Chapter 236

Susan Thompson's heart clenched when she heard the unfamiliar male voice on the phone.

"Don't touch Daniel!"

Her nails dug into her palms as her voice trembled. "Where are you? What do you want?"

Daniel took evening walks in the square every day. This madman must have snatched him there.

The eerie silence on the other end nearly suffocated her. She gripped the phone until her knuckles turned white. "Please don't hurt him! I'll give you anything!"

Memories of South Mountain Cliff flooded back. The image of Daniel being thrown over the edge flashed through her mind. A crushing pain struck her chest, bending her double.

"Speak! What have you done to Daniel?!"

Lucas Lynch's icy voice finally responded. "Susan, remember Louis Lynch? My brother!"

"Andrew Lucas had him killed in a hit-and-run! Today, I'll use Andrew's blood to avenge him!"

"Tell him to come to South Mountain Cliff within an hour, or—" Lucas sneered, "I'll chop the brat into pieces and feed him to dogs!"

"Last time, he was lucky to survive. Let's see if he can cheat death again!"

The call ended abruptly.

Susan stared at the blackened screen, her body turning cold. Trade Andrew for Daniel? The man who couldn't even let go of Nicole Capra—how could he risk his life for Daniel?

She frantically redialed, but only got a busy tone.

"Susan, is Daniel in trouble?"

Andrew's voice suddenly sounded beside her. He'd heard everything.

He took her freezing hands. "Don't be afraid. I'll bring him home."

Before she could react, he'd already rushed out of the private room.

The lingering warmth in her palm stunned her. Was he really going? Wasn't he afraid to die?

Tears spilled over. Limping on her sprained ankle, she chased after him—only to see the taillights of his Koenigsegg vanish into the night.

"I'll use Andrew Lucas's blood to avenge my brother!"

Lucas's words exploded in her ears. Susan flagged down a taxi, trembling. "South Mountain!"

She didn't understand why Lucas blamed Andrew for his brother's death. But she knew one thing—Andrew was going there to trade his life for Daniel's safety.

He was willing to die for Daniel.

The neon lights outside the window blurred into streaks. Wiping her tears, Susan clutched her aching chest.

Daniel was her life.

But the man she'd once loved and hated—wasn't he also?

The bitter wind cut like knives. When Susan reached the cliff, she saw Daniel pinned near the edge, his small face deathly pale.

Lucas's thugs brandished machetes, their faces twisted with malice.

Andrew stood under the lights, his suit jacket flapping in the wind. His gaze fixed on Lucas, colder than ice.

"Let him go."

"Andrew Lucas, do you think we're fools?" Lucas laughed wildly. "This is your own son! Even if you won't trade your life, killing him will give my brother peace!"

Daniel lay quietly by the cliff's edge. He didn't cry or struggle—just stole one glance at Andrew before lowering his head.

He loved his father. But he remembered—this was where his father had abandoned him.

"Mom and Dad should go home," Daniel whispered. "I'll be okay."

Tears fell silently. "Dad should treat Mom better... Mom should give Dad another chance..."

He forced a small smile. "I love you both."

Andrew suddenly stepped forward, his voice steel.

"Tell me. How do you want me to die?"