Chapter 1404:

A faint sound echoed in the distance, like the steady drip of water.

Then everyone looked up.

Boom!

A powerful blast tore through the space.

With the last of her strength, Millie pulled herself over Ari, trying to shield her.

Since they arrived, Macauley had fired three shots. The first came when Millie fought back, and his reckless aim struck an oil barrel instead.

The bullet tore through the metal. It didn’t ignite, but it left oil pouring across the ground.

The second shot hit Millie’s leg.

The third shot, meant only as a warning, grazed the floor and threw off sparks that caught on the oil.

The fire spread fast, snaking across the slick ground toward the leaking barrel. When it reached the spill, the entire area erupted. A violent shockwave tore through the space, and the heat was enough to blister skin.

The streaming equipment was flung aside by the force, clattering away and vanishing into the dark.

Within moments, viewers saw nothing but darkness as the feed died abruptly.

Millie wrapped her arms around Ari, holding her as tightly as she could.

Ari cried against her chest, and Millie stroked her back, whispering, “It’s all right, baby. I’m here with you. Mom’s here…”

Through the roar of the flames came a woman’s scream, followed by a man’s furious shout.

Millie turned her head instinctively. She caught a glimpse of someone knocked to the ground, and two silhouettes struggling violently.

Boom!

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Another oil barrel went up in flames, sending a fresh surge through the air and hurling debris across the room. Millie saw stones flying toward them and immediately curled herself over Ari again.

The stones slammed into her back, and the heat washed over her skin. It was so hot she thought she might pass out from the pain.

“Damn it!” a voice shouted nearby—Macauley’s rough snarl rising over the crackling flames.

“Brandon, you dare ambush me!”

Millie didn’t dare look in their direction. Instead, she reached for the ropes binding Ari to the pillar.

Her right hand throbbed with every attempt to move it. Macauley had crushed it under his boot when she fought back earlier, and she wasn’t even sure whether it was broken. She couldn’t grip or pull; all she managed was to smear fresh blood across the ropes.

So she lowered her head and bit down on them.

“Millie… don’t worry about me,” Ari sobbed through her tears.

“The fire is everywhere… You have to get out now…”

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