Chapter 2

Bang!

The cable car rocked wildly, now dangling by only a single cable.

Richard was flung out the window by the force, clutching a jade lock necklace engraved with the Grant family crest.

Edward's assistant caught sight of it and shouted, "Mr. Grant, isn't that your father's?

"Back in Southport, your dad found two emeralds and made one for you and one for himself. Is that really your father out there?"

His words made Edward's expression turn serious. Before he could even think, Susan jumped in, stirring the pot. "The Carter Family is just the worst.

"Linda snatched my place as Mrs. Grant, and her dad took your father's necklace.

"Always stealing.

"Edward, didn't you call your parents last night? They're supposed to be in the Coral Isles on vacation. How could they suddenly be riding a cable car with Linda?"

Her words snapped Edward out of it, and the worry on his face vanished in an instant.

I clung to Richard for dear life, bracing my feet against the doorframe, a deep sense of helplessness rising in my chest.

They really were in the Coral Isles last night, but they flew back overnight just to help me figure things out with Edward and give me advice, and made me promise not to tell anyone.

We were supposed to ride the cable car together, but after waiting and waiting, Edward never showed up. Instead, we got a breathtaking sea of fireworks.

After Richard lost consciousness, his body went limp and heavy, and the momentum kept dragging him down.

My arm was already dislocated, the pain so intense that I couldn't even get a word out.

But I couldn't let him plummet from this hundred-meter height and crash to his death.

I squeezed my eyes shut and shouted, my voice practically pleading, "Edward, please, save Dad. If you don't help him now, you'll regret it for the rest of your life."

But I never thought Edward would lose his mind like this. He raised the shotgun again, aimed straight at my wrist, and pulled the trigger.

"Don't try to play the family card with me. I have only one father, and he's vacationing in the Coral Isles," Edward said coldly. "I told you today, I'm going to make you taste the agony of losing your loved ones."

The impact from the bullet left my hand completely numb and useless.

Richard plummeted straight down the cliff like a stone, and I could only watch, my heart torn apart with agony as he vanished from sight.

"Richard!" I screamed.

The cable car was hanging by a thread. Nora's fate was uncertain.

I was losing too much blood, and my vision was starting to blur.

Edward lounged in the helicopter, swirling a glass of wine like he didn't have a care in the world.

Susan nestled in his arms, tilting her head up.

"Edward, why don't we do something fun?" she said.

Edward was totally wrapped around her finger. He tapped her nose playfully, his voice dripping with affection. "Anything for you."

Susan's grin stretched even wider. She clapped her hands in delight, and a bodyguard showed up with a massive beehive trapped in a net.

She admired her nail polish, then puckered her lips and pointed them at the cable car. "Toss it in."

The beehive was hurled into the cable car, and the venomous bees peeked out cautiously before swarming straight at me and Nora, buzzing like they were out for blood.

I couldn't dodge fast enough. One of them nailed me right on the arm, and a huge welt popped up, turning red and swollen in seconds.

"Rumor has it these venomous bees work wonders for heart problems. Linda, I'm just being nice and helping your mom out, so don't push your luck," Susan said.

Susan grinned smugly, shot a look at the bodyguard, and suddenly a whole bucket of honey was dumped right on us.

The sickly sweet smell filled the air, and the venomous bees went into a frenzy.

Gritting my teeth, I yanked my jacket out of my backpack and pulled it over Nora and me as fast as I could. We were a wreck.

Edward and Susan's shrill laughter echoed through the valley, making us their entertainment.

The sudden movement made the cable car rock violently again.

Nora and I were flung to the side, slamming hard into the doorframe.

Suddenly, I spotted a heart pill lying in the corner.

Ignoring the stings from the venomous bees, I snatched it up and shoved it into Nora's mouth.

Then I gave the beehive a vicious kick, sending it flying out of the cable car and down into the valley, with the venomous bees swarming after it.

Finally, I let out a breath and slumped down on the floor.

Nora was still weak and barely holding on. When she realized it was just the two of us in the cable car, she suddenly grabbed my hand.

"Where's Richard?" she asked.

At the mention of Richard, my eyes instantly welled up with tears, and I silently turned my head away.

Nora got it instantly, but Edward's sharp, mocking laughter kept echoing in the air.

Edward sneered. "That old hag of a mother of yours still isn't dead yet? Want me to send you both on your way?"

Another shot rang out, slamming into the cable.

Nora's nails dug into her flesh, her hatred for Edward so intense she wished she could tear him apart. She frantically searched herself, finally pulling out a flare gun from her pocket.

"Linda, fire the signal for the Grant Security Team. Get them here to save us," she said.

Her body was in terrible shape, and after forcing out those words, she fainted.

I didn't waste a second. I fired the flare straight up into the sky.

The flare shot straight up, bursting into a dazzling display of colors a thousand meters above the ground.

It was even more eye-catching than the breathtaking sea of fireworks Edward had set off for Susan.

Edward couldn't sit still anymore. He slammed his hand on the chair and shot to his feet.

"My mom actually gave you this?" he blurted out.

The flare went off, signaling that the one in charge was in danger. Help was needed, and fast.

As a member of the Grant Family, Edward knew exactly how serious this was. Once the Grant Security Team showed up, there was no way to keep this under wraps.

"No way. I can't let my parents find out," Edward said, his eyes flashing with murderous intent.

He reloaded, cocked the gun, and aimed it right at my head.

Susan's eyes lit up, practically sparkling with anticipation.

"Finish her off, Edward! Shoot her," Sue urged. "Once she's dead, all the trouble disappears."

That was exactly what Edward wanted. Without a second thought, he pulled the trigger.

Bang!