Chapter 293: Kyle Blackwell Twirled the Dagger in His Hand

"Dr. Ward, didn't see this coming, did you?" Kyle Blackwell twirled the dagger in his hand, his lips curling into a sinister smirk.

His black leather boot slammed onto the table as he loomed over Elena Ward. His swollen face twisted with malice, beady eyes glinting with venom.

"Adrian Stone and Nathaniel must be losing their minds by now," he sneered, tapping his nose. "Pity—they'll never find me."

Elena calmly shrugged off her thick down coat, revealing a slim-fitting azure turtleneck. The delicate fabric hinted at her slender frame, yet there was nothing fragile about her poise.

"You can't run forever," she said, meeting his gaze. "The entire province is hunting you. You're nothing but a stray dog."

Kyle's grip tightened around the dagger, fury flashing in his eyes. "Even a stray dog can drag a few down with him. Imagine Adrian's face when he sees your corpse—"

He deliberately trailed off, raking his gaze over her.

Elena studied the boy—barely eighteen—and sighed inwardly. Compared to the calculating monster he'd become in a decade, this version was almost laughably naive.

"Sam, step aside." She gently nudged the trembling twelve-year-old shielding her.

"No!" Samuel Jackson planted his feet, voice quivering but stubborn. "He's bad, Aunt Elena!"

"It's alright. He won't hurt us." Her soothing tone belied her sharp focus on Kyle's every twitch.

Kyle barked a laugh. "Quite the child whisperer, Dr. Ward." The dagger gleamed as he tilted it. "Too bad I'm here for your life tonight."

Elena stepped forward, palms open in a show of harmlessness. "Are you certain this is your play, Kaijie?"

"Shut up!" he exploded. "You ruined everything!"

His flawless plan had crumbled under the freak snowstorm. Now every exit was crawling with law enforcement.

"Killing me solves nothing," Elena said evenly. "Adrian will hunt you to the ends of the earth."

"You think you matter?" Kyle's laughter turned unhinged. "You're just a plaything! The Stones would never cross The Blackwells over trash like you!"

He advanced, blade catching the light. "Tonight, you learn what happens to those who cross me."

Elena didn't flinch. A cryptic smile touched her lips. "Then try."

Her composure was the final spark. With a roar, Kyle lunged—dagger aimed straight for her heart—