Chapter 357

The atmosphere in the car had shifted dramatically within minutes, all because of Vivian's subtle influence on Adrian without him even realizing it.

Twenty minutes later, the luxury sedan glided into the underground parking garage of Opal Galleria. The dinner crowd hadn't arrived yet, leaving plenty of empty spaces. Vivian was the first to step out, but before she could fully stand, a shadow lunged at her from the periphery. A venomous voice hissed, "You vile creature, you should burn in hell!"

As the figure closed in, Vivian recognized him - Maxwell Sterling. The once polished businessman now looked like a homeless drifter, his clothes tattered, face gaunt with exhaustion. In his hand gleamed a butcher's knife, its edge catching the fluorescent lights with deadly promise.

Ethan barely had time to react before Adrian moved with panther-like grace, positioning himself as a human shield between Vivian and danger. The blade sliced through Adrian's tailored sleeve, revealing a deep gash that immediately stained the fabric crimson.

"You're both dead!" Maxwell snarled, raising the knife again. But Adrian was faster this time. A well-placed kick sent Maxwell sprawling across the concrete, the knife skittering out of reach. Ethan sprang into action, pinning Maxwell face-down with expert precision.

"I'm calling an ambulance," Vivian said urgently, peeling back Adrian's blood-soaked sleeve. Her breath caught - the wound was deep enough to glimpse bone. For a terrifying moment, her vision swam, but she forced herself to focus. Panic wouldn't help now.

With steady hands, she fashioned a tourniquet from Adrian's spare tie, the silk quickly soaking through with warm, sticky blood. The metallic scent triggered flashbacks of smoke and screaming, of lives draining away before her eyes. She shook her head violently to dispel the images.

"Stay with me," she whispered, tightening the makeshift bandage. Whether the words were for Adrian or herself, she couldn't tell.

Adrian gave her a weak smile. "Just a scratch, darling. Call the police first."

Her fingers trembled as she dialed 911. After hanging up, she immediately called their private physician at Harbor Grand Hospital. Only when both calls were completed did she turn her attention to Maxwell.

Ethan had him immobilized, face pressed against the cold concrete. Maxwell's sunken eyes burned with hatred as Vivian approached. "This is all your doing, you bitch," he spat.

Ethan delivered two sharp blows to Maxwell's ribs. "Mrs. Blackwood, please step back."

Vivian wasn't worried. She knew Ethan's capabilities - he'd trained alongside Adrian in special forces techniques.

The parking garage's fluorescent lights flickered overhead, casting eerie shadows as they waited for authorities to arrive. Adrian's blood continued to seep through the silk tie, each crimson drop a terrifying countdown. Vivian pressed harder on the wound, her mind racing with worst-case scenarios she refused to voice.

Maxwell began laughing hysterically, the sound echoing off the concrete pillars. "You think this is over? You have no idea what's coming."

Adrian's grip on Vivian's free hand tightened, his face pale but determined. The standoff continued, three lives hanging in the balance beneath the flickering lights of Opal Galleria's underground parking.