Winning Her Heart Back

 She Can Survive as Long as He's Alive

"What do you mean 'on purpose'?' Emelie asked.

"I mean you purposely drew public attention to us," William said.

Emelie pulled her hand back and twisted the cap off her drink. Without a change in expression, she asked, " Why do you think that?"

William could see right through it. If he couldn't, he wouldn't be William.

He explained, 'First, escaping from the Denning Residence was too easy. Second, going to a hospital during a fugitive run was far from a rational choice. Third, given your physical condition and abilities, it's almost impossible that you could have escaped from those men in black on your own.

"Fourth, opting to break out of custody instead of negotiating with the police wasn't the best strategy. Fifth, the online frenzy happened too quickly and became too intense."

They had been on the run for three days, and these suspicions had followed William all that time.

He continued, "So, the only reasonable explanation I can think of is that the people in the manor intentionally let us escape, and you went to the hospital because you wanted to create a scene in a crowded place.

"In reality, someone has been helping you shake off the pursuers from the shadows. Breaking out of custody and the chaos at the hospital were all part of the plan to attract public attention. As for the online hype, manipulating public opinion is one of your specialties. It's your forte.'

In short, Emelie had orchestrated it all

There was only one logical conclusion William could reach. "You're baiting Mrs. Russo. The more she fails to catch you, the more frustrated she becomes, which will lead her to act more recklessly. The more she acts out, the more evidence of her crimes she'll expose

A slight smile played on Emelie's lips.

Just as she was about to speak while twisting the cap back onto her drink, they heard a shout from the entrance of the alley. "They're here!"

Within just a few moments, a group of over ten men had blocked the alley.

Even though William suspected Emelie had planned this, his first instinct was still to shield her behind him.

The newcomers weren't police or assassins. They looked menacing and were dressed in various outfits. They looked more like gangsters.

William recognized the man leading them. It was the same gang leader that he had clashed with during a university trip.

William considered making a break for it with Emelie, but then the gang leader drew a gun and aimed it at them.

They were outmatched.

In a confrontation between flesh and bullets, they had no choice but to surrender.

The leader glanced at Emelie before signaling his men to bring her over.

Not knowing whether these people were friends or foes, William wasn't about to let them take Emelie without a fight.

As two men approached Emelie, William kicked them aside before they could touch her.

The rest of the gang grew furious. Before Emelie could say anything, they attacked William.

When it came to hand-to-hand combat, William was undefeated. He had been trained in martial arts from a young age and taking on multiple opponents at once was nothing new to him.

Still, they had been on the run for three days. His strength and stamina were nearly depleted. Moreover, theyContent property of NôvelDra/ma.Org.

outnumbered him, and they weren't above using cheap tactics or fighting in turns.

William stood no chance in such a situation.

One of the thugs landed a punch to his abdomen, likely hitting his spleen, causing William to double over in pain. As he straightened up, another fist smashed into the side of his face.

His face, which had been strikingly handsome even in his disheveled state, now bore a dark bruise. His short hair fell across his brow, making him look somewhat ragged.

Emelie instinctively stepped forward.

However, before she could move, two thugs grabbed her shoulders and growled, 'No, no, no! Don't move! Damn it!"

Even in this dire situation, William managed to take down the two men holding Emelie and pulled Emelie back behind him. He gripped her hand tightly, refusing to let anyone else touch her.

Emelie was momentarily stunned as she stared at his back.

She wanted to tell him there was no need to fight because these men weren't here to capture them. However, her mind was flooded with memories at that moment, which took over her original thoughts.

It seemed like every time they were in danger, he would always shield her like this. It was as if this was his instinctual, ingrained reaction.

No matter who the opponent or his condition was, he would always protect her. He was like her final line of defense, her shield. Even if all her other cards were played out, at least she still had him.

As long as he was alive, she could survive.