His Ex-Wife Is A Billionaire (Evadne and Thaddeus) novel Chapter 683

The name echoed, tugging at the frayed edges of Aaron's tightly wound heartstrings.

"Aaron, help me."

Marilla's pale face was streaked with tears, each one falling from her long lashes and landing on Aaron's chest.

He wanted to comfort her, but any reassurance could provoke the hostage-taker, making her situation even more perilous.

Aaron met Marilla's gaze before shifting his attention to the man's bloodshot, terrifying eyes.

"Don, take a breath, buddy. The girl's innocent. She doesn't know your story, never met those five kids - she's just an outsider here. How 'bout this: I'll be your hostage. Let her go, and you take me instead."

Marilla's teary eyes followed Aaron as he cautiously approached the captor, waves of guilt washing over her.

How could she have been so foolish? If only she'd waited patiently in the classroom for Lily to return. If only she hadn't been so clumsy, maybe she could've outrun this.

But it was too late for what-ifs.

As Aaron edged closer, Don roared, "Don't come any closer! I'll slit her throat and jump, we'll both be done for! Don't think I can't see right through you! You want to trade places and then fight me? You're a cop; you think I can take you? I've already taken two lives; what's one more at this point?!"

Aaron's face was stern, his heartbeat hammering against his ribs, "I get it; I really do. I don't have a daughter, but if someone hurt my sister like this, I wouldn't stand for it either. I'd want justice for my family."

Don's pupils shrank, the knife against Marilla's neck trembling, its cold blade biting into her skin.

"I know your daughter was a student here, that those five guys hurt her, right? School bullying, isn't that what they call it?"

Marilla's eyes widened in shock as painful memories exploded in her mind, ringing in her ears, a relentless barrage of taunts.

- "You idiot! Retard! Moron! You think you belong in school? Can you even understand what I'm saying?!"

- "She shouldn't be at a normal school; she belongs in an asylum!"

- "Stay away from her - she's crazy! Who knows, maybe it's contagious? Hahaha!"

The cruel laughter haunted Marilla like malevolent spirits. In agony, she shut her eyes tightly, her face ashen, her legs trembling, barely able to hold herself up.

Aaron sensed her distress, his heart aching as he spoke again, his voice hoarse, "I truly want to help you! You've made a mistake, but don't compound it with another. Your daughter's still fighting for her life in the hospital. You should be there for her, not pursuing revenge that will only lead you to ruin.

Imagine her waking up to find out her father turned into a murderer for her sake. She'll carry not only the pain of being bullied but also the burden of your crime. How can she bear it, so young and already so wounded? She's tried to end her pain once; do you want to push her to do it again?!"

Behind Aaron, his fellow officers looked on with admiration. Captain Ashbourne, though young, possessed the negotiation skills of a seasoned detective. His words were simple and powerful, striking at the heart.

Above all, he was sincere - a lethal weapon in any negotiation.

Not only did he aim to save the hostage, but he also empathized with the perpetrator, treating them as a victim, which often broke through their psychological defenses.

As expected, Aaron's heartfelt appeal seemed to reach Don.

"Don't feed me that bull! You cops talk a good game but can't do squat!"

But then, thinking of his daughter, battered and unconscious, rage clouded his judgment again, "I and my daughter, we've gone to the school authorities, to the cops, to deal with those five beasts more than once! Just because they come from influential families, they just walk out of the station without a scratch! How can I trust any of you?!"