Willow took a deep breath and looked at Jasper. She wondered, Just 10 minutes? How can Jasper defeat this guy in such a short time? This guy is mad. I can tell he's on Jasper's level. But how can Jasper focus on a duel when I'm here, holding his attention? "Don't worry about me, Jasper. Go! You don't have to do this for me," she pleaded with teary eyes.
Jasper shook his head and said firmly, "I'm not leaving." He took off his coat, revealing a gray shirt. His eyes locked onto Willow's with unwavering determination.
At this, Calvin sneered and launched an attack.
The two men clashed, every punch and kick carrying deadly force. Jasper was clearly distracted, and even though Willow remained silent, her presence weighed on his mind.
Suddenly, Calvin kicked Jasper to the ground and struck his abdomen with his elbow.
"Ah!" She cried out with tears streaming down her face and pleaded desperately, "Stop! Please, no more fighting." Desperate, she struggled against her handcuffs, causing her delicate skin to bear the brunt of her efforts. Yet, her focus remained firmly on Jasper.
Blood trickled from the corner of Jasper's mouth after a blow to his abdomen. As Calvin moved in to strangle him, Jasper blocked with his hand and forcefully shoved him away before rising to his feet.
With a contemptuous sneer, Calvin taunted, "You're weak, Jasper. Do you think you can challenge me? Where did your confidence come from?"
Jasper stood his ground and wiped off the blood on his mouth. "If you've got the guts, finish me off. Until then, you haven't won."
Those words only stoked Calvin's anger and amplified his desire to end Jasper's life and savor his suffering. "C'mon, coward, get back on your feet and fight," he taunted, signaling for a final showdown.
"Stop. Please… Just stop," Willow pleaded desperately as she sensed Calvin's murderous intent. She could see how determined Calvin was to take Jasper's life, especially since Jasper had already coughed up blood from an earlier attack.
Despite her pleas, no one paid any attention to her words. The countdown on the bomb strapped to her was down to seven minutes. Jasper glanced at the timer and defiantly challenged Calvin. "If you want my life, come and take it."
Seeing Jasper in a weakened state, Calvin felt even more triumphant and decided to use his fists to send Jasper out of this world. In a relentless attack, Calvin aimed to send Jasper into oblivion with his fists. Jasper managed to block some of the blows but was pushed back. Calvin noticed Jasper's weakening strength, and the desire to kill him intensified.
Calvin thought, Once I kill Jasper and Willow, my mission will be considered a success. The client only cares that someone from the Presgrave Family suffers greatly, not who dies.
Meanwhile, Willow witnessed the brutal assault on Jasper as he was on the ground and spitting out blood. Her heart shattered, and in that moment, she cared not for her own fate, even if it meant being blown to pieces. She couldn't bear to see Jasper die for her.
"Jasper, go! Don't worry about me!" she cried, tears clouding her vision and the wind tousling her long hair. Despair was etched across her face.
After hearing that, Jasper looked at Willow. Just then, Calvin turned to look at her as well. He sneered, saying, "Today, you'll watch your beloved woman die right before your eyes. I won't take your life just yet. I want you to witness how she shatters into pieces." With a twisted grin, he revealed a key hanging from his neck. "This is the key to unlocking her handcuffs, but unfortunately, you don't have the strength to take it from me."
Suddenly, he delivered a forceful kick to Jasper's chest. Jasper tried to block the attack, but Calvin grabbed his shoulder, forcing him to his knees. "I want you to keep your eyes wide open and see how she dies."
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: Night of Destiny (Anastasia and Elliot)