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Chapter 329
~Author’s POV~
Ivan grunted but retaliated fast—twisting on his heel and driving a knee into Snow’s side.
Snow absorbed the blow, barely flinching.
He threw a sharp right hook, catching Ivan across the face. The impact snapped Ivan’s head to the side, blood spraying from his mouth as he staggered.
Another explosion rocked the building, shaking the floor beneath them.
Ivan spat blood, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. Then he lunged. They collided again, fists flying.
Ivan drove a punch into Snow’s stomach, but Snow barely reacted before slamming his elbow into Ivan’s throat, cutting off his air.
Gasping, Ivan stumbled but managed to grab a broken tal pipe from the debris. With a wild swing, he aid for Snow’s head.
Snow ducked. The pipe barely missed him, whistling through the air before it struck a crumbling wall.
Snow used the opening to land a devastating punch to Ivan’s jaw. The crack of bone against bone echoed through the chaos. Ivan crashed onto the floor, but before Snow could move in, another explosion sent both n flying.
The blast knocked Snow back, but Ivan was worse off—he rolled dangerously close to the edge of the crumbling floor.
He barely managed to catch onto a beam, his body dangling over the raging fire below.
Smoke billowed around them as Snow, coughing, staggered to his feet.
Ivan’s eyes widened in sheer panic. "Don’t let fall!" he gasped, his fingers digging into the splintering beam.
Snow stared down at him, his chest heaving as Ivan gasped, eyes wide. "Please... Don’t let fall!"
Snow caught Ivan’s wrist just before he slipped.
Snow gritted his teeth, his arm straining as he tried to pull Ivan up. "You’re lucky I have a conscience," he muttered, pushing off all thoughts of killing Ivan.
Zade appeared behind them, but before he could get close, a part of the ground fell through, leaving a gaping hole behind. "Hurry up! This place is coming down!" he urged.
Ivan groaned, using his free hand to grip the ledge. For a second, it looked like he might make it. Then, in one swift move, Ivan pulled out a hidden knife from his sleeves.
Zade’s eyes widened. "Snow, watch out!"
But it was too late. Ivan thrust his knife into Snow’s hand, making him hiss in pain and jerk back.
And that was all Ivan needed. With a wicked grin, he used all his strength to push Snow off the ledge.
"SNOW!" Zade roared sharply as he rushed close to the clearing but halted.
Zade snapped his head from side to side, scanning the area. Imdiately he rushed back, taking so steps away from the flas as he prepared for the jump.
Snow fell, but as he did, he grabbed onto one of the collapsing beams. His weight yanked it down—straight toward Ivan.
The last explosion detonated, and the ground beneath Ivan crumbled. He scread as he plumted—straight into the fire below.
The iron rod pierced through his chest as flas engulfed him.
Zade barely had ti to shield himself before the entire building collapsed.
Then, there was silence.
Smoke. Ash was everywhere.
And sowhere beneath the rubble... Snow.
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~Zade’s POV~
The entire building was in ruins—charred debris, smoke rising in thick waves, the stench of burning wood and tal filling my lungs. But I wasn’t focused on any of it.
I was focused on one thing—Snow.
"Snow!" I called out, coughing as dust and ash filled the air. My heart pounded as I scanned the wreckage, my pulse wild with panic.
"Snow!" I scread again. I couldn’t sll him in the debris. Either that or my fear was engulfing my senses. "Snow Zephyr!!"
What was I going to do if sothing terrible had happened? How would I face Zara knowing I couldn’t save the love of her life, her husband, my brother, and my friend?
Then, through the thick fog, I saw movent.
A hand gripping onto a twisted railing. "Shit," I breathed, rushing forward.
Snow dangled from the remains of the second floor, his fingers clenching the warped tal with everything he had. His knuckles were white, and his body hung above the smouldering rubble below.
"Snow!"
His head tilted up, his eyes sharp despite the blood trickling from a gash on his temple. "Took you long enough," he muttered.
I didn’t waste ti. I rushed to him and crouched down, gripping his wrist.
"On three," I instructed, and he gave a small nod.
"One... two—"
Before I could say three, Snow used his strength to push off the wall behind him, and with a grunt, I hauled him up and over the railing.
We collapsed onto the floor, both panting hard.
"Next ti," I wheezed, "let’s not do this again."
Snow let out a rough chuckle, rolling onto his back. "Agreed. But then again, it’s the danger that makes it all fun."
I playfully smacked Snow on the arm. "As much as I love danger, I have to think of Aira and Zara. I cannot let them get hurt if sothing happens to us."
"I understand."
After a few minutes of catching our breath, we stood and turned toward what was left of Ivan.
Ivan’s body was burned beyond recognition; the iron rod still impaled through his chest. The fire had done its work.
Snow exhaled, his expression unreadable as he took in the scene before him. Sothing flashed in his eyes, sothing like guilt if I didn’t know better.
"You may not have killed him, but you—"
"I got my wish," Snow cut in calmly.
I studied him, but there was nothing left to say.
Without another word, we turned and walked away.
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~Zara’s POV~
The second Snow stepped into the mansion, and everyone froze. I had seen his car arrive and rushed downstairs to et him but sothing felt too different.
Not just the way his clothes were torn, covered in soot and dried blood, but sothing else. His eyes were cold and unreadable, sweeping over us before he spoke.
"Ivan is dead."
Silence followed.
I felt my heart twist, but before I could react, Snow continued. "Also, with Kent’s call, that ans Thorned Crescent will be coming. Expect the worst."
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