Chapter 196: Ch 196: Keep the Phone - Part 2
The room was deathly silent as soon as Ethan had entered.
The bodyguard sat frozen in place, his breath shallow, his body trembling as he faced the predator standing before him.
Ethan Park.
The air around Ethan was thick, suffocating and it cracked with his anger and power. It was clear that Ethan was not in a forgiving mood.
His golden eyes glead like a predator who had cornered its prey—watching, waiting, savoring the mont before the kill.
The bodyguard gulped.
’I-I will be fine. No matter how dangerous this man is, I am sure he would hear soone from the Vale family out...right?’
His lips trembled as he tried to speak, but his throat felt tight, constricted—as if the pressure of Ethan’s presence alone was strangling him.
Still, he knew that if he didn’t say anything now, he would not live to see another day.
"I-I’ll talk! I swear! I’ll tell you everything I know! I-I am from the Vale family, so I am much more useful to you."
He stamred, his voice cracking from fear.
Ethan tilted his head slightly.
And then, he smiled.
But it was not a smile of reassurance.
No.
It was the kind of smile that made the bodyguard’s blood turn to ice.
A silent promise of pain.
Of suffering.
Of what would happen if he did not keep his word.
The bodyguard felt his stomach churn. His hands shook as he reached into his pocket and pulled out a burner phone.
"H-here! I can c-call the doctor! H-he’ll answer all your questions!"
He choked out, holding the phone up.
Ethan raised an eyebrow, his expression unreadable.
"Is that so? Well then, go on. Call him."
His voice was smooth, calm.
The bodyguard’s fingers fumbled as he quickly unlocked the phone and dialed the only saved number.
The ringing echoed in the silent room.
Once.
Twice.
No answer.
The bodyguard’s face paled.
His breathing turned ragged as he tried again—his sweaty fingers slipping against the phone screen.
"H-he must be busy! That’s why he’s not picking up! I-I swear, he’ll answer soon—"
He blurted out desperately.
CRACK.
The bodyguard didn’t even see Ethan move.
One second, he was stuttering, trying to plead for his life—
The next, a sharp, unbearable pain shot through his neck as Ethan’s hand wrapped around it like a vice.
The force was enough to snap his head to the side, sending him crashing to the ground.
His body hit the floor with a thud.
Unconscious.
Ethan sighed, flexing his fingers as if bored.
"One chance, and he wasted it."
He muttered, shaking his head.
Then, just as he was about to toss the burner phone aside—
It rang.
The timing was almost eerie.
Ethan narrowed his eyes and slowly lifted the phone to his ear.
He didn’t speak.
A few seconds passed before a voice on the other end let out a disappointed sigh.
"I assu my dear little assistant is dead?"
Ethan’s jaw tightened.
"Not yet. His survival depends on how much you’re willing to talk."
He said coolly, glancing at the bodyguard’s unmoving form.
A low chuckle ca from the other side.
"Interesting. I suppose this is where I should beg for his life? Ask you to spare him?"
The doctor mused.
Ethan stayed silent.
The doctor sighed again, but there was no real concern in his tone.
"What a waste. It’s hard to find good help these days."
He murmured, almost to himself.
Ethan felt his patience running thin.
"Enough gas! You’re going to tell
everything I want to know—"
He snapped.
"Of course, of course. I’d be happy to share. But... on one condition."
The doctor interrupted smoothly.
Ethan’s fingers tightened around the phone.
"Na it."
The doctor chuckled softly.
"Hand over Selene Vale to ."
The air around Ethan dropped several degrees.
His entire body tensed, his grip on the phone nearly crushing the device.
The doctor, completely unfazed, continued in that sa calm, calculating voice.
"I must say, she’s quite the fascinating subject. Her reaction to the compound was... unexpected. I’d love the opportunity to study her further."
He mused.
Ethan’s vision darkened.
A slow, simring rage coiled in his chest.
This man—
This bastard...
He wanted Selene?
Ethan didn’t hesitate.
With a sharp, deliberate motion—
He hung up.
The call ended.
And the room fell into a tense, suffocating silence.
Ethan exhaled sharply, his jaw clenched.
He had more words to say.
More threats to make.
But at that mont—
A soft groan broke through the silence.
Ethan’s golden eyes snapped toward the chair.
Selene’s fingers twitched.
Her lashes fluttered slightly as she stirred, a faint pained expression on her face.
Ethan’s rage instantly took a backseat.
His focus shifted.
She was waking up.
He quickly moved to her side, crouching beside her as she weakly opened her eyes.
Her gaze was hazy, unfocused.
"Ethan...?"
Her voice was barely a whisper, but it was enough.
Ethan imdiately softened.
"I’m here."
He murmured, his voice unusually gentle.
Selene’s eyelids drooped, exhaustion still pulling at her.
Ethan hesitated for a mont.
Then, carefully, he lifted her into his arms.
She barely reacted, only shifting slightly as she pressed against his chest, her body still heavy with fatigue.
Ethan adjusted his hold, ensuring she was secure before turning toward the unconscious bodyguard on the floor.
His golden eyes darkened.
He still had unfinished business.
But now was not the ti.
He had bigger priorities.
Selene needed rest.
And Ethan needed to get her sowhere safe.
Just as he turned to leave, the burner phone buzzed again.
Ethan glanced at it.
The doctor’s voice ca through, calm and composed.
"Keep the phone, Mr. Park."
A pause.
Then—
"You’ll be needing it soon."
The call ended.
Ethan didn’t respond.
Didn’t react.
With a single movent, he crushed the phone in his grip—turning it into a useless pile of plastic and tal.
Then, without another glance back, he carried Selene out of the room.
It was ti to go ho.
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