Chapter 273
If the kidnappers were after money, the Carltons and Millers could easily fulfill their demands. Ethan feared that they might want something even more precious than money.
Otto was in his wheelchair. His hands gripped the armrests so tightly that his veins were popping. Chris had a severe
expression. The on-lookers might not know, but they did. Money was not an issue, but they could not risk exposing Ethan’s true identity.
Even if they had to give up on Marina, they had to protect Ethan’s secret. Otto and Chris looked each other in the eye and instantly came to an agreement.
Even though their family member’s life was still at risk, they had no choice. They had to keep the secret at all costs.
Chloe didn’t know anything. She kept weeping and said, “Tell us! Please tell us what you want. We’ll give you any amount of money you want.”
“Mrs. Carlton, your tears are truly touching. Even a stranger like me can’t help but feel moved,” the person said. Although the words were spoken with a tone of regret, it sounded chilling to those who heard it.
The person then added, “I wonder who those tears are for. Are they for your biological daughter or your stepdaughter?” Chloe sniffed and said, “They’re both my daughters. What difference does it make?”
The person chuckled. “Of course, there’s a difference. Even if you think you love them equally, there has to be a difference. I don’t want anything. I just want to play a game.
“I trust everyone has seen bomb squads defusing bombs in TV shows, right? There are always two wires. Cutting the right one diffuses the bomb, but the wrong one … Bang!”
The person imitated the sound of a bomb exploding, startling everyone.
“Here’s what’s going to happen. The two of them are tied in red and blue ropes respectively. In one minute, you have to pick one for me to cut.”
These words caused an uproar among the guests.
“What do you mean by that? Cutting one of them loose? You want them to choose who dies?”
“You’re rotten to the core, asking someone to choose one of their family members to kill!”
“Who gave you the right to decide if they live or die?”
Ethan and the Carltons were also stunned. They didn’t expect such an outrageous demand.
Even though Ethan’s secret would be safe, this situation wasn’t much better.
Marina screamed, “Ethan, I’m your fiancée and Connor’s mother. Save me! You have to save me!”
Chris fell silent. Marina was his daughter, so naturally, he wanted Ethan to save Marina. But he couldn’t bring himself to say those words out loud.
Otto didn’t even hesitate. “Save Marina. It’s clearly the right option.”
Otto was sure it was an easy choice to make. Olivia was the woman Ethan had already abandoned, while Marina was the fiancée who could bring him status and wealth.
The person said, “Mrs. Carlton, what about you? Who will you choose?”
“Me?”
Chloe’s face was filled with panic.
“That’s right. One is the stepdaughter you love; the other is the daughter you abandoned. I’m really curious who you’ll choose.
Chapter 273
2/2
People in the crowd began to chatter.
“Isn’t that obvious? She’d definitely pick her own flesh and blood: How could a stepdaughter compare to the child she bore for ten months?”
“But she’s hesitating
It seems Ethan only ever married Olivia to take revenge for what happened to his little sister. While Olivia is plagued by her sickness, he holds her chin and says coldly, “This is what your family owes me.” Now, she has no family and no future.
Her father becomes comatose after a car accident, leaving her with nothing to live for. Thus, she hurls herself from a building. “The life my family owes will now be repaid.” At this, Ethan, who’s usually calm, panics while begging for Olivia to come back as if he’s in a state of frenzy …
