Read this novel at subscribestar.adult/fallenhead Illustrations Posted on subscribestar Read Exclusive subscribestar at subscribestar.adult/fallenhead Chapter 3 Part 3 Gunshots The “waiter” fired into the ceiling and then grabbed my father‑in‑law around the neck, dragging him up out of his seat and jamming the pistol against his temple, sweeping his wild gaze across the room.
“Don’t any of you move if you want this old man alive.” With everyone staring at him, the man crouched behind my father‑in‑law, half his face peeking out, twisted in a savage grin.
Nick pulled Mother‑in‑law clear of the crowd, shielding her with his body.
“Team One and Two, seal off the downstairs.
Teams Three and Four, guard the back door.” Captain Leon snatched up a microphone and barked orders, feeling like his police career was finished.
A billionaire chairman abducted at his own birthday party?
The headlines would explode before the day was over.
What had started as a festive banquet descended into chaos, leaving everyone stunned.
“Don’t be rash.
Put Chairman Gerald down.
We can talk.” Derek’s voice suddenly rang out.
At that moment I really wanted to slap him.
If he hadn’t said “Chairman Gerald,” the hostage taker might not have realized who my father‑in‑law was.
“Idiot, shut up!” Even Nicole was furious, stomping on his foot and yanking him back.
“Everyone listen up, I don’t have much patience.” “If you want this so‑called ‘chairman’ to live, you’re going to do exactly what I say.” The thug had dragged my father‑in‑law to a corner, his gaze sweeping the crowd like a rabid wolf.
A dozen officers had drawn their pistols and surrounded him, closing the circle little by little.
“Commissar Lydia…” I don’t know when Captain Leon crept up behind my mother, speaking in a low, cautious voice.
My mother folded her arms, not turning around.
She glanced at the kidnapper ranting in the corner, then at the guests pulling out their phones to film what was happening.
Her dignified oval face was calm and cold.
“Report everything you have on the suspect.
Keep it brief.” With a political and legal affairs chief speaking, what small‑fry captain would dare hold anything back?
Leon hurriedly organized his thoughts and then rattled off the information at my mother’s ear.
“The suspect’s street name is Larry.” “His exact hometown and address are still under investigation.” At the words “still under investigation,” my mother’s peach‑blossom eyes flashed with ice and she skewered him with a look that made him shiver.
“He likely crossed over from Caiyun Province and is now on the run in our area selling a new drug called ‘Black Lust’.
We locked onto him the moment he entered Handong.” “We got a tip that he’d be making his first deal in the city today.” “We were hoping to follow the trail and take down his entire network.” “But…” Hearing this, my mother’s face, cold and dignified, took on a hint of contempt and she snorted softly.
“But you didn’t expect him to slip into the Donglai Hotel, nor did you know Chairman Gerald would have his banquet here today, nor that I’d be attending, right?” “You saw my license plate in the parking lot and hesitated, wondering if you should come up and ruin my night, didn’t you?” “After all, everyone here today is a major figure in our city.
You’re afraid if you mishandle this and let the suspect slip away, your own career will suffer?” “Well, with dead weight like you around, I’m sure Lewis Liu’s team won’t get too far.” After that verbal thrashing, sweat streamed down Captain Leon’s forehead.
Listening from the side, I glanced at him, bent at a ninety‑degree angle at the waist.
So he was one of Mayor Lewis’s lapdogs after all.
“Enough.
This isn’t your show anymore.
Tell your men to seal the building tight.
If anything else goes wrong, not even Lewis will be able to save you.” Leon blinked in surprise, wanting to say more, but one icy look from my mother shut him up.
He nodded and took his men out, pushing the guests out of the hall.
When the doors shut, only our family and the man holding my father‑in‑law remained.
I looked around, about to speak, when my mother beat me to it.
“Wesley, stay here.” “Huh?
Oh.” Her sudden order left me confused, biting back questions.
Inwardly I thought, great, my dear mother is leaving the danger to her son.
“Diana, you take Nick and the others out first.” My mother then turned to my wife, whose worry for her father had left her flustered.
Diana pressed her lips together, about to protest, but my mother’s unyielding gaze made her fall silent.
She nodded, then led Nick and Mother‑in‑law away.
“Wesley, do you remember the listening game we used to play when you were little?” “Mom!” I nodded reflexively, then panicked.
Realizing she might confront the kidnapper alone, I grabbed her hand.
“Mom, he’s armed.” She smiled with calm confidence and gently pried my fingers loose.
“Don’t worry.
Have you forgotten I used to be a police officer?
I may not use my hands much now, but my skills haven’t faded.
In a crisis, saving lives comes first.” Then she stepped closer and slipped a small knife into my hand, whispering quickly.
“Wesley, I wouldn’t risk my life without some certainty.
This is a spring knife.
Press the button on the end of the handle and the blade will pop out.
Watch for my signal.” “Sometimes danger is opportunity.
Only by turning danger into opportunity can a person rise above the rest.” As my mother walked toward the kidnapper, I pulled out my phone and followed close behind, staring at her figure wrapped in that old‑fashioned administrative suit.
Was she risking everything for power, gambling with fire?
Either way, it was extremely dangerous.
I knew I couldn’t change her mind.
I gripped the knife in my pocket until my palm was slick with sweat and followed step by step.
Even then, something about her words felt off to me, as if she were hiding something.
What happened next proved I was right.
“Lydia, Aunt Lydia!” Before we’d gone far, Nick and my mother‑in‑law’s voices rang out from behind us.
“Helen, this isn’t the time for jokes.
I know you’re worried about Gerald, but leave this to me, alright?” My mother frowned slightly as she saw Mother‑in‑law hurrying toward us, pulled by Nick.
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