"What do I want?" The man pointed at himself, amusement lacing his voice. "Second Master Scott, you terribly lack the awareness of the situation."
Liam's brows furrowed, and the man smiled again.
"I mean real awareness of the situation. Otherwise, instead of asking what I want, you would be more focused on figuring out what exactly you are willing to pay to save your sisters."
"They are my sisters," Liam clenched his fingers into fists, fighting an urge to throw a punch. "I don't have to think. As long as they can be safe, the price doesn't matter. We are willing to give it away."
"Yes," Charlotte nodded hastily. "It doesn't matter what you want. We will give everything. Just let my daughters go."
The man studied her, his gaze sharp with interest —as if weighing how far he could push her.
Just then, the sound of hurried footsteps echoed from the distance.
The man paused and turned his head slightly. Anticipation flickered in his eyes. And as expected, moments later, a man in a tailored suit entered the space. His brows were tightly drawn, his concern was unmistakable.
His steps were brisk, almost rushed, as though he had come without a second thought.
"Xavier," Liam's brows furrowed slightly in surprise. "How did you get here?"
Xavier didn't answer. His eyes remained locked on one woman tied to a chair —still carrying the same composed aura she had worn all these years, even in captivity.
"I informed him," Bryer said quietly, answering his brother.
"Good thing that you did," the man said instead of Liam, clearly pleased. "After all, the more the merrier."
Bryer frowned, but before he could respond, Xavier spoke.
"I brought you enough money. Let them go."
He tossed the heavy bag he had been carrying. It hit the ground with a dull thud.
The man's gaze dropped briefly before lifting again, his lips pursing in clear disappointment.
"Money in exchange for your fiancé?" he scoffed. "Young Master Colsen, I expected better. Is that truly all you can offer? A sum that disappears the moment it's spent?"
Xavier's jaw tightened. His gaze flicked once more to Adelyn —expecting something. Fear. Relief. Even gratitude.
But her eyes were empty. As though she had never expected him to come at all.
How could she still be like this in a situation like this?
Does she really feel no fear?
Would she not show even a fraction of it —to him?
The indifference on Adelyn's face made Xavier grind his teeth.
"Adelyn is my fiancée," he said coldly. "I would give up everything if that's what it takes to keep her safe."
If it had been any woman, those words would have melted her heart.
But Adelyn couldn't suppress the mocking curve of her lips. To her, Xavier's declaration sounded like nothing but a joke. A joke that he cracks to delude himself and everyone.
Clara clenched her teeth. Xavier made a promise to sacrifice the world if it meant for Adelyn —only reminded her how incompetent she had been to let her possessions be taken away like that.
"Sister," she murmured softly, "aren't you the luckiest? Xavier loves you so much. I wish I had someone like him by my side. But —"
Adelyn's gaze snapped to her, sharp enough to pierce through her bones.
"You don't have to crave him anymore," she said coolly, "If you want him, then have him —completely. Because I don't want him by my side."
"You —"
"Not surprising," the man muttered with a smirk —one that was very confusing.
When both girls turned to look at him, he deliberately turned to others instead. "You have just made this far more entertaining. Now I am curious —just how much do you all truly stand by your words?"
Liam, Bryer and Xavier exchanged tense glances before Liam asked, "What do you mean?"
"Nothing that hasn't been in my intent from the very start," the man replied in an obvious tone.
"You —"
Bryer took a step towards him; however, just then the man smiled, casually reaching behind his back to pull out his gun. "Beware!"
Charlotte gasped sharply.
But before anyone could react, he lifted his other hand and pointed toward the chairs.
Only then was everyone reminded again of the real threat.
Thin metallic bands were locked around both Adelyn's and Clara's wrists —wires trailing from them, leading beneath the chairs.
"Pressure-triggered," the man said lightly. "Another wrong move, another rushed step forward … and they will explode."
Liam's breath hitched.
Bryer's face went pale, and he stepped back … reluctantly.
Xavier stiffened, his fists clenching uselessly at his sides.
"Remote controlled too," the man added, lifting a small device between his fingers. "So don't even think about being heroes. You will become the reasons they die."
Silence fell heavily.
"What do you want exactly?" Liam asked through the grit of his teeth.
"I just want to know," the man continued, turning his gaze back to the sisters, "what it feels to be born as the cherished one. And what it truly means —to give up everything to protect someone. And if they compete against one another, who will win?"
His words evoked nothing but mystery, which only made the Scott brothers frown in confusion.
Charlotte's heart pounded violently, desperation clawing at her chest. Yet she didn't move —knowing one wrong step would cost her daughters their lives.
"Please," she said hoarsely. "Just tell us what you want and let my daughters go. Don't play the game of words."
The man looked at her for a long moment.
Then, instead of snapping, he nodded calmly.
"Fine, since that's what Lady Scott wants, then we won't be playing any game of words. Nor will I ask you to decode the meaning behind my previous words."
Relief flickered briefly in Charlotte's eyes —only to be crushed by his next words.
"All I ask," he said with a smirk, "is that you choose."
"Choose?" Charlotte frowned, confusion tightening her voice.
"Oh, Madam Scott," he said, amusedly. "Now, there are no games, no mysteries —yet you still don't understand?"
His gaze shifted to the two bound women.
"I want you to choose between your daughters. Choose one —and you may take her home. Safe. Alive."