The Promise of Happiness novel Atalie and Samuel

Chapter 102
Despite being helpless, Xavian protectively nudged Sophia to stand behind him.
His heart thumped for a moment. Even so, he did not show a single trace of his anxiety in front of the terrified Sophia.
He mustered all his courage before locking eyes with the man who had a scar on his face. “We‘re mere children. Why are you
kidnapping us?”
“Please. Who do you think you are?” The scar–faced man sarcastically said while scratching his chin. His gaze then swept past
Xavian and landed on Sophia. “Sweet little Sophia Bowers over there is the one we want, not you. The Bowers family will have
no choice but to fulfil our demands if we hold her captive.”
The Bowers family? Sophia?
The pieces finally clicked together in Xavian‘s mind as he now understood what was happening
This little girl standing behind me is Samuel‘s daughter.
“S–Scared.” Tears poured from Sophia‘s eyes as her tiny body trembled fervently.
She had been highly guarded by the Bowers family her entire life.
There were times when she tried to sneak out for fun in the past. That led to two outcomes; someone would catch her right
before she could leave her home, or Franklin would get assigned to accompany her.
Today was her first time successfully sneaking out alone to find Natalie. Unfortunately, she failed to find the latter and had
somehow ended up in the clutches of the evil scar–faced man.
The man briskly grabbed Xavian‘s shoulder as if he were toying with a vulnerable ant.
To that, Xavian retaliated. He grabbed the man‘s arm and bit down hard, leaving two jagged rows of bloodied teeth marks.
“How dare you bite me, you rabid dog? I’ll finish you off here and now!” The scar
faced man broke free of Xavian and flung the latter onto the ground.

As Xavian‘s body crashed landed, he let out a series of loud gasps. It felt as if all his bones had snapped at once.
No! I can‘t give up now!
He wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth while clambering onto his feet to protect Sophia.
Before he could do anything, a hand patted his shoulder as a gentle voice spoke. “Hang on, Sweetheart. I have a task for you.”
A wave of relief and joy surged through Xavian as soon as he heard that.
“Mommy, you‘re here!”
“No child should have to witness a vicious fight,” Natalie stated with a piercing, cold gaze. “Xavian, I want you to take Sophia
over to that corner and cover her eyes. Don‘t forget to close your eyes too. You guys aren‘t allowed to look without my
permission, got it?”
“But-”
“Sweetheart, when has Mommy ever let you down?”
“I... I understand.”
“Good.”
At once, Xavian spun on his heels to calm and help Sophia settle in the corner. Meanwhile, Natalie turned toward the two
middle–aged men in front of her.
She had asked Yandel and Jerome to track down Sophia earlier but worried that Sophia would come looking for her. Hence, she
decided to look around her neighborhood for good measure.
Because of that, she chanced upon her son and Sophia, who got picked on by two men.
Blurry anger shrouded Natalie‘s vision. Any harm done to her son was enough to
strike a nerve in her. However, a fit of scorching rage seethed from her at that moment as she witnessed the men threatening
both Xavian and Sophia.

“You should mind your own business, lady. Hand over Sophia.” The scar–faced man spoke with a half–smile while taking a knife
out of his pocket. “Obey me, and I‘ll let you walk away unharmed.”
“Hand her over to you? Pfft. In your dreams!”
“How dare you!” Feeling provoked by Natalie‘s sharp retort, the man bolted over and tried to stab her
Natalie dodged sideways in a flash, narrowly escaping the blunt edge of his knife before landing a forceful jab on the man‘s
abdomen.
Utter shock flashed on the man‘s face. He had not expected Natalie to dodge his attack with such grace and skill. Annoyed, he
barked at his accomplice, “What the f*ck are you standing around for? Hurry up and finish her off this instant!”
It was evident that someone had paid the two men to kidnap Sophia as they were willing to use any means necessary.
They quickly drew their knives and surrounded Natalie.
The men continuously attacked her for some time. It did not take long before she grew weary, and her dodging speed slowed
down.
Eventually, the knife of the scar–faced man made a deep cut on Natalie‘s arm.
Not wanting the children to worry, she bit her lip and continued fighting off the men without making a sound.
A second cut soon formed on Natalie‘s arm.
Then, one of the men managed to slash another cut on her upper arm.
Thick, warm blood began to ooze from each cut. A sharp stinging pierced through Natalie‘s entire arm, rendering her weak and
unable to exert any strength.
It was then that a Hummer sped over to the scene.
A tall figure got out of the driver‘s seat. In an instant, a hostile aura emanated into the space around them.