Time was ticking. The press conference was about to begin.


    Landon escorted Sebastian out of the manor and into Jasper''s car. He nced at Jasper, who sat in the back seat, his expression calm andposed.


    With concern etched on his face, Landon said, "Jasper, let mee with you. I can''t feel at ease otherwise."


    Jasper met Landon''s gaze, firm and aloof. "Don''t worry, Landon. You''ve done enough. It''s time for you to step back."


    If Landon continued to help, he would only get caught up in the chaos.


    Despite his current difficulty in articting his feelings, Jasper couldn''t forget that this was his best friend, the one he''d stood by for more than 20 years.


    Landon had endured so much to finally be happy with Lauren, and Jasper wasn''t about to be the one to disrupt that hard-earned happiness.


    Understanding Jasper''s stubbornness, Landon turned to Xavier. "Call me immediately if anything happens."


    "Don''t worry, Mr. Harper," Xavier reassured.


    With that, Sebastian climbed into the back seat beside Jasper while a few of Jasper''s trusted subordinates followed in another car. The two vehicles sped off, one after the other. Landon remained standing, unease gnawing at him as he watched them drive away.


    ...


    The luxury cars sped toward Berenike Hotel.


    "Mr. Beckett, w-will I end up dying?" Sebastian asked, his voice trembling.


    Expressionlessly, Jasper asked, "Why do you ask?"


    "I chose your side, which means I''ve offended Mr. Justin. He sent men to kill me before. Will I survive?"


    Sebastian buried his face in his hands, despair evident in his posture.


    Though Jasper''s face betrayed no emotion, he didn''t want Sebastian to die.


    "Don''t worry-"


    Just as he spoke, a deafening crash echoed from behind their car.


    Xavier jerked in fright, immediately ncing at the rearview mirror.


    Jasper''s gaze hardened as he turned around, holding his breath.


    A truck had collided with the car following them, flipping it over and mming it into the sidewalk. The force shattered the windows of nearby shops.


    "Shit. Karma''se for me!" Sebastian eximed, covering his head.


    This was Xavier''s first time witnessing such a scene. His face drained of color as panic set in. "M-Mr. Beckett, what should we do?"


    "Floor it! Keep going, and don''t stop!" Jasper ordered, his voice tense.


    It wasn''t that he wanted to abandon his subordinates, but stopping now would only make things worse.


    The ck Maybach surged forward, its engine roaring.


    Another vehicle appeared from behind, tailing them closely.


    "Xavier, watch out!"


    Jasper''s eyes widened in rm.


    Distracted by the car behind them, Xavier didn''t see the massive truck speeding toward them from the front. The danger was imminent.


    If they collided head-on, they wouldn''t survive.


    With a shout, Xavier wrenched the steering wheel to the left, sending the Maybach careening into a narrow alley. A thunderous crash echoed from behind.


    Jasper nced back, only to see the


    truck and the tailing vehicle collide, creating a chaotic scene that could have been straight out of an action movie.


    "Fuck! Damn it!" Xavier muttered, drenched in sweat but feeling a sense of relief. "When I have kids, I''ll tell them how amazing I was. This felt like a scene from The Swift and the Savage!"


    en


    Sebastian thanked the heavens before remarking, "Don''t get smug, Mr. Hall. We''d be in their ce if it weren''t for Mr. Beckett''s quick thinking." Before Xavier could respond, another vehicle appeared ahead, blocking their path. It was clear the attackers were still on their tail.


    "M-Mr. Beckett, what should we do now?"


    The panic took hold of Xavier, and before he could stop himself, his hometown ent surfaced, thickening his words.


    With a fiery determination, Jaspermanded, "Don''t stop. Drive straight into them!"


    They were in the city, in broad daylight. Jasper knew the attackers wouldn''t risk firing shots. If they did, the police would be on the scene in moments, and surveince cameras would capture their every move.


    Without firearms, the attackers could only rely on other weapons.


    Clenching his teeth, Xavier steeled himself and put the pedal to the metal, charging toward the vehicle ahead.


    Suddenly, the Maybach lurched, its tires screeching as it made a 180-degree turn, crashing into a building on the right. They nearly flipped over. "Damn it. Our tires are punctured!" Xavier yelled.


    Just then, Jasper noticed a glint ahead. Realizing the danger, he shouted, "Xavier, get down!"


    He shoved Sebastian''s head down, then lowered himself as well.


    A sharp whoosh filled the air.


    A steel-tipped arrow shot toward them, smashing through the windshield and embedding itself in the driver''s seat.


    It was a close call. If Jasper hadn''t warned Xavier in time, the arrow would have struck him directly in the head.