Female Novel
Chapter 377
"Ian, the game has only just begun, and the best is yet to come."
His assistant nodded affirmatively. "Boss, this time, we'll hit Hayes Corporation hard. Ian's name willbe trashed online, and we can proceed with our plan without a hitch."
A devilish smirk crept across the man's face. "The more Ian wants something, the more I enjoywatching it crumble to dust. I'm really curious to see what he's capable of when it comes to ashowdown with me."
With that, he casually lifted his glass and sipped on some cabernet, his eyes glinting with a sinisterlight.
His grip tightened unwittingly on his unsuspecting thigh. Scenes from years past flickered throughhis mind.
Just then, the assistant received a call and reported back, "Boss, we've got word that Ian rushedinto the inferno to save Leonora."
The man's eyes narrowed slightly. The fire was raging, and yet Ian dared to charge in. Did he haveno fear of death?
A cold laugh escaped the man's lips. "If he's so eager to meet his maker, let's help him along. Tellthem to fuel the flames."
"Right away, sir," the assistant replied, ready to carry out the order.
Meanwhile, on the other side...
Ian had plunged into the blaze, heading straight for Leonora's room, but after searching frantically,there was no sign of Leonora.
A firefighter grabbed his arm and urged, "Mr. Hayes, there's a gas leak. This place is going to blowany minute, and you need to get out now!"novelbin
Ian clenched his jaw in frustration.
The Hayes family estate was built to be fireproof and blast-resistant. It was constructed with thefinest materials, and not even a wildfire could threaten its integrity. Plus, the gas valves weredesigned to switch to protective mode in the presence of fire. There was simply no chance of themleaking.
Unless, of course, someone had deliberately tampered with them.
Realizing the gravity of the situation, that someone might be attempting murder, Ian bellowed intothe room, "Leonora, can you hear me? Someone wants you dead. If you don't show yourself, you'regoing to die here!"
His voice cut through the roar of the flames. Soon after, Leonora's cries for help echoed from theadjacent room. "Ian, I'm here. Get me out!"
Ian kicked the door open to find Leonora with a damp blanket draped over her head, huddled nextto the kitchen sink, which was overflowing with water.
He gritted his teeth in realization. She had already figured out a way to save herself but was hidingto avoid detection. Her aim was to let the fire escalate, putting him in peril.
This was his own mother, willing to sacrifice his well-being for her own ends.
Without hesitation, Ian scooped Leonora into his arms. Just then, an explosion from the first floorshook the second, causing the ceiling to sway and walls to crumble.
Shielding Ian, the firefighter, insisted, "Mr. Hayes, the gas line on the first floor has burst, and there'sgoing to be a second explosion. We have to jump from here, hand her to me, and jump first."
Ian, however, sidestepped the offer. "You jump first, and catch her down there," he ordered sternly.
"That's too risky. You won't have a chance to escape."
"Quit arguing and jump!"
Knowing that every second lost could spell disaster, the firefighter dashed through the flames andleaped out.
When he saw that the firefighter was ready to catch Leonora below, Ian dropped her into his waitingarms. As Ian was about to jump from the window, a deafening blast echoed, jolting everyone to thecore.