sneered. "If it weren't for her poisoning your mind, you wouldn't have abandoned your own father! Everything that's happened to me is her fault! Once she's dead, you'll come back to me!"

"You're insane! Fine, if you want to die, I'll die with you!"

Sophia lunged at him.

Samuel staggered back, dragging the receptionist with him, panic flashing in his eyes. "Stop! One more step and I'll blow us all up!"

Evelyn yanked Sophia back. "He's unstable. Don't provoke him. Since he wants me, I'll talk to him. Once the receptionist is safe, evacuate everyone to the floors above the sixth. Ideally, get them out of the building entirely."

Sophia shook her head desperately, tears welling. "No, let me go instead."

"He won't agree." Evelyn lowered her voice. "I think someone's pulling his strings."

Sophia's pupils constricted. "What do you—"

"What are you whispering about?!" Samuel barked. "Evelyn, you have thirty seconds! Come here or we all die!"

"Remember what I said." Evelyn gave Sophia's hand a reassuring squeeze and walked toward Samuel.

Watching the unrecognizable madness in her father's eyes, Sophia felt her heart shatter. The man who had once carried her on his shoulders to watch fireworks and brought her dolls was gone—just like the Reynolds Corporation.

"Let her go," Evelyn said, stopping in front of Samuel.

He shoved the receptionist away. "Turn around!"

When Evelyn didn't move, he brandished the detonator. "Now! Or I'll send us all to hell!"

Evelyn slowly turned. Cold metal pressed against the back of her neck.

Sophia seized the moment, helping the trembling receptionist flee.

"Who said you could leave?!" Samuel roared.

"You wanted me," Evelyn said calmly. "Let them go. I'm staying."

"Shut up! If it weren't for you, Sophia's money would already be mine!"

"And?"

Samuel faltered. He'd only meant to intimidate Evelyn into forcing Sophia's compliance—not face this unnerving composure.

"You're not afraid to die?!" He jammed the gun harder against her skull.

Evelyn chuckled. "Terrified. But what good would that do? Though I doubt you really want to die for someone else's agenda."

The words ignited him. "Shut your mouth! If I die, you're coming with me!"

He slammed his thumb down on the detonator.

Beep.

The display on his chest lit up. Crimson numbers began their relentless countdown:

30:00.