SWNOVELS Chapter 661: Hostage
Grandma Sterling heard the gunshots and knew danger was approaching. She realized it would be risky for Meredith to go out. "Meredith, don't go out," Grandma Sterling said, pulling Meredith back and handing her the child. "You're still young, with a long life ahead of you. I'm already near the end of mine. Go hide, listen to your grandma."
Meredith couldn't just watch the old lady take the risk. If something happened, she would blame herself forever and couldn't face Terrence. "Then let's go together," Meredith decided. "Grandma, while it's chaotic outside, maybe we can find a chance to escape."
Most ships have backup boats stored in the warehouse. If they could sneak into the warehouse, they might have a chance to leave. Grandma Sterling agreed with this plan. Meredith soothed her daughter, "Rowan, don't cry. Mommy is taking you away. You mustn't cry."
Little Lucky stopped crying, understanding her mother's words, and obediently clung to her. Meredith kissed her daughter's forehead and led Grandma Sterling out the door.
There was no one guarding the entrance; everyone had gone to the deck to deal with the Dark Knights. Gunfire echoed around them, and Meredith sensed people boarding the ship but didn't know who they were. Hearing the commotion, she quickly led Grandma Sterling through hidden paths.
This floor was deserted; everyone was upstairs. They found the warehouse filled with life-saving equipment and a small boat. "Grandma, put on a life jacket just in case," Meredith said, holding her child with one arm and handing a life jacket to the old lady with the other.
Time was tight, and the noise outside grew louder. Being at sea, if they fell into the water, they would need life jackets. Grandma Sterling put hers on first and handed another to Meredith. "Meredith, put this on too and give Rowan to me." Meredith handed Little Lucky to Grandma Sterling before putting on her own life jacket. She then started untying the ropes holding the boat, trying to lower it into the water-a challenging task.
The old lady placed Little Lucky on the ground and helped as well. They needed to hook the boat onto a davit for automatic lowering into the sea.
Meanwhile, Reginald realized who had arrived. The current strength of Celestial Alliance personnel couldn't match that of the Dark Knights. Reginald ordered his assassins to hold off the Dark Knights while he hurriedly went to the room where Grandma Sterling was held but found it empty.
"To the warehouse," Reginald commanded, rushing there with two assassins just in time to see Meredith lowering the boat into the water. Grandma Sterling already held Little Lucky on board, but Meredith hadn't gotten in yet. Reginald pressed his gun against Meredith's head. "You almost escaped."
Meredith froze in place. "Let them go; I'll stay."
Grandma Sterling stood on the boat with Little Lucky and shouted at Reginald, "Reginald, stop making mistakes! Give up now."
As she spoke, another boat approached them with Terrence and Visnove aboard.
Seeing Terrence calmed Meredith a bit; at least Grandma Sterling and Little Lucky would be protected with him there.
At that moment, Meredith wasn't thinking about her own safety but only about her daughter as a mother would.
Seeing Terrence arrive, Reginald grabbed Meredith forcefully and aimed his gun at her head again. Hearing no more noise from above deck, he realized his men were defeated and grew even more furious. "Terrence, you're ruthless," Reginald snarled. "You've left me no way out; now you'll pay for it. Let me go or your wife dies with me."