This was the moment Stephen had been waiting for.

James had finally fallen into his hands, and now he had the chance to capture James and his entire network in one sweep.

Outside, Stephen’s men were lying in wait-not just snipers, but also mercenaries he had urgently brought back from abroad the night before.

When Stephen arrived earlier, he had carefully assessed the situation. Just as he had anticipated, James had very few people left to rely on in Orkford. The men present were basically all the forces James had left in the country.

According to the rescue plan Stephen had devised the night before, if everything went smoothly, he could save Tessa while simultaneously capturing James and his remaining operatives in Orkford.

However, the plan required Stephen to take a tremendous risk. If it failed, neither he nor Tessa would make it out alive.

Success was within reach, but something unexpected happened.

Stephen hadn’t anticipated that James would send someone to capture Seline.

“Save Seline. Stephen, please save her.”

Tessa, still cradled in Stephen’s arms, clutched his collar tightly, her eyes filled with desperation.

Stephen’s expression darkened, his thoughts unreadable. This opportunity had taken him too long to secure.

They were now in Silverstone, the border of Orkford, and beside them was Arcton. The helicopter was right in front of them. If James managed to escape back to his stronghold in Arcton, it would be nearly impossible to deal with him in the future. But James was using Seline as a hostage, forcing Stephen to tread carefully. Stephen lowered his gaze. His heart ached when he saw Tessa’s pleading eyes. Inside the hovering helicopter, Seline was crying and struggling.

“Help me, Tessa! Help!”

James wasn’t in a hurry. He stood there, smiling as he waited. He knew the snipers outside were using red dot sights, which improved accuracy if the

during high-stakes shots. Ecuracy

target moved quickly or swayed, the buffet could still hit its mark with deadly precision.

Thus, the chances of James and

men escaping alive were almost

nonexistent. No matter how fast they moved, they couldn’t dodge a sniper’s bullet under a red dot sight.

James watched Stephen with calm amusement. Death didn’t scare him.

He truly wanted to know what Stephen would choose. In his eyes, sacrificing a little girl to eliminate a lifelong enemy and his entire

network was a no-brainer. Afteel

human life had never been precious or worth protecting.

After a long pause, Stephen said, “Let go of Seline. I’ll let you leave, but your men shall stay behind.”

James was surprised by his response, yet it also made sense. He smirked and pointed at Liam. “I’m taking him with me.”

Liam had been by James’ side for years. He was his most capable right-hand man and the best fighter, aside from James himself.

Liam could handle many tasks effortlessly, and James wasn’t about to give up such a valuable asset.

Stephen said icily, “No.”

James snorted, unbothered. “Fine. I don’t mind tossing the girl out, then.”

Tessa tightened her clutch on Stephen’s collar, causing him to purse his lips. After

a moment, he relented. “Fine.”

“To the rooftop,” James said casually before striding toward the stairs.

Five floors up was the rooftop.

The helicopter followed, rising to meet them at the top.