He pressed a small knife against Fiona''s neck, his voice dripping with malice. "Your mom owes me big time, and now it''s your turn to settle the score!"


    With that, Isaac yanked Fiona up from the couch.


    The Devonport Police Department had quickly surrounded the entire neighborhood, ensuring all the residents were evacuated in no time.


    James stepped out of the car, and an officer used a loudspeaker to announce, "Isaac, you''re surrounded. You''ve got three minutes to release the hostage, or else."


    Isaac had already dragged Fiona downstairs. Alec saw Fiona with a knife to her throat, and his heart dropped. He jumped out of the car and raced towards her. "Fiona!"


    "Stay back!"


    Isaac shot Alec a deadly re, warning, "One step closer and she''s done for!"


    "Mr. Deston, given that you share the samest name as my mom, if you drop the knife now, I''ll vouch for you."


    "You think I''m stupid? Let you go now, and it''s curtains for me!"


    Isaac turned his gaze to James and Alec. "I want five hundred million! And get me a ne ticket and a passport, or she''s dead!"


    James remained stone-faced, showing no intention of negotiating with Isaac.


    Isaac continued, "I''ve done my homework on yourpany. Five hundred million is chump change for you! Trading this little sum for Sophie''s daughter is a steal!"


    Alec watched closely as Isaac held Fiona hostage.


    James, however, simply lifted his hand and instructed the officers, "Everyone, fall back."


    "Fall back?"


    The officers thought they''d misheard.


    Backing off now would just give the kidnapper a chance to harm the hostage, right?


    They had snipers ready, just waiting for James''s go-ahead to take Isaac down.


    There was no need for this hassle.


    "I said fall back."


    Without even ncing at Isaac,


    into


    Sordered all the officers


    bears and to leave


    s to


    back


    Alec was reluctant to go, but James had someone drag him away.


    Isaac was floored as he watched all the officers retreat.


    "You! Who told you to leave?! Get back here! Are you mocking me?!"


    Isaac shouted frantically, but the only response was the exhaust fumes from the police cars.


    Fiona sighed.


    Why didn''t Mr. Deston get it?


    If it was just him, she could handle it alone.


    "Mr. Deston, it''s no use. They''re gone."


    Fiona''sment ignited Isaac''s fury.


    "You think you can look down on me? I''ll kill you!"


    Isaac moved to sh Fiona''s throat.


    But before he could act, a voice


    called You


    t from not far away, "Dadet


    hurt Fiona! She''s my best


    3 adet


    Betty ran up and shielded Fiona.


    "Get out of the way!"


    Isaac pushed Betty aside.


    Seeing her friend being bullied,


    Fiona''s brow furrowed. In the next


    moment, with a swift move, she


    flipped Isaac over her shoulder, mming him to the ground


    BUMS