Chapter 183

"Let her free," Nina demanded.

"You want her free? Fine, but you do exactly what I say," Charlie replied with a sinister grin.

Nina nodded. "Our issues shouldn't involve others. Just tell me what to do."

Her compliance took Charlie back to the old days.

He was a small-town kid who made it to college, bringing pride to his family. Everyone adored him, and the whole village envied him. This made Charlie used to getting his way.

After graduation, he stayed in Lakina, got a decent job, and married Nina. Over time, he felt she didn't measure up, and his temper worsened. Nina tolerated him for a long time.

Charlie loved feeling in control.

"Take off your clothes!" he ordered.

Nina frowned. "Here?"

Though there were no guests, Zaire's men were everywhere.

Charlie wanted to humiliate her.

"Yes, right here. Take them off!" Charlie's excitement grew, and he tightened his grip on Kelsey, making it hard for her to breathe.

Kelsey gasped, "Nina, don't listen to him. He just wants to humiliate you. Don't do it."

"Shut up!" Charlie's grip tightened.

Kelsey's feet left the ground, her face turning red from suffocation, and she struggled.

Nina's heart raced. "I'll do it, just don't strangle her!"

Charlie chuckled, loosening his grip slightly but still holding Kelsey's neck. "Hurry up!"

Nina started unbuttoning her evening gown.

"Faster!" Charlie urged.

Nina quickened her pace.

As she undid the last button, Charlie's malice peaked.

Suddenly, a gust of wind brushed past Nina's ear.

A muffled sound of a blade piercing flesh followed.

Charlie screamed, clutching his eye.

A small, precise arrow had struck his eyeball, blood gushing out.

Kelsey, stunned, broke free and ran to Nina.

Nina stared in shock, overwhelmed.

The arrow had just missed her ear.

She turned and saw a tall figure emerge from the shadows.

It was Richard, dressed in black, followed by Michael.

Richard tossed the crossbow to Michael and strode towards her.

At that moment, Nina felt the world go silent.

It was as if all sound and sensation had faded, leaving only Richard's tall, dark figure approaching her.

"Stay back!" Charlie's voice was shrill.

He saw people rushing in, gripped his short knife tightly, and suddenly turned to stab Nina.

"Nina!"

"Mom!"

Nina saw a figure step in front of her.

Charlie's knife plunged into the figure's body.

Charlie let out a beast-like roar, glaring at Nina over the figure.

The next second, Charlie was subdued.

The figure collapsed in front of Nina.

"Mom!" Kelsey screamed, dropping to the ground and hugging Margaret, crying.

Chaos erupted.

Richard reached Nina, draped his coat over her shoulders, and held her firmly.

Nina's legs were weak; without Richard's support, she might have fallen.

She watched as people emerged from the shadows, saw Margaret lying on the ground with a knife in her chest, the blade fully embedded in her body, leaving only the handle visible.

Charlie was pinned to the ground, an arrow sticking out of his eye, blood gushing out. He struggled like a trapped beast, his face twisted, his other eye fixed on Nina. "Nina, even if I die, I'll crawl out of hell to find you!"

Richard looked at him coldly, a hint of murderous intent in his eyes.

Charlie was taken away.

Zaire rushed Margaret to the hospital.

The party ended abruptly, and the Jose family went to the hospital. Sebastian and Isabella stayed behind to wrap things up.

By the time they saw off all the guests, it was early morning.

When Isabella and Sebastian arrived at the hospital, the surgery was still ongoing.

Charlie's knife had struck Margaret's heart, putting her in critical condition.

Nina stood there in a daze, the blood on her dress long dried. She still wore Richard's coat.

Richard stood a few steps away, watching Nina.

After a while, Michael came out of the elevator and walked up to Richard. They exchanged a look, and Richard walked to a quiet corner with him.

Michael spoke first, "There's a problem at the casino that needs your attention."

Richard frowned slightly. "Got it."

He told Michael to go ahead and then returned to the surgery room, walking up to Nina. "I need to go back and handle something. I'll come find you when I'm done."

Nina's eyes were vacant, as if she hadn't heard him. She didn't even blink.

Seeing her like this made Richard's heart ache.

Zaire walked over. "Mr. Cole, thank you for your help tonight. If you have matters to attend to, please go ahead. I'll take care of her."

Richard nodded. "Thank you."

Zaire replied, "It's my duty. She's my sister."

Richard glanced at Nina again, said nothing, and turned to leave.

After about another hour, the surgery finally ended.

When the door opened, Nina stumbled forward.

Margaret lay on the bed, medical tubes attached to her body, her face as pale as death.

At that moment, Nina's legs gave out, and she couldn't take another step.

"Doctor, how's my mom?" Kelsey's eyes were swollen from crying.

"The surgery was successful, but the patient is still not out of danger. She's still in a coma, and the next 72 hours are critical. We'll monitor her closely. It all depends on whether she can make it through these 72 hours."

Kelsey leaned on the bed. "Mom will make it. She's the best."

She pulled Nina over. "Nina, talk to Mom. She cares about you more than anyone. If she hears your voice, she'll wake up sooner!"

Nina opened her mouth but couldn't say a word.